Aside from his stage name, heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne was also known as the music world's "Prince of Darkness." Here's how he got the nickname. Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath and undisputed "Prince of Darkness," passed away on July 22 at the age of 76, leaving behind a legacy that forever reshaped the world of rock ‘n’ roll. The nickname “Prince of Darkness” originated from reactions to Black Sabbath’s ominous music and themes, a moniker that would forever be associated with his persona. However, Ozzy’s journey with Black Sabbath was not without turmoil. In 1979, due to substance abuse issues and internal conflicts, Ozzy was fired from the band. Ozzy Osbourne, ‘Prince of Darkness’ Turned Reality TV Star, Dies at 76 As the lead singer of Black Sabbath, he helped invent heavy metal. Thus, The Prince of Darkness has been a nickname for Satan and the embodiment of evil for hundreds of years. How Did Ozzy Osbourne Get the Name "The Prince of Darkness"? The Prince of Darkness always had his light. Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne’s marriage was put to the test through many ups and downs over the last 40 years before Ozzy tragically died at age 76. Ozzy Osbourne, the howling singer, madcap showman and self-anointed “prince of darkness” who helped pioneer heavy metal’s thunderous, earsplitting sound as the front man for Black Sabbath How did Ozzy Osbourne get his nickname? Loudwire reports that the term Prince of Darkness goes way back. The Latin “princeps tenebrarum” appears in religious texts from as early as the 4th Ozzy Osbourne, the “Prince of Darkness” who shocked and awed with his heavy metal band Black Sabbath, has died aged 76. News of his death was announced by his family. Why was Ozzy Osbourne called The Prince of Darkness? Ozzy was called The Prince of Darkness because his band, Black Sabbath, was surrounded by dark mythology, per The Guardian. Many folks thought they were satanists, partly due to Ozzy biting the head off of a bat thrown on stage by a fan during a performance in 1982. As Black Sabbath’s music gained notoriety, Ozzy earned the nickname the “Prince of Darkness” for two key reasons — it was a title that reflected both the band’s image, and also his own Ozzy Osbourne has died at the age of 76. The Black Sabbath legend, known to millions as The Prince of Darkness, had been battling ill-health in recent years, and played his final ever gig just Ozzy Osbourne obituary: Heavy metal, reality TV, and biting bats – the wild life of Birmingham's Prince Of Darkness The architect of heavy metal with Black Sabbath, an even bigger solo star, and Ozzy Osbourne—the Black Sabbath singer known as the Prince of Darkness—died at 76 July 22. He is survived by wife Sharon Osbourne and his five kids, including Kelly Osbourne and Jack Osbourne. The Prince of Darkness leaves behind a legacy that’s influenced countless artists, shaped entertainment, and spurred legendary myths. Ozzy has secured himself as a household name across the world. There's only one problem: The metal behemoth known as "Ozzy Osbourne" isn't actually named "Ozzy." It's his stage name, a name he's been called for so long that people forget it's not the real thing. So yeah, it’s pretty heavy stuff—and the name has been tied to evil and darkness for centuries. How Ozzy Got the Nickname The origin of Ozzy’s dark title goes all the way back to his early Black Sabbath days. In a 2016 interview with NME, he pointed to the band’s haunting 1970 song “Black Sabbath” as the beginning of it all. With his wailing vocal style and "prince of darkness" reputation, Ozzy led the band to become global stars - before he was fired, mainly because of his increasing dependency on drugs and alcohol. Ozzy Osbourne is known as the Prince of Darkness, but the story behind the nickname is rooted in history, public perception and one legendary heavy metal track Ozzy Osbourne earned the nickname 'Prince of Darkness' during the early years of Black Sabbath. He died at 76. The title was linked to the bands dark themes and stage presence. Though Osbourne saw it as a joke, the name became part of his lasting public identity in heavy metal.
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