When Black Sabbath emerged from Birmingham in 1968, the world wasn’t ready. It was still the era of flower power and psychedelic optimism—The Beatles were kings, Hendrix was bending minds, and peace was the soundtrack of a generation. But something darker was brewing under England’s grey skies, and Ozzy Osbourne—the soon-to-be “Prince of Darkness”—was at the heart of it.
Black Sabbath didn’t just play louder—they changed the language of rock. They weren’t following a scene; they were creating one. Their music was heavy, ominous, and urgent. And when their second album, Paranoid, hit in 1970 with its iconic title track, it marked a seismic shift. The cheerful tone of rock’s golden era gave way to something more intense. A new genre—heavy metal—had officially arrived.
Yet Ozzy’s own musical roots were surprisingly diverse. Despite his dark persona and pioneering role in metal, he has never hidden his love for melody. “I’ve always been a huge Beatles fan,” he’s said. And it shows—behind the heavy riffs, his appreciation for harmony and structure runs deep.
As Sabbath grew into a global force, Ozzy watched a new generation of bands rise in their wake. Rather than criticize or claim ownership of the genre, he celebrated its growth. Ozzy wasn’t a gatekeeper; he was a cheerleader for heavy music’s evolution.
Some of his favorite albums reflect this open-mindedness. One surprising pick? Led Zeppelin IV. Though not traditionally labeled metal, Ozzy insists it belongs in the conversation. “All of their studio albums are classics,” he’s said, “but this is one of my all-time favourites.” With tracks like “Stairway to Heaven” and “Black Dog,” Ozzy felt it was more than heavy enough to earn its place.
Another favorite hits closer to home: Highway to Hell by AC/DC. Ozzy adored the album—and the band behind it. “I love Brian Johnson,” he shared, “but to me, my good friend, the late Bon Scott, was the best singer AC/DC ever had. This album was like an addiction to me.”
Despite being one of the founding fathers of heavy metal, Ozzy never saw himself as the genre’s guardian. From the raw blues of Zeppelin to the anthemic power of AC/DC, he embraced it all. He didn’t build walls around metal—he helped build its foundation and then opened the doors wide for others to charge through.
Ozzy may be the Prince of Darkness, but his musical heart beats for melody, friendship, and the ever-growing power of rock and metal.
