Ozzy Osbourne, the lead singer of Black Sabbath, is often referred to as the “Godfather of Metal” or the “Prince of Darkness.” He pioneered and shaped the heavy metal genre starting in the 1970s and has had an enduring influence over the past 50 years. But is Ozzy truly the undisputed king of metal? There are certainly many contenders for that title. In this article, we’ll examine Ozzy’s credentials and impact on metal, while also considering other musicians who could potentially claim the metal crown.
Ozzy’s Career Highlights
Here are some of the key achievements and contributions that support Ozzy’s metal royalty status:
- He was the founding member and lead singer of Black Sabbath from 1969-1979. Black Sabbath’s early albums like “Black Sabbath” and “Paranoid” laid the foundation for heavy metal with their sludgy, doom-laden sound.
- Ozzy’s unique and spine-tingling vocal style became an essential part of the Sabbath sound. His wailing vocals and dark lyrics defined metal singing for generations.
- He embarked on a highly successful solo career starting in 1980, with renowned albums like “Blizzard of Ozz” and “Diary of a Madman.” Ozzy’s solo work expanded on his Sabbath contributions and further cemented his godfather of metal status.
- His outrageous behavior and wildman persona (including biting the head off a live bat on stage) became synonymous with the excess and theatricality of metal.
- He pioneered the metal festival touring circuit, with Ozzfest starting in 1996. Ozzfest provided a platform for established and emerging metal bands to reach huge audiences.
- Ozzy has collaborated with a wide range of metal musicians over the past 50 years, lending his iconic voice and persona to their music. These collaborations have introduced Ozzy to new generations of metal fans.
Based solely on his body of work with Black Sabbath and as a solo artist, Ozzy has staked a strong claim as true metal royalty and the king of the genre. He was there essentially from the beginning, pioneering and shaping its core sound and aesthetics. Even at over 70 years old, Ozzy remains an active, beloved and relevant icon in contemporary metal.
Other Contenders for the Crown
Despite Ozzy’s immense contributions, there are other musicians and bands that could potentially challenge his claim as the king of metal. Here are some other contenders who have defined and drove the evolution of metal:
Robert Plant and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin, while not traditionally considered a “metal band,” had a huge influence on many early metal acts. Zeppelin’s thunderous riffs, guitar virtuosity, and mystical darkness can be seen as a key precursor to classic heavy metal. As the singer and guitarist duo at the forefront of Zeppelin, Plant and Page deserve some credit in metal’s origins.
Rob Halford of Judas Priest
As the lead singer of Judas Priest starting in 1973, Halford pioneered the leather-clad, high pitched vocal style that became synonymous with metal. Judas Priest also expanded on Black Sabbath’s gloomy sound with faster tempos and a more aggressive musicianship that drove the evolution of metal through the 1970s and 80s.
Ronnie James Dio
Dio first rose to prominence as the second lead singer of Black Sabbath, replacing Ozzy from 1979-1982. His addition made Sabbath sound even more metallic. Dio went on to have a storied solo career and has been hailed as one of the most influential vocalists in heavy metal history. With his mystical lyrics and soaring vocals, Dio also embodied the fantastical spirit of metal.
Eddie Van Halen
As the guitarist and principal songwriter of Van Halen, Eddie Van Halen is regarded as one of the most revolutionary instrumentalists in hard rock and metal history. His blindingly fast technical skills, pioneering use of two-handed tapping, and iconic riffs inspired countless metal axemen. Eddie defined a virtuosic solo guitar style that remains an essential element of metal music.
James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich of Metallica
Emerging in the early 1980s, Metallica married the speed of thrash metal to accessible songwriting, complex arrangements, and Hetfield’s unique singing style. Their seminal album “Master of Puppets” is considered one of the greatest metal albums of all time. The commercial and critical success of Metallica’s extensive catalog cemented them as metal royalty.
Slipknot
This masked and anonymous nine-piece band brought a visceral, violent edge to nu-metal and heavy music in the late 1990s. Slipknot’s intense live shows, aggressive music, and horror-inspired costumes make them emblematic of metal’s transgressive spirit. They brought metal to new creative and commercial heights at the turn of the 21st century.
Other Candidates
Many other metal musicians could be considered influential enough to warrant mention alongside Ozzy as potential rulers of the genre. Figures like Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden, Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead, Dave Mustaine of Megadeth, and the late greats Dimebag Darrell of Pantera and Chuck Schuldiner of Death all made major impacts. Ultimately though, Ozzy and Black Sabbath tend to stand above the rest when considering who truly launched metal into the cultural stratosphere.
Ozzy as the Metal Godfather
While numerous musicians have left their mark on heavy metal, Ozzy remains the most iconic and important figure when looking at the genre’s history and origins. Some key reasons why Ozzy Osbourne deserves to be crowned as king:
- Black Sabbath created the metal blueprint – Bluesy, doom-laden, darkly lyrical – back on their earliest records with Ozzy as the vocalist. Heavy metal sprang forth directly from those seminal Sabbath recordings.
- Ozzy is the most identifiable and longest reigning face of metal. His unique sound and persona are synonymous with the spirit of the genre.
- He maintained metal’s popularity and nurtured many younger bands via Ozzfest and collaborations over multiple decades. Ozzy’s continued relevance has helped metal thrive and evolve.
- His lyrics and themes form the foundation of metal’s obsession with the occult, horror, isolation, and rebellion. Ozzy gave voice to metal’s dark heart.
- Younger metal musicians almost universally pay homage to Ozzy and Black Sabbath as core influences. There is no “father of metal” more cited and revered.
Based on these lasting impacts and contributions, Ozzy seems to stand above other monumental metal figures as the one true king and godfather of the entire genre. While musicians like Dio, Dickinson, and Halford all deserve great credit and respect in metal history, Ozzy was the original blueprint and remains the most powerful representation of metal culture.
Conclusion
Ozzy Osbourne deserves to sit upon the throne as heavy metal’s reigning king and foremost icon. While others contributed immensely to metal’s evolution and popularity, Ozzy was there essentially from the beginning. The dark spirit and musical template that sprang forth from Ozzy and Black Sabbath back in the early 1970s remains the lifeblood that flows through the heart of heavy metal to this day. For these seminal early contributions, along with his long-running solo career and status as a living embodiment of metal, Ozzy has more than earned the title as the true godfather and undisputed king of heavy metal. No other musician so fully encompasses the rebellious, theatrical, occult-loving ethos upon which metal was built. Ozzy is a monolithic, bat-biting, larger than life figure who will forever be associated with the genre. Even as metal continues to spread to new generations and take on new forms, its rich history and origins can be traced back primarily to Ozzy Osbourne. All hail the king!