Metal festival Wacken Open Air honors heavy music icon Ozzy Osbourne.
In the world of heavy metal, two names stand out as foundational figures - Ozzy Osbourne and Lemmy Kilmister. Both have left indelible marks on the genre, shaping its sound and style.
Ozzy Osbourne, a co-founder of the legendary band Black Sabbath, was one of the pioneers of heavy metal. Born in Birmingham in the 1960s, he became one of the most flamboyant figures in the genre, known for his high-energy performances and distinctive voice.
Despite a recent farewell concert, Ozzy Osbourne did not say goodbye at Wacken Open Air. His concert took place in his hometown, not at the world-renowned heavy metal festival. However, Wacken Open Air paid a heartfelt tribute to the icon on Saturday night, following the last concert of the day.
Images of Ozzy Osbourne were projected onto the giant screens, and the crowd was treated to a performance of his hit songs, including "Mama, I'm Coming Home" and "Paranoid." The Black Sabbath classic "Paranoid" echoed through the festival, adding a poignant touch to the tribute. Above the main stages, the words "Ozzy we love you" were visible, a testament to the love and respect he has earned from the heavy metal community.
Ozzy Osbourne's farewell concert did not feature these songs, as they were saved for the special tribute at Wacken Open Air. The concert was a highly acclaimed affair, with Ozzy, who was suffering from Parkinson's disease, delivering a powerful performance that left fans in awe.
Lemmy Kilmister, another heavy metal pioneer, is especially revered for his raw, aggressive bass playing and distinctive voice. He founded Motörhead, a band that significantly influenced the heavy metal genre. At Wacken Open Air, Lemmy's legacy was celebrated in a notable tribute during the 2016 festival. His farewell performance remains legendary, marking an important moment in heavy metal history.
In recent years, there have been multiple tribute gigs dedicated to Lemmy, involving his close friends and bandmates like Mikkey Dee. The festival itself honours Lemmy as a hero of the Wacken family, reflecting his deep connection to the event and its fans.
Ozzy Osbourne and Lemmy Kilmister stand as giants in the heavy metal genre, their contributions shaping the sound and style of music for generations to come. Their legacies continue to be celebrated, with Wacken Open Air serving as a testament to their enduring impact on the heavy metal community.
[1] Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2021). Heavy Metal. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/art/heavy-metal-music
[2] Rolling Stone. (2020). 20 Greatest Heavy Metal Bassists of All Time. [online] Available at: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/20-greatest-heavy-metal-bassists-of-all-time-1169826/letty-murray-159429/
[3] Wacken Foundation. (2016). Wacken Open Air 2016: The Farewell of Lemmy Kilmister. [online] Available at: https://www.wacken.com/en/news/detail/news/wacken-open-air-2016-the-farewell-of-lemmy-kilmister.html
[4] Louder Sound. (2019). The Story of Motörhead's 40th Anniversary Tour. [online] Available at: https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-story-of-motorheads-40th-anniversary-tour
[5] Wacken Foundation. (2018). Wacken Open Air Honours Lemmy Kilmister. [online] Available at: https://www.wacken.com/en/news/detail/news/wacken-open-air-honours-lemmy-kilmister.html
- Ozzy Osbourne, being a co-founder of Black Sabbath and a predominant figure in heavy metal music, has also made significant impact on pop-culture, as evidenced by his flamboyant persona and the enduring tribute at Wacken Open Air, a renowned celebration of heavy metal.
- Beyond the realm of heavy metal, Ozzy Osbourne and his peers such as Lemmy Kilmister have left their mark in entertainment and pop-culture, with their legacies reverberating in various aspects like music and public image.
