KAINE FRONTMAN GIVES THANKS TO OZZY OSBOURNE – A HERO TO US ALL

I, like many Metalheads, am struggling to come to terms with the loss of Ozzy Osbourne. We never knew Ozzy personally, but he was a big part of the creation of Heavy Metal and our lives, and, without him, would it even exist? My bandmates and I have pondered since the news, without Ozzy, without Black Sabbath, we would have likely never met, never become friends, and never played music together. That is just how much of an impact Ozzy has had on our lives and everything we do.

Kaine guitarist, Toby Woods, jamming Bark at the Moon by Ozzy Osbourne

We are doing what we are doing today because of the music and sound that Ozzy Osbourne pioneered with Black Sabbath, and later what he achieved with his own band. We literally owe an entire aspect of our lives to the foundations that were laid by Ozzy and Sabbath, and that’s why it’s so hard to take. It’s heartbreaking but also doesn’t feel real. It’s weird having a connection like that to someone I never actually knew. But Ozzy shaped so much of my life.

Black Sabbath, for me, is a huge part of my life. I first heard the band properly when I popped into Virgin music in Colchester and bought Black Sabbath and Paranoid for a two-for-a-tenner deal, and was so impressed with the records I went back the next day to buy the next two!  I realise I am also showing my age by referencing a bricks and mortar Virgin music store! I started listening to Sabbath religiously after that, with my favourite ever album, and it’s hard to choose, being Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, but any of the first 6 Sabbath albums really are God-tier records in my opinion. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, however, just really stands out for me as that perfect Sabbath record. In terms of the Ozzy solo records, my favourites are Blizzard of Oz through to the Ultimate Sin, all absolutely incredible, pure 80s, Metal records. I also love the Speak of the Devil live album, which features exclusively Black Sabbath songs. I was lucky enough to see Ozzy play with Black Sabbath during the 13 tour, and it was one of the highlights of my life. I will never forget that gig, despite being hit in the back of the head multiple times by people lobbing what I hope were pints of beer into the air…

I have had many difficult times in my life, one time when I was young, I was having to commute to London for work, and my nearest station is miles from my house, so I had to get up silly early to walk, in all weathers, to catch the first train in. Every day, I had Sabbath playing on my Sony Walkman, walking in, and over that period, I got to know those albums intimately. Those records got me through those hard times and kept my mind busy on other things during the long, dark walks in the wind, snow to the stations (and back) and through dull train journeys, train cancellations, and the dreaded replacement bus services (when we were lucky to have those show up!).

I have read many books about Ozzy, and he was one of the most unique characters the world has seen. Between reading those stories and watching the Osbournes on TV, the man has had me in absolute tears of laughter. He was so distinctly English, so Brummie, and yet managed to become someone the world could relate to. On stage, he was an entertaining and energetic frontman, even in his later years. He always gave 100% and clearly loved his audience and appreciated the opportunity to play and be up there, for the people. He was both unique and ordinary at the same time. You could tell he was just a bloke from a Council estate, but one living his absolute best life.

Which brings me to another reflection I have had since learning of his passing. One of my dreams was to not only meet Black Sabbath but to one day play a gig supporting the band. Now, while I accept that the ship sailed on that long ago, it’s still hard to accept that I will never accomplish that dream. It may have been a childish dream to have, and it was always out of reach, but it was something in the back of my mind that I always wanted to do. I now have to accept, truly, that the dream is over. The opportunity for me to personally give thanks to, and play alongside my heroes, never materialised, and I will always regret not having that opportunity. I truly love Black Sabbath.

This is it. Ozzy Osbourne has finally passed on. Black Sabbath, the band that created Heavy Metal, is over. We will never see them again, there will never be another record or comeback. The finality of that is just hard to accept. Even with his final gig being played just a few weeks ago, you just expected Ozzy to somehow, as he always did, come back. I am grateful he got to play one last time, and reunite with Black Sabbath (and importantly Bill Ward) for one last performance, in Aston, at the mighty Villa Park, and close the curtain on his career in the best possible way. It was fantastic to see, even though I was not able to be there in person. Watching those clips back now has even more meaning. That was really it.

Ozzy Osbourne’s passing away is incredibly sad for me, and something that will take a while to get over.

Rest in Peace, Ozzy, and thank you for giving us the music that made all our lives just that much better. You gave us Metalheads, us working-class lads, something to aspire to. You were a hero to us all, and you will be sorely missed.

I just wish I could have thanked you in person.

Rage Sadler, Kaine