Butler County musicians react to death of metal legend Ozzy Osbourne
As fans across the nation mourn and remember Ozzy Osbourne following his death, Butler County musicians in the metal scene share their own personal stories, and inspirations, revolving around the rock star.
Osbourne, lead singer for the metal band Black Sabbath, died at age 76 on Tuesday. His death shocked fans, as it came just weeks after his farewell performance in his hometown of Birmingham, England.
Osbourne had visited Butler County at least once before. In 2015, Osbourne, his son Jack and a group of about two dozen ate at Rachel’s Roadhouse.
However, his impact on the culture of the county extended beyond a brief visit.
Everett Foster is a Butler County musician, lifelong fan of Osbourne’s and one of the co-organizers of the upcoming Music Roundtable’s Williams Syndrome Band Bash in August. He said he was on his way to band practice when he heard Osbourne had died, causing him to shut down in sadness.
“I just couldn’t fathom in my brain that this icon who inspired so many, myself included, was now gone after such an amazing and mesmerizing career,” Foster said.
Foster said he never got the opportunity to see Osbourne or Black Sabbath perform live, but he has cherished his music as some of his favorite. Foster, who performs in metal bands of his own such as Neglekted Channel, said Osbourne’s work has served as a key inspiration for him and musicians around the world.
“This man built something so amazing in his life for so many people that no one ever will forget the name Ozzy Osbourne,” Foster said. “Even though he has left our world, his music will live on forever and continue his legacy for all to enjoy.”
Arlo Watt, a guitarist who plays alongside Foster in Neglekted Channel, had a similar reaction to Osbourne’s death. He said Black Sabbath was the third band that he truly fell in love with, behind the Beatles and Kiss.
“When I was 8 years old, I remember my dad showing me the cover of ‘Diary of a Madman,’” Watt said. “Then, I had to stop and listen once I heard Randy (Rhoads’) guitar and Ozzy’s vocals on ‘Over the Mountain’ coming out of the turntable.”
Now, at age 20, Watt said the inspiration Osbourne had on him has yet to wane.
“His work is still so influential to this day. Not even just to me, not even just that album, but all his work and everyone who was so blessed to hear his music,” Watt said.
Even though the metal legend is gone, Watt said he takes solace in knowing that Osbourne’s legacy is going nowhere anytime soon.
“It’s definitely going to be hard for a lot of us in the music scene, but we will still have his catalog and will always be just one click away from Ozzy’s voice.”
