K.E. Jones- Writer

To say that Ozzy Osbourne was a pioneer for the gothic community is pretty spot on. Not only did Ozzy pave the way for dark metal, but he also showed the gothic community that we are loved and accepted. He told us we have a home, even if no one else believed it, he did.

When my brother was alive, he was a huge fan of Ozzy. Being a guitarist himself, he studied Randy Rhodes and learned from his playing.

Ozzy was a constant in our home.

As many younger siblings do, I use to sneak into my brother’s room when he was not home and look through his records. Ozzy, Black Sabbath, Kiss, and many others that I was not allowed to listen too, were in his collection. The covers intrigued me. Dark, haunting, and (for the time) taboo.

As I became older, my musical taste bypassed these artists. I listened to The Cure, Joy Division, and Sisters of Mercy. I now know that I am a mixture of all of the artist that have inspired me throughout my life.

But, Ozzy?

Ozzy Osbourne was more than the rest. He was the artist that connected an 8-year-old girl to her 21-year-old brother. We did not have a lot in common, but when we talked about music, we could both agree that Ozzy was amazing.

He was more than a gothic knight, more than an artist; he was a connection of eras, a heartbeat that united two kids. And for this, I am forever grateful.

His passing is a great loss to my soul.

Goodnight Ozzy.

And thank you.