Raving Rockers Part II
February 26, 2007 by Jo Minor
Ozzy Osbourne
Born John Michael Osbourne, Ozzy - as he was to be known later in life - went through an agonizing childhood. He was frequently bullied in school as a kid for his slow learning abilities, as he was born with dyslexia, and sought refuge in music from an early age.
He sang in various bands but the breakthrough moment for him was when he and guitarist Tony Iommi formed Earth - a band playing a heavier version of blues than their contemporaries. Iommi later changed the name of the band to Black Sabbath (after seeing a poster of the movie with the same title) and they formed what was to be the first heavy metal band.
Ozzy didn’t last long in Black Sabbath, however, as he was procedurally fired by the band’s manager for his lingering drug abuse. Legendary vocalist Ronny James Dio of the band Rainbow replaced him in Black Sabbath, and this alternate lineup produced 3 groundbreaking albums for the band - including the masterpiece Heaven & Hell.
It didn’t take long before he relocated to the United States and carved a rather successful solo career for himself, having sold around 27 million albums to date in the United States alone.
Eccentric and extroverted, yet extremely down to earth to those around him - Ozzy’s success was marred by depression and mood swings brought on as a result of his drug and alcohol abuse - he once infamously bit off the head of a bat on stage after mistaking it for a rubber one. Ozzy was also once found under a piano with a shotgun in his hand by wife Sharon - only after he used the weapon to kill the family’s 17 cats - and was also known to have physically abused her on several occasions.
Ozzy drastically toned down in the latter years of his life - owing much of this to his drug and alcohol-free lifestyle - and has had several television and movie appearances, most notably on his family’s own reality TV show on MTV and the blockbuster Little Nicky where he appears as himself.
Ozzy turned 58 this year, coincidentally alongside some of the greatest rock vocalists in history: Robert Plant, Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper and Steven Tyler - and despite battling his inner turmoil he still tries to perform for his rabid, die-hard fans whenever he can.
Robert Plant
Fabulously fashionable with equally fabulous looks and vocal proficiency, Plant was probably rock’s greatest frontman. He made his fame and fortune with British rock legends Led Zeppelin, and played a vital role in helping the band sell their 300 million albums worldwide.
Robert Plant, alongside guitarist Jimmy Page, were the dynamic duo of the band; and with their flare jeans and chest-baring shirts they captured the hearts and minds of millions over the world. Their chemistry on stage, coupled with the raw energy from the rhythm section of John Paul Jones and John Bonham, cemented Led Zeppelin’s place in the annals of rock history.
Plant’s admirable vocal prowess allowed him to add another dimension of mystique and charm to the band’s emotionally-charged tunes, and his trademark stage presence and energy was unparalleled at the time. He can be heard doing what he does best on such Led Zeppelin hits like Stairway To Heaven, Whole Lotta Love and Black Dog.
The tragic death of their drummer John Bonham marked the heartbreaking end of their touring years but Plant will always be remembered as the voice and face of Led Zeppelin. Plant, alongside guitarist Page, is the only active members of Led Zeppelin.
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