No doubt everyone has already heard the news that we lost a true rock n roll legend last week, as Ozzy Osbourne passed away on July 22nd at the ripe old age of 76. What’s interesting about Ozzy is that he was probably best known to your average person for his notorious antics in the 80s and his admittedly amusing reality-TV show that became a bit of a sensation in the early 2000s. Which has got to be at least mildly annoying to many of his longtime fans (this one included), considering his reputation in the pop-culture realm often seems to overshadow his profoundly impactful contributions to the world of music. That, of course, includes the not-so-minor distinction of, you know, practically inventing the genre of heavy metal as the frontman for Black Sabbath.
Granted, Ozzy went on to have a very successful solo career after Sabbath, scoring several classic hits along the way; however, for this writer, his days in Sabbath and the massive influence thereof will always represent the pinnacle of his legendary legacy. So, being that it’s Manic Monday, let’s take a look at this killer performance of “Symptom of the Universe” live at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, 1978 (shortly before Ozzy was kicked out of the band). If “Symptom of the Universe” isn’t Sabbath’s heaviest song, it’s certainly high up on the list. Bang your head…
