Excellent read, as I appreciate Ozzy, too, more than the average life-changing rock star. Ozzy was my first rock concert experience at age nine in 1983. My 17 year old step brother took me. My fascination at the time was with the opening act, Mötley Crüe, whose Shout At The Devil album meant everything to me at the time. I was mildly terrified of Ozzy prior to the show, or rather, terrified of all the legend surrounding him, what with biting the heads off bats and general madness, put him in another league of darkness in my young mind. But I seeing Ozzy live (Bark At The Moon tour) humanized him and I witnessed how much he loved the fans and the scariest act he performed that night was throwing up double peace signs and swaying his arms. I've always looked at this extremely young experience with a point of pride and prestige and forever hold Ozzy on the pedestal he earned and so deserves.
I have a bootleg audience recording of Sabbath playing in San Bernadino in 1972 in which Ozzy is constantly preaching peace and love and telling the audience he loves them. That confused me a bit but whatever, it was a great show! The version of "Snowblind" is HEAVY.
Well written man. Not that you need me to say it, but feel what you feel. Ozzy’s pass hit me harder than I would have expected. Hell I was driving and crying listening to Ozzy’s Boneyard. A piece of my youth and rediscovering some passions in my now early 50s went with Oz last week. Geezers book is the best!
I loved this essay … thank you for the walk down memory lane. I didn’t know I loved Ozzy until I fell in love with someone who did. He is an episcopal priest now and his ring tone is AC DC’s Back in Black, which is awesome. I shared your mixed feelings about Ozzy on reality tv. Ultimately I liked seeing him in a new way. I hear he was not happy with having agreed to what became for him an invasion of privacy. Thanks too for the male perspective at the skate rink. I remember feeling too clumsy as a skater to join hands … I missed out!
Oh by the way … re “grits” I have a random comment for you. My cousins in Finland taught me about “sisu” which can be translated as “grit” and describes a toughness and resilience in harsh circumstances. I wonder if southern Indiana was settled by any Finns. Who knows. Being a grit can be about being tough when you don’t have much.
I was at that Hatin' Spores show at Vassar — in fact, I think me and Alan Licht and Ivor Hansen got up and jammed a few cover songs afterwards on your gear. I had largely ignored (and/or been terrified by) Black Sabbath in my youth, and it was only in college that I really dug into them and realized how singularly brilliant they were, so I thoroughly loved hearing you guys crank out "Electric Funeral" and other Sabs classics.
It's a very fond memory — one which I was actually thinking about the other day after I got the Ozzy news and was trying to write up an In Memoriam piece. And please, make no apologies for expressing that you're "gutted" when someone dies, especially someone who was as major a presence/inspiration in your musical life as Ozzy was. If people complain to you about it, maybe they should think instead about why your honest expression makes them so uncomfortable...
Thanks for that. I have fond memories of Vassar hangs. I wish I could remember the name of the woman who took me door to door in the dorm at 2 a.m. to find a bed, knocking on doors saying “I’ve got the drummer from The Lemonheads here looking for some companionship and a clean place to sleep.” It worked - at least the sleeping venue part.
I like your writings about your early passions for music better than your more lawerly writings. But who am I to say? Anyway, I enjoyed this a lot. It's hard to get yourself in too much of a twist for one who did his thing so thoroughly. And to be in somewhat of a twist trying to understand what that thing is or was seems reasonable. Hats off to all the lovers of Black Sabbath and Ozzy. You are my tribe!
Great read! I had forgotten about the pain at our local Skateland when they did the Snowball skate, of holding my hand out for a guy and getting rejection.
Thank you for this one John. I was more sad about Ozzy than I would have thought I'd be. Sabbath really was a huge influence on so many things that came later. It was in many ways the birth of goth aesthetic. I super enjoyed your Western Skateland piece. I can't count how many times i had my heart in my throat at that place. But always, my marbled comb in the back pocket of my jeans. That's for writing a little extra about DD. <3
I’d like to write a lot extra about DD (and my Berklee roommate Mike Briggman), but it’s hard to do. We were really close and he meant so much to me…wish I coulda been there for him a little better. I encountered him in the 90s and I could barely recognize the person I knew. Disturbing story. Sad end.
" but it’s hard to do. We were really close and he meant so much to me…wish I coulda been there for him a little better. I encountered him in the 90s and I could barely recognize the person I knew. Disturbing story."
