Ozzy Osbourne, Heavy Metal Pioneer, Dies at 76

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Ozzy Osbourne showing his rings and hand tattoos
Ozzy Osbourne.

Ozzy Osbourne died on Tuesday. He was 76 years old. People called him the "Prince of Darkness." He was a pioneer of heavy metal music and a TV star.

This month, Ozzy gave his last concert in Birmingham, England. Birmingham was his hometown. He sat on a black throne and sang with his old band, Black Sabbath. The crowd was very excited.

Ozzy was born John Michael Osbourne in 1948. He had a hard time at school and left when he was 15. He worked many jobs. One job was at a place that killed animals for meat.

After he lost his job, Ozzy started stealing things. The police caught him. His father didn't pay the fine, so Ozzy went to prison for three months. In prison, he decided to change his life.

When Ozzy left prison, his father helped him. He bought Ozzy equipment to become a singer. In 1968, Ozzy met three other musicians. They started a band together.

The band took the name Black Sabbath from a horror movie. They made very loud music with heavy sounds. Ozzy sang about dark things. This was a new type of music - heavy metal.

Black Sabbath became very successful. They made eight albums in the 1970s. Young people loved songs like "Paranoid" and "Iron Man." Ozzy was the lead singer of the band.

Later, Ozzy left Black Sabbath and sang alone. He made 13 platinum albums. Many people bought his music. But Ozzy said his scary image was just for the stage.

"All the stuff onstage, the craziness, it's all just a role that I play, my work," Ozzy said in 1992. "I am not the Antichrist. I am a family man."

In 2002, MTV made a reality show called "The Osbournes." The show was about Ozzy and his family at home. People saw that Ozzy was a loving father. A new generation of fans liked him.

Ozzy went into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame two times. First with Black Sabbath in 2006, then by himself in 2024. He was very important to rock music.

Published:

Sources: nytimes.com, theguardian.com

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Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary heavy metal (1) __________, has died at the age of 76. He was known for his powerful voice and wild performances that helped create the heavy metal music genre.

Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham, England, in 1948, Ozzy started his music career in the late 1960s. In 1970, he formed the band Black Sabbath with guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward. The band's dark, heavy sound was something completely new at the time.

Black Sabbath's first album was released in 1970 and became an immediate success. Their music was darker and heavier than anything people had heard before. Songs like "Iron Man" and "Paranoid" are still popular today.

In 1979, Ozzy left Black Sabbath to start his solo career. His first solo album, "Blizzard of Ozz," was a huge hit. The album included famous songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley." Ozzy was not (2) __________ with just making music - he also became famous for his shocking behavior on stage.

Ozzy's wild lifestyle and unpredictable actions made him a celebrity beyond music. He once bit the head off a bat during a concert, thinking it was fake. This shocking act became part of his legend, but it also created health problems for him.

In the early 2000s, Ozzy and his family became reality TV stars with their show "The Osbournes." The show followed their daily life (3) __________ and showed a different side of the heavy metal star. People saw him as a loving father and husband, not just the "Prince of Darkness."

Throughout his career, Ozzy sold over 100 million albums worldwide. His music influenced countless heavy metal and rock bands. He changed the (4) __________ of what rock music could be and inspired generations of musicians.

Despite health challenges in recent years, including Parkinson's disease, Ozzy continued performing until the end. His final tour, "No More Tours 2," was actually his farewell to fans around the world.

Ozzy's death marks the end of an era in rock music. He transformed from a working-class boy from Birmingham into a global icon. His influence on heavy metal music will continue long after his death. The "Prince of Darkness" has left us, but his music and legacy will live on in (5) __________ forever.

Comprehension

Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click Check Answers to see your results.

  • Ozzy Osbourne gave his final concert in London.
    He gave his final concert in Birmingham, his hometown.
  • Ozzy was the lead singer of Black Sabbath.
    The article says he was the lead singer of the heavy metal group Black Sabbath.
  • Ozzy spent time in prison when he was young.
    He spent three months in prison after his father didn't pay his fine.
  • Ozzy had 13 successful albums as a solo artist.
    The article says he had 13 platinum albums in his solo career.

Comprehension

1. Ozzy Osbourne gave his final concert in London. TRUE/FALSE

2. Ozzy was the lead singer of Black Sabbath. TRUE/FALSE

3. Ozzy spent time in prison when he was young. TRUE/FALSE

4. Ozzy had 13 successful albums as a solo artist. TRUE/FALSE

Vocabulary n = noun, v = verb, adj = adjective, adv = adverb, prep = preposition, phr. v = phrasal verb, pl = plural

Loading vocabulary activity...

Vocabulary

Match each vocabulary word with a definition:

1. Pioneer (n)

2. Throne (n)

3. Equipment (n)

4. Crowd (n)

5. Fine (n)

6. Image (n)

7. Generation (n)

8. Platinum (adj)

a) A special award for selling many copies of an album.

b) All the people born around the same time.

c) The way people see or think about someone.

d) Money you must pay as punishment for breaking the law.

e) A large group of people in one place.

f) Things you need to do a job or activity.

g) A special chair for a king or queen.

h) A person who is one of the first to do something new.

Discussion

  1. What surprised you about Ozzy Osbourne's life?
  2. Why do you think heavy metal music became popular?
  3. Have you been to any concerts? Who was performing?
  4. Do you think musicians should have a different image on stage? Why?
  5. How can going to prison change someone's life?
  6. Have you watched any reality shows? Give some examples.
  7. Is it hard to be famous and have a normal family life?
  8. Do you like horror movies? Why or why not?
  9. Do you prefer solo artists or bands? Why?
  10. What kind of music is popular in your country now?

Answers

Listening:

  1. pioneer
  2. fine
  3. together
  4. image
  5. reality

Comprehension:

  1. False. He gave his final concert in Birmingham, his hometown.
  2. True. The article says he was the lead singer of the heavy metal group Black Sabbath.
  3. True. He spent three months in prison after his father didn't pay his fine.
  4. True. The article says he had 13 platinum albums in his solo career.

Vocabulary:

  1. Pioneer (n): A person who is one of the first to do something new.

  2. Throne (n): A special chair for a king or queen.

  3. Equipment (n): Things you need to do a job or activity.

  4. Crowd (n): A large group of people in one place.

  5. Fine (n): Money you must pay as punishment for breaking the law.

  6. Image (n): The way people see or think about someone.

  7. Generation (n): All the people born around the same time.

  8. Platinum (adj): A special award for selling many copies of an album.

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