I was about 10 or 11 when I started really listening to rock music and Ozzy was one of the first ones I picked up on, along with AC/DC and KISS. I got No More Tears on cassette around then and Ozzmosis shortly thereafter. My uncle took me to see him on the Retirement Sucks tour. Joe Holmes was his touring guitarist then. I didn’t know shit about who played what and when yet as I myself was just starting to play bass but I knew I loved Zakk Wylde’s guitar sound. I started listening to Sabbath too. Started with Master of Reality and that’s still my favorite Sabbath album. I got into the Randy stuff next and was playing guitar then. I got Tribute on CD and that blew my mind even more. Eventually I tracked down most of his solo discography on CD.
I’ve been an Ozzy fan since the day I heard him. I’ve learned more than a few Sabbath tunes and a few of his solo tunes. I love playing the song Diary of a Madman. I still think the No More Tears album has one of the ballsiest rock sounds ever. And while I haven’t always dug his later stuff, props to him for keeping active. And seeing him live was always a treat. I think I saw him solo 3 or 4 times and with Sabbath 3 times. And both Black Sabbath and his solo music influenced so many fucking people and bands. He’s a true legend.