Hey bro - loved this piece! Before I get into Ozzy, I just wanted to state that I never realized how similar our musical experiences were in those days (listening and playing). As I read your piece, it sparked a few thoughts that I wanted to share having to do with WHY two drummers with very similar tastes in music, and in the same small town, had only limited knowledge of each other. As a North-side kid with few acquaintances at BHSS (or relevant middle schools), I really never knew much about the latter demographic (even the creatives). Let me start out by saying that in my experience, the punk community had a much tighter and more interactive network than did the metal crowd (my main tribe). I only knew a few creatives at BHSS, and for the most part those connections arose because I was also friends with a lot of the punks from BHSN. Again, the metal communities at the two high schools barely interacted. I remember always being envious that the punks from both schools had a public place where they could mix and hang out - People's Park. Just to drive home the point, I would occasionally get updates on you, not through the BHSN rock/metal network, but through my father, who as you know was a colleague and friend of your father. A lot of the musicians in these two demographics were/are children of professors - more so in the punk scene. Although I did meet some of the BHSS kids through that connection, those introductions mostly took place in elementary school before most of us started playing musical instruments seriously, and it was always less likely that friendships would evolve due to being in different schools at that age.
Having said that, there were two things that increased the chances that the BHSN metal kids would meet and interact with BHSS punks and rockers. First, was the awesome all-ages performance space, Ricki's Cantina where both rock and punk bands held shows. The second thing allows me to segue to Ozzy. As you are well aware, there were certain bands that BOTH the rock/metal kids and the punk kids revered. Ozzy and Sabbath were probably in 1st place in this regard (more so than Ozzy solo or Sabbath with Dio). Iron Maiden was probably in second place. In addition to Sabbath's amazing music, it was also the anti-establishment theme and wildly free and dangerous way in which Sabbath lived (especially Ozzy) that felt refreshing and inspiring to both demographics.
I did have a connection with Ozzy. Mike Inez (bass player hired for No More Tears) was one of my best friends and a housemate at that time (in Van Nuys California). It was a surreal and crazy experience to witness him make it through different rounds of auditions, and especially the day he came home an announced that he was now Ozzy's bass player. Mike would sometimes take me with him to the studio to watch the later stages of recording of that album. Zakk started hanging at our house a bit, partially because we had a Madden Football (video game) league to which he belonged. I actually have crappy quality video of all of us drinking beer and trash talking each other's teams. But the first time hanging with Ozzy was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. It was Easter and he still hadn't added the vocal track to the title track of the album. Mike and I drove to the engineer's house where an Easter party was happening. I think this was largely because 2 of Ozzy's kids were there and an easter egg hunt was promised. As we walked into the house, I heard No More Tears, but now with the vocal track. It was coming from the living room and as we walked in, there was Ozzy singing to the instrumentally complete track...still without vocals. He was playing it on a stereo and singing what he'd worked up along with the music as practice. I don't usually get star struck, but in this case I was, and I had to work hard not to fan boy. Had to play it cool. When he saw Mike and me walk in, he paused the music, came over, gave Mike a bear hug. Mike then introduced me. I put out my hand. Ozzy swatted it away and gave me a bear hug as well. It was then that I realized what a big heart he had, and my respect for him grew even more. There were a few more times, albeit short, when I got to interact with Ozzy. A few times in the studio, and once at the filming of the No More Tears video. He was super cool each time.
Like you, when watching that amazing Back to the Beginning concert, and in dealing with his death soon after, I realized that I had forgotten how important his music was to me, and how much it had shaped my drumming in junior high and high school. I very quickly felt a deep connection to all of the drummers behind Ozzy in those earlier days, especially Bill Ward and Tommy Aldridge. You and I, without knowing it, and at the same time, were eating up that music, learning the drum parts, and evolving our styles in doing so. Wish we could have shared some of that energy at the time!
I do have something to say about Western Skate Land, and I'll keep it brief (unlike above). Suffice it to say I too remember the Snow Ball and the girls with whom I skated. The music was a big part of it. The song I most remember (and still love) is Magnet and Steel by Walter Egen. Thanks John, for sparking these early Bloomington memories, and RIP Ozzy.
Great stuff. Yeah we were all pretty tribal back then, and I did less hanging later in high school because I had a girlfriend who took up my time, for better or worse! I recently covered Magnet and Steel at a show. Egan is a neighbor of mine, but also I had a bend with strong male and female harmony singers so they could do the great Buckingham/Nicks backing vocals.
Throughout the late 70s and early 80s, my slightly older cousin Hayes took me Western many times. It was a place of big-kid glamour I couldn't get enough of.
