‘I owe everything to Ozzy’

As Black Sabbath prepare for their farewell show at Villa Park, Roisin O’Connor speaks to star musicians whose lives were changed by the band and their inimitable frontman

- Roisin O’Connor

Ask most music fans who “invented” heavy metal and they’d likely point you in one direction: Black Sabbath. The group’s self-titled debut album was recorded more than half a century ago, in - according to guitarist Tony Iommi ~ a single day in 1969. Released the following year (on Friday 13th), it was savaged by critics (Rolling Stone described it as “just like Cream... but worse!") but has come to be regarded today as one of the most important records of all time. A further 17 albums followed, along with the stories, myths and legends that have made Black Sabbath one of the most revered and influential groups in history.

Now, Black Sabbath and their hell-raising frontman Ozzy Osbourne are playing one last show in their hometown of Birmingham. For the farewell concert, they will be backed by the artists and bands they have inspired over the decades, including Metallica's Rob Trujillo, Alice in Chains bassist Mike Inez, and rock singer and guitarist Sammy Hagar. Ahead of the gig, The Independent speaks to those three artists, as well as British musician and honorary Osbourne, Yungblud, about what Ozzy and Black Sabbath means to them, the heavy metal community and the world.

Mike Inez - bassist, Alice in Chains (present), Ozzy Osbourne (1989 - 1993)

Mike Inez met Ozzy Osbourne in 1989 while auditioning for his band aged 23; a month later he was playing live with the Prince of Darkness at Wembley Stadium. He went on to join the metal band Alice in Chains, and has also played with bands including Slash's Snakepit, Heart and Black Label Society.