After Osbourne’s death at 76, the heavy metal greats he inspired remember his pranks, generosity and quadruple brandies – and relive the tears at his farewell show

He pioneered heavy metal, became an unlikely reality TV star and performed a colossal final concert two weeks before his death.

Having escaped a life of drudgery in Birmingham, Ozzy became the rare rock frontman you could relate to – and then, against the odds, a national treasure

‘I’m something of a madman... If it’s booze, I drink the place dry. If drugs, I take everything and scrape the carpet for little crumbs’

From his desolate wail on Black Sabbath’s doomy 70s masterpieces, to the twisted self-awareness of his huge-selling solo albums, Osbourne’s vocal style influenced generations of…

The Prince of Darkness was unexpectedly self-effacing, hilarious and generous, say lovers of Black Sabbath

His vocals gave rise to the entire genre of heavy metal, but his Villa Park show reminded us Ozzy’s voice was never a grunt or growl – it was a soul’s wail

Still making stellar new music in their sixth decade, the Brummie band pay tribute to the late Black Sabbath frontman as they cement their place among the heavy metal gods

After Osbourne’s death at 76, the heavy metal greats he inspired remember his pranks, generosity and quadruple brandies – and relive the tears at his farewell show