Hey bro - loved this piece! Before I get into Ozzy, I just wanted to state that I never realized how similar our musical experiences were in those days (listening and playing). As I read your piece, it sparked a few thoughts that I wanted to share having to do with WHY two drummers with very similar tastes in music, and in the same small town, had only limited knowledge of each other. As a North-side kid with few acquaintances at BHSS (or relevant middle schools), I really never knew much about the latter demographic (even the creatives). Let me start out by saying that in my experience, the punk community had a much tighter and more interactive network than did the metal crowd (my main tribe). I only knew a few creatives at BHSS, and for the most part those connections arose because I was also friends with a lot of the punks from BHSN. Again, the metal communities at the two high schools barely interacted. I remember always being envious that the punks from both schools had a public place where they could mix and hang out - People's Park. Just to drive home the point, I would occasionally get updates on you, not through the BHSN rock/metal network, but through my father, who as you know was a colleague and friend of your father. A lot of the musicians in these two demographics were/are children of professors - more so in the punk scene. Although I did meet some of the BHSS kids through that connection, those introductions mostly took place in elementary school before most of us started playing musical instruments seriously, and it was always less likely that friendships would evolve due to being in different schools at that age.
Having said that, there were two things that increased the chances that the BHSN metal kids would meet and interact with BHSS punks and rockers. First, was the awesome all-ages performance space, Ricki's Cantina where both rock and punk bands held shows. The second thing allows me to segue to Ozzy. As you are well aware, there were certain bands that BOTH the rock/metal kids and the punk kids revered. Ozzy and Sabbath were probably in 1st place in this regard (more so than Ozzy solo or Sabbath with Dio). Iron Maiden was probably in second place. In addition to Sabbath's amazing music, it was also the anti-establishment theme and wildly free and dangerous way in which Sabbath lived (especially Ozzy) that felt refreshing and inspiring to both demographics.
I did have a connection with Ozzy. Mike Inez (bass player hired for No More Tears) was one of my best friends and a housemate at that time (in Van Nuys California). It was a surreal and crazy experience to witness him make it through different rounds of auditions, and especially the day he came home an announced that he was now Ozzy's bass player. Mike would sometimes take me with him to the studio to watch the later stages of recording of that album. Zakk started hanging at our house a bit, partially because we had a Madden Football (video game) league to which he belonged. I actually have crappy quality video of all of us drinking beer and trash talking each other's teams. But the first time hanging with Ozzy was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. It was Easter and he still hadn't added the vocal track to the title track of the album. Mike and I drove to the engineer's house where an Easter party was happening. I think this was largely because 2 of Ozzy's kids were there and an easter egg hunt was promised. As we walked into the house, I heard No More Tears, but now with the vocal track. It was coming from the living room and as we walked in, there was Ozzy singing to the instrumentally complete track...still without vocals. He was playing it on a stereo and singing what he'd worked up along with the music as practice. I don't usually get star struck, but in this case I was, and I had to work hard not to fan boy. Had to play it cool. When he saw Mike and me walk in, he paused the music, came over, gave Mike a bear hug. Mike then introduced me. I put out my hand. Ozzy swatted it away and gave me a bear hug as well. It was then that I realized what a big heart he had, and my respect for him grew even more. There were a few more times, albeit short, when I got to interact with Ozzy. A few times in the studio, and once at the filming of the No More Tears video. He was super cool each time.
Like you, when watching that amazing Back to the Beginning concert, and in dealing with his death soon after, I realized that I had forgotten how important his music was to me, and how much it had shaped my drumming in junior high and high school. I very quickly felt a deep connection to all of the drummers behind Ozzy in those earlier days, especially Bill Ward and Tommy Aldridge. You and I, without knowing it, and at the same time, were eating up that music, learning the drum parts, and evolving our styles in doing so. Wish we could have shared some of that energy at the time!
I do have something to say about Western Skate Land, and I'll keep it brief (unlike above). Suffice it to say I too remember the Snow Ball and the girls with whom I skated. The music was a big part of it. The song I most remember (and still love) is Magnet and Steel by Walter Egen. Thanks John, for sparking these early Bloomington memories, and RIP Ozzy.
Excellent read, as I appreciate Ozzy, too, more than the average life-changing rock star. Ozzy was my first rock concert experience at age nine in 1983. My 17 year old step brother took me. My fascination at the time was with the opening act, Mötley Crüe, whose Shout At The Devil album meant everything to me at the time. I was mildly terrified of Ozzy prior to the show, or rather, terrified of all the legend surrounding him, what with biting the heads off bats and general madness, put him in another league of darkness in my young mind. But I seeing Ozzy live (Bark At The Moon tour) humanized him and I witnessed how much he loved the fans and the scariest act he performed that night was throwing up double peace signs and swaying his arms. I've always looked at this extremely young experience with a point of pride and prestige and forever hold Ozzy on the pedestal he earned and so deserves.
