At the 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, journalist and Guilford College music professor Parke Puterbaugh experienced first-hand the power of true vocal velocity. Echoing throughout the venue, came the unparalleled and immediately recognizable voice of the self-proclaimed “Prince of Darkness,” the one and only Ozzy Osbourne. 

The still-present aptitude of Osbourne’s voice came as a surprise to Puterbaugh, considering the metal pioneer’s minimal participation in the induction and recent announcements of declining health. “He sounded phenomenal,” Puterbaugh said. “The voice was all there, I was shocked.”

Included in the official induction program, Puterbaugh’s article titled “Ozzy Osbourne” outlines Osbourne’s influence, specifically with his genre-creating band, Black Sabbath. In the article, Puterbaugh said, “Black Sabbath invented heavy metal with the release of the paradigm-shifting albums ‘Black Sabbath’ and ‘Paranoid’ in 1970.”

First-year student Brady Odell recognizes the powerful artistry of Osbourne as an inspiration for his own musical ingenuity. “Since freshman year of high school, [metal] has been one of my favorite genres of music,” Odell said, “and Ozzy’s voice is just the most iconic thing in metal.”

Now, Osbourne is preparing to take to the stage one last time with a final show set to take place in Birmingham, England — the birthplace of Black Sabbath — on Saturday, July 5. Announced on Wednesday, Feb. 5, the final concert is Osbourne’s way of wrapping up a wild career and giving thanks to his many fans. 

In an interview with BBC, his wife, Sharon Osbourne, said that the concert would be a true grand finale for the Godfather of Metal’s performance legacy. “Ozzy didn’t have a chance to say goodbye to his friends, his fans, and he feels there’s been no full stop,” she said. “This is his full stop.” 

With a lineup including some of the biggest groups and names in metal — including Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira and more — Puterbaugh said the show will be an event of appreciation for metal music and Osbourne’s eccentric history of influencing metal artistry. 

“It sounds like a historic moment and evening for metal,” Puterbaugh said, “and a sort of valedictory one for Ozzy.”

Odell said that with the final concert, Osbourne can look back on his influence on music and the way his work has expanded to artists far beyond him. 

Osbourne discovered legendary guitarists that he created his acclaimed discography with, most notably Zakk Wylde of Pantera and Randy Rhoads of Quiet Riot. “He’s played with some really great guitar players,” Odell said. “His choice of musicians throughout his career has been pretty amazing.”

Osbourne’s unique personality and abnormal lifestyle have entertained audiences outside of music, especially through the avant-garde hit TV show “The Osbournes.” Puterbaugh said that the show gave a new understanding of Osbourne, outside of his more questionable or self-destructive moments. 

“Giving a more accessible and amiable face to somebody who was perceived as the Prince of Darkness,” Puterbaugh said, “I thought was genius.”

The power of Osbourne’s influence reaches far beyond the metal genre, which Puterbaugh believes comes from his lifelong obsession with The Beatles. 

“He comes from appreciating song craft, and he is not averse to melodies,” Puterbaugh said. “In some ways, I wish other metal acts would take that lesson to heart.”

Combining an admiration for musical ingenuity and a deep understanding of the darker sides to life, Osbourne and Black Sabbath provided an outlet for connecting with raw emotion like never before. “That’s the genesis of Black Sabbath and that’s why it’s so brilliant to me,” Puterbaugh said. 

One of the most important things to note about Osbourne is his earnest survival instinct, Puterbaugh said. Osbourne’s cult following has amassed over years of him surviving through a hardcore lifestyle and excessive addictions. 

The final show’s celebration of Osbourne will likely spark awe in many fans, as it will be a visual of overcoming an untamed, and sometimes dark lifestyle. 

“It’s a wrap up of an over 50-year career, half a century of metal mayhem, for somebody who really changed the course of music,” Puterbaugh said. 

Around the world, fans of Osbourne anxiously await the legend’s final performance, one last ride on the “Crazy Train.”