The Prince of Darkness as a Fan
For more than fifty years, the world knew Ozzy Osbourne as the “Prince of Darkness” — a man whose voice and stage presence defined heavy metal itself. But behind the growls, the theatrics, and the chaos, Ozzy was a lifelong fan first. He never stopped listening, never stopped admiring, and never stopped praising the bands that shaped him. Here are six groups he openly cherished, each leaving an imprint on his life and music.
The Beatles
It all began with The Beatles. Ozzy has often said that hearing She Loves You on the radio changed his life forever. Growing up in Birmingham with little more than dreams and noise, the Fab Four gave him hope. “If it weren’t for The Beatles, I probably wouldn’t be a musician,” he once admitted. Their harmonies, their energy, and their unstoppable rise convinced a young John “Ozzy” Osbourne that music was a way out.
Black Sabbath
Though it may seem obvious, Black Sabbath wasn’t just the band he fronted — it was the band he loved. He often described how Tony Iommi’s riffs, Geezer Butler’s lyrics, and Bill Ward’s thunderous drumming created something bigger than all of them. Even after their notorious fights and lineup changes, Ozzy remained proud of what they built together: a genre, a legacy, and a brotherhood.
Led Zeppelin
Ozzy frequently praised Led Zeppelin, particularly Robert Plant and John Bonham. He admired Plant’s voice, often saying it set the standard for every rock singer who followed. Bonham, meanwhile, was a friend as well as an idol. Ozzy loved their swagger, their musicianship, and the way they fused blues with heaviness — a combination that pushed Sabbath and countless others into new territory.
Metallica
As heavy metal evolved, Ozzy never stopped watching the new generation. He had a special admiration for Metallica, calling them one of the best bands to carry the torch. He took them on tour in the 1980s, and their relentless energy reminded him of his own early days with Sabbath. Their rise proved to Ozzy that the spirit of metal would never fade.
AC/DC
Few bands matched the raw power and straight-ahead rock energy of AC/DC, and Ozzy loved them for it. He often spoke about the simplicity of their riffs, the sheer force of their shows, and the ability of Angus Young to electrify a crowd in seconds. To Ozzy, they embodied everything rock should be: loud, unapologetic, and irresistible.
Slayer
Though known for his own shocking theatrics, Ozzy never hesitated to give respect to the extreme. He admired Slayer for their ferocity, precision, and refusal to compromise. For him, they were proof that heavy metal could always find new ways to push boundaries, terrify parents, and thrill fans.
Why It Matters
These six bands weren’t just names on a list; they were the soundtrack of Ozzy’s life. They inspired him, challenged him, and, in many ways, kept him going. From the hope of The Beatles to the fury of Slayer, his love for these groups reveals a man who, even after shaping a genre, never stopped being a fan himself.
And perhaps that was the secret to his longevity: Ozzy Osbourne never forgot the magic of being moved by music.