Awesome
I have a bootleg audience recording of Sabbath playing in San Bernadino in 1972 in which Ozzy is constantly preaching peace and love and telling the audience he loves them. That confused me a bit but whatever, it was a great show! The version of "Snowblind" is HEAVY.
And for those interested, that show is on youtube (audio only).
Well written man. Not that you need me to say it, but feel what you feel. Ozzy’s pass hit me harder than I would have expected. Hell I was driving and crying listening to Ozzy’s Boneyard. A piece of my youth and rediscovering some passions in my now early 50s went with Oz last week. Geezers book is the best!
I loved this essay … thank you for the walk down memory lane. I didn’t know I loved Ozzy until I fell in love with someone who did. He is an episcopal priest now and his ring tone is AC DC’s Back in Black, which is awesome. I shared your mixed feelings about Ozzy on reality tv. Ultimately I liked seeing him in a new way. I hear he was not happy with having agreed to what became for him an invasion of privacy. Thanks too for the male perspective at the skate rink. I remember feeling too clumsy as a skater to join hands … I missed out!
As a shy, awkward adolescent in Southern Indiana, you work with what you’ve got.
Oh by the way … re “grits” I have a random comment for you. My cousins in Finland taught me about “sisu” which can be translated as “grit” and describes a toughness and resilience in harsh circumstances. I wonder if southern Indiana was settled by any Finns. Who knows. Being a grit can be about being tough when you don’t have much.
Mostly German and Scots-Irish, but no I don’t think this flattering explanation applies. It was a slur through and through.
I was at that Hatin' Spores show at Vassar — in fact, I think me and Alan Licht and Ivor Hansen got up and jammed a few cover songs afterwards on your gear. I had largely ignored (and/or been terrified by) Black Sabbath in my youth, and it was only in college that I really dug into them and realized how singularly brilliant they were, so I thoroughly loved hearing you guys crank out "Electric Funeral" and other Sabs classics.
Hey old pal, happy to have a witness.
It's a very fond memory — one which I was actually thinking about the other day after I got the Ozzy news and was trying to write up an In Memoriam piece. And please, make no apologies for expressing that you're "gutted" when someone dies, especially someone who was as major a presence/inspiration in your musical life as Ozzy was. If people complain to you about it, maybe they should think instead about why your honest expression makes them so uncomfortable...
Thanks for that. I have fond memories of Vassar hangs. I wish I could remember the name of the woman who took me door to door in the dorm at 2 a.m. to find a bed, knocking on doors saying “I’ve got the drummer from The Lemonheads here looking for some companionship and a clean place to sleep.” It worked - at least the sleeping venue part.
I like your writings about your early passions for music better than your more lawerly writings. But who am I to say? Anyway, I enjoyed this a lot. It's hard to get yourself in too much of a twist for one who did his thing so thoroughly. And to be in somewhat of a twist trying to understand what that thing is or was seems reasonable. Hats off to all the lovers of Black Sabbath and Ozzy. You are my tribe!
Hey John! I like my music writing better too, but the business writing serves a different purpose. I try to strike a balance.
Great read! I had forgotten about the pain at our local Skateland when they did the Snowball skate, of holding my hand out for a guy and getting rejection.
Oof, I have no recollection of the girls communicating like that…maybe just because I was in low demand!
Thank you for this one John. I was more sad about Ozzy than I would have thought I'd be. Sabbath really was a huge influence on so many things that came later. It was in many ways the birth of goth aesthetic. I super enjoyed your Western Skateland piece. I can't count how many times i had my heart in my throat at that place. But always, my marbled comb in the back pocket of my jeans. That's for writing a little extra about DD. <3
I’d like to write a lot extra about DD (and my Berklee roommate Mike Briggman), but it’s hard to do. We were really close and he meant so much to me…wish I coulda been there for him a little better. I encountered him in the 90s and I could barely recognize the person I knew. Disturbing story. Sad end.
" but it’s hard to do. We were really close and he meant so much to me…wish I coulda been there for him a little better. I encountered him in the 90s and I could barely recognize the person I knew. Disturbing story."
This right here. This is where you start.
Oh also did I get it right, the snowball? That’s my memory - the girl had all the power and could be fuckin’ brutal