Ozzy Osbourne has become a pop culture fixture in his own right. Musically speaking, however, he will always be tied to Black Sabbath. The band all but solidified metal as a rock and roll subgenre, and the controversial singer was their perfect avatar. They created indelible music during their golden period, and then Osbourne went solo.
Ozzy Osbourne was a founding member of Black Sabbath in 1967. He sang and played harmonica on the band's first eight albums, the first three of which are considered classics. As the band's success waned, however, Osbourne's lifestyle proved to be at odds with the rest of the band. He left in 1979, and it was not on his own accord.
Ozzy Osbourne was fired in 1979
The lead singer was fired by bassist Geezer Butler, guitarist Tony Iommi and drummer Bill Ward. They had grown tired of Osbourne's incessant partying and drug use, despite the fact that they were doing the same thing in their own lives. Iommi was the most vocal when it came to firing Osbourne, feeling the singer was becoming sloppy in the studio and hindering their ability to make great music.
"We had to do something," Iommi told Raised on Radio in 2019. "Everything was coming to a head, and we had to say, 'Well, what are we gonna do? We're either gonna call it a day or break up, or we've gotta try and find another singer.'" Osbourne found success as a solo act in the 80s, but his alcohol and drug use in the subsequent years did nothing to disprove Black Sabbath's concerns.
Eventually, the band and the singer reconciled. They did a series of tour dates together in 1997, and remained largely intact into the 21st century. There were even plans to record a new Sabbath album in 2001, but they fell through when Osbourne stepped away to finish his solo project. The singer left again in 2006, then the legal drama began.
The singer has returned multiple times
In 2009, Ozzy Osbourne filed suit in a federal court in New York against Iommi. He claimed the guitar player illegally claimed the band name, despite being the only consistent member over Sabbath's 40 year existence. The suit was settled the following year, though the terms have yet to be disclosed. In an incredible turn of events, Osbourne and Iommi put their differences aside again to reunite for the Black Sabbath album 13.
Osbourne, Iommi and Butler joined forces for what remains the last Sabbath recording to date. They toured consistently between 2011 and 2017, with the album being released in 2013, then they parted ways. Don't worry, another reunion was around the corner. In February, it was confirmed the lineup we all know and love, consisting of Osbourne, Iommi, Butler and Ward would be getting back together for a Black Sabbath concert titled Back to the Beginning.
The concert will take place on July 5 in Birmingham, and is being pitched as the final Sabbath show ever. An absolutely messy way to get to the finish line, but we have to hand it to all four members for going out on their own terms. Few bands do.