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Rest in Power, Prince of Darkness: Ozzy Osbourne Dies at 76—And Why We’re Talking About It on Classic 107
It’s a dark day for rock fans around the globe.
Ozzy Osbourne, the trailblazing frontman of Black Sabbath and the so-called Prince of Darkness, has died at the age of 76. Surrounded by family and love, Ozzy passed away on this morning, July 22. Just weeks prior, the legendary singer gave what would be his final performance—an emotionally charged farewell in his hometown of Birmingham, England.
Though Ozzy’s health battles were well known—he lived with Parkinson’s disease and endured numerous surgeries in recent years—his death still hits like a thunderous power chord. And while his impact on rock and metal is obvious, you may be wondering: why is a classical station like Classic 107 paying tribute?
Well, here’s the thing—there’s a long and surprisingly harmonious history between heavy metal and classical music. And few embodied that intersection better than Ozzy Osbourne.
Bach meets Black Sabbath
It may surprise some, but classical music and heavy metal are more than casual acquaintances—they’re kindred spirits. Both genres thrive on drama, complexity, and raw emotional power. Whether it’s a Mahler symphony or a metal anthem, you’re in for a rollercoaster of dynamics, virtuosity, and intensity.
Ozzy's own catalogue—especially his collaborations with classically inspired guitarist Randy Rhoads—reflects this link. Tracks like Mr. Crowley and Diary of a Madman are loaded with baroque flourishes and orchestral drama, with layered harmonies and meticulously crafted solos. These were metal operas in miniature.
Virtuosity with volume
Just as Paganini pushed the violin to its technical limits in the 19th century, guitarists like Rhoads, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Steve Vai did the same for the electric guitar. They weren't just riffing—they were composing in the tradition of Bach and Vivaldi, just with distortion pedals.
Ozzy recognized and embraced that kind of playing, and his bands gave those virtuosos the space to soar. Classical musicians often cite metal as a guilty (or not-so-guilty) pleasure—and for good reason. It’s music that demands discipline, precision, and a whole lot of guts. Sound familiar?
Rachel Barton Pine: bridging the gap
Violinist Rachel Barton Pine—one of the world’s top classical performers—is also a headbanger. Seriously. Not only did she play in a metal band for years, but she now commissions works that fuse classical orchestration with full-blown metal intensity. Her recent release Dependent Arising, composed by Earl Maneein, merges Buddhist philosophy, symphonic textures, and metallic fire in a way that would surely have made Ozzy proud.
And on February 27, 2025, Barton Pine premiered a new violin concerto by Canadian composer Harry Stafylakis with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra—a piece that blends shredding riffs and sci-fi storytelling. Talk about a fitting tribute to the enduring crossover of metal and classical.
From darkness comes light
Ozzy’s life was a study in extremes—from substance-fuelled chaos to tender, heartfelt moments with his family. His final show ended not just with power chords but with love: his daughter Kelly got engaged backstage. Ozzy joked, teased, and beamed like a proud dad. And then, he sang his final notes to a crowd of over 40,000 fans, many of whom had followed him since the early days of Black Sabbath.
He went out with fire and flair—just like a great symphonic finale.
A metal legacy in a classical world
So here we are—Classic 107, mourning the loss of a metal icon. But when you consider the overlap between these genres, it makes perfect sense. Metal has always borrowed from the emotional language of classical music. In return, classical musicians have found new audiences by embracing the energy, theatricality, and storytelling of metal.
Ozzy Osbourne may have never written a fugue or conducted a symphony, but his legacy echoes through concert halls and mosh pits alike.
Rest easy, Ozzy. The madness may be over—but the music plays on.
Suggested Listening:
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Mr. Crowley – Ozzy Osbourne (feat. Randy Rhoads)
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Diary of a Madman – Ozzy Osbourne
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Dependent Arising – Rachel Barton Pine & Earl Maneein
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The Call of Ktulu – Metallica & San Francisco Symphony
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Ride of the Valkyries – Richard Wagner