Ozzy Osbourne 090
Look closer for one song title and ten lyrics: “War Pigs / Luke’s Wall” (Paranoid Album); “I feel unhappy. I feel so sad.” (Changes); “Nobody wants him. They just turn their heads.” (Iron Man); “Alright Now” (Sweet Leaf); “All Aboard” (Crazy Train); “I know that things are going wrong for me. You gotta listen to my words.” (Crazy Train); “Oh no” (Flying High Again); “Here I come, but I ain’t the same.” (Mama I’m Coming Home); “The light in the window is a crack in the sky.” (No More Tears); “I’ve made mama cry. Don’t know why I’m still alive.” (Ordinary Man); and “When they call your name, better run and hide!” (Patient Number 9)
The Story:
John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne (3/12/1948 – 22/7/2025) was an English singer, songwriter, and media personality. He co-founded the pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath in 1968, and rose to prominence in the 1970s as their lead vocalist. During this time, he adopted the title “Prince of Darkness”. He performed on the band’s first eight studio albums, including Black Sabbath, Paranoid (both 1970) and Master of Reality (1971), before he was fired in 1979 due to his problems with alcohol and other drugs.
Osbourne began a solo career in the 1980s and formed his band with Randy Rhoads and Bob Daisley, with whom he recorded the albums Blizzard of Ozz (1980) and Diary of a Madman (1981). Throughout the decade, he drew controversy for his antics both onstage and offstage, and was accused of promoting Satanism by the Christian right. Overall, Osbourne released thirteen solo studio albums, the first seven of which were certified multi-platinum in the United States. He reunited with Black Sabbath on several occasions. He rejoined from 1997 to 2005, and again in 2012; during this second reunion, he sang on the band’s last studio album, 13 (2013), before they embarked on a farewell tour that ended in 2017. On 5 July 2025, Osbourne performed his final show at the Back to the Beginning concert in Birmingham, having announced that it would be his last due to health issues. Although he intended to continue recording music, he died 17 days later.
Osbourne sold more than 100 million albums, including his solo work and Black Sabbath releases. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Black Sabbath in 2006 and as a solo artist in 2024. He was also inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame both solo and with Black Sabbath in 2005. He was honoured with stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 4/12/2002 and Birmingham Walk of Stars on 7/6/2007. At the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards, he received the Global Icon Award. In 2015, he received the Ivor Novello Award for Lifetime Achievement from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.
Osbourne’s wife and manager Sharon founded the heavy metal touring festival Ozzfest, which was held yearly from 1996 to 2010. In the early 2000s, he became a reality television star when he appeared in the MTV reality show The Osbournes (2002–2005) alongside Sharon and two of their children, Kelly and Jack. He co-starred with some of his family in the television series Ozzy & Jack’s World Detour (2016–2018) as well as The Osbournes Want to Believe (2020–2021). -Credit: Wikipedia
“Between the music of Sabbath and his solo work, Ozzy Osbourne is indisputably a god of rock ‘n’ roll. One of the most important and iconic figures in all of music – ever – the Prince of Darkness pioneered an entire genre of music, giving way to thousands of amazing songs and starting hundreds of successful careers. Thank you for the music, Ozzy.” – credit: Jarrett Huff, July 23, 2025.
Ozzy Osbourne, also known as the Prince of Darkness, was a Christian and deeply connected to his faith. While his music often referenced Satanism, he and his bandmates consistently maintained that they were never involved in Satanism or black magic, nor did they endorse such behavior in their personal lives. Osbourne became a member of the Church of England in 1992. Though he wasn’t always outspoken about his faith, it remained an important part of who he was. In many of his appearances, Osbourne could be seen wearing crosses—a strong symbol of his beliefs. An interesting detail about his performances: he and his band prayed together before every show. – credit: beliefnet.com
The Artwork:
The first print of this illustration is available for non-profit fundraising. For details email lisafromlsu@gmail.com.
Artist: Tobin Bortner of Bastrop, Texas – drawing done in June of 2026 – ©Tobin Signs/Look Closer Illustrations
Illustrated with graphite and Prisma Colors from the album Paranoid: Pink, Orange, Yellow Ochre, True Blue, Cerrulean Blue and Black.
Derivative Work: Photos-the big face from thedpig_com – cms_kerrang_com – Ozzy-Osbourne-2022-Kerrang-cover-story-image-header-credit-Ross-Halfin; the shirt and cross from billboard_com – ozzy-osbourne-sept-10-2022-billboard-1548; the hush-face from 4_bp_blogspot_com – ozzy-osbourne; the screaming face from i_ytimg_com – maxresdefault
For more information email
tobincbort@yahoo.com
Look Closer Illustrations 