Ozzy Osbourne, the indomitable “Prince of Darkness,” passed away on July 22 at the age of 76 – just 17 days after his epic farewell concert – leaving behind a legacy that redefined rock music and popular culture. His death marks the end of an era for heavy metal’s founding father, whose raw energy, theatrical antics, and unyielding spirit captivated millions.

That’s how a journalist would write it, but I’m no journalist. I’m sort of a memoirist, a chronicler perhaps. And this is how I remember it.

As a typical suburban ‘80s kid who was drawn to his forbidden allure, thanks in no small part to the older brothers of nearly every neighborhood friend I had (in two different states), Ozzy’s greatness hits hardest in retrospect because of how his music became a seismic part of the soundtrack to my life.

So because I’ve been thinking about this for a while, here’s a humble fan’s tribute to Ozzy’s success, his post-Black Sabbath resurrection, the triumph of No More Tears, his multigenerational influence, and why he will always be revered and profoundly missed.

Fired from Black Sabbath in 1979 amid crippling alcohol and drug addictions, Ozzy faced oblivion. The band he co-founded in 1968 had pioneered heavy metal with doom-laden riffs on classics like Paranoid and Master of Reality, but Ozzy’s excesses derailed him.

Broke and despondent, he holed up in a hotel, binging on cocaine and booze, convinced his career was over. Enter Sharon Arden, his future wife and manager, who dragged him back from the brink.

Defying the odds, Ozzy assembled a killer band, including guitar virtuoso Randy Rhoads, and released Blizzard of Ozz in 1980, a solo debut that went multi-platinum with memorable hits like “Crazy Train.”

Despite Rhoads’ tragic plane crash death two years later, Ozzy soldiered on by recruiting talents like Jake E. Lee and Zakk Wylde, churning out hit albums through the remainder of the decade. In fact Ozzy outsold Sabbath, proving he wasn’t just a frontman but a resilient icon who turned personal demons into anthemic power.

Debatably – for some, I suppose, but not for me – No More Tears stands as his defining solo work, a polished quadruple platinum masterpiece blending hard rock with emotional depth, featuring the menacing title track – a plea for redemption amid addiction – and the heartfelt “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” co-written with the great Lemmy Kilmister.

Reviewers lauded No More Tears for broadening Ozzy’s appeal beyond the metal genre. Yet purists argue earlier efforts like Diary of a Madman captured his raw edge better, while Sabbath classics define his innovation.

Still, No More Tears showcased Ozzy’s evolution – mature, melodic, and vulnerable – and cemented his relevance among a slew of unbelievable bangers released in 1991 even amid the shadow of grunge’s rise.

Ozzy’s influence has spanned generations, birthing heavy metal with Sabbath’s dark, riff-heavy sound that inspired Metallica, Slayer, and Tool. His solo era influenced ‘80s hair metal and ‘90s nu-metal, with his Ozzfest festival launching acts like Slipknot.

Then of course there was the surprise hit reality show that humanized Ozzy for millennials, portraying a bumbling family man amid chaos, influencing shows like Keeping Up with the Kardashians. And by extension Gen Z discovered him via samples in hip-hop and TikTok memes, proving his timeless rebellion.

Revered for his authenticity – biting off a bat’s head, surviving overdoses, and embracing his “madman” persona – Ozzy embodied rock’s excess. He won Grammys, sold over 100 million albums, and earned Rock Hall induction. And yet, through it all, he was just an everyman from the West Midlands of England. And he never lost that.

His final Sabbath reunion at “Back to the Beginning” on July 5, seated on a throne due to his struggle with Parkinson’s, was a poignant farewell. He will be dearly missed as a cultural touchstone: the voice of outsiders and a survivor who laughed at death until the end.

Ozzy didn’t just make music; he lived it. Rest in peace, Ozzy – your crazy train will never be forgotten.