We’re now on Day 10 of our Black Friday “This Day in History” series, and today’s spotlight turns to one of the most iconic, unpredictable, and influential figures in rock and heavy metal.
Born on 3 December 1948, today we celebrate Ozzy Osbourne — the self-proclaimed “Prince of Darkness,” the accidental reality TV star, the metal pioneer, and the man whose voice practically is the sound of early heavy metal.
Whether you know him from Black Sabbath, his solo career, or The Osbournes, Ozzy remains one of the most instantly recognisable figures in music history.
Let’s look back at why he became such a legend.
🎸 Ozzy Osbourne — Born 3 December 1948
Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham, England, Ozzy grew up in a working-class household and often struggled in school. But what he lacked in academic success, he more than made up for in personality, performance, and an unmistakably powerful voice.
After dabbling in a few local bands, he reunited with guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward — and together, they unknowingly created an entirely new musical genre.
🕯️ Black Sabbath — The Birth of Heavy Metal
If you had to point to a single moment when heavy metal was born, many would point straight to Black Sabbath’s debut album in 1970.
The slow, ominous riffs, dark, doom-laden lyrics and Ozzy’s eerie, wailing vocals were unlike anything people had heard with a heavier, darker, more atmospheric tone which reshaped the rock landscape entirely.
Albums like:
- Black Sabbath
- Paranoid
- Master of Reality
became essential listening for fans of hard rock and metal. And songs like:
- War Pigs
- Iron Man
- Paranoid
- Children of the Grave
remain cornerstones of the genre.
Ozzy’s voice — urgent, haunting, impossible to imitate — became the signature sound of a movement.
⚡ The Solo Era — ReinvenTion and Global Stardom
After parting ways with Black Sabbath, many assumed Ozzy’s career would end.
Instead, he launched one of the most successful solo careers in rock history.
Working with guitar prodigy Randy Rhoads, Ozzy released Blizzard of Ozz (1980), which included:
- Crazy Train
- Mr. Crowley
- Suicide Solution
His follow-up albums continued the momentum, mixing theatricality, musicianship, and Ozzy’s unmistakable vocals into something entirely his own.
Even after decades of changing trends, Ozzy remained relevant, adored, and uniquely chaotic — in the best possible way.
📺 The Osbournes — A Reality TV Milestone
In 2002, Ozzy unexpectedly became a global household name again — this time not for music, but for reality television.
The Osbournes, featuring Ozzy, Sharon, Jack, and Kelly, became a cultural phenomenon.
It was chaotic, messy, unintentionally hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt.
It also paved the way for countless modern reality shows about celebrity families.
And through it all, Ozzy remained Ozzy — bewildered, endearing, and strangely wise.
🤘 Why Ozzy Osbourne Still Matters
Ozzy’s career spans more than half a century.
He helped invent heavy metal.
He sold millions of records.
He survived more self-inflicted chaos than most people could imagine.
And he remains a symbol of resilience, reinvention, and pure rock-and-roll energy.
With his health failing, a final concert, the "Back to the Beginning" benefit concert with Black Sabbath, was held on July 5, 2025, in Birmingham, with some of the greatest names in music there to support and show their love for Ozzy.
Anthrax, Metallica, Pantera, Guns and Roses, Slayer, Tool and Alice in Chains all appeared in person, with AC/DC, Def Leppard, Billy Idol, Elton John, Cyndi Lauper, Judas Priest, Marilyn Manson, and Dolly Parton recording video messages of love and admiration.
And then with magnificent, theatrical timing, Ozzy left us, barely 2 weeks later, leaving the music world bereft
Why Ozzy for 3 December?
Because today marks the birth of a man whose influence on music is impossible to overstate. Heavy metal wouldn’t be the same without him or even exist at all and few performers have lived a life so wild, so messy, and so iconic.
And because after yesterday’s deep dive into Pablo Escobar, today needed a very different kind of “outlaw.", one whose life was dedicated to creating rather than destruction.
What’s Your Favourite Ozzy Era?
Tell us:
👉 Black Sabbath Ozzy… or solo Ozzy?
👉 What’s your favourite Ozzy track?
👉 And did you ever watch The Osbournes when it aired?
Tomorrow is the final day of our Black Friday series — and we’re going out with a modern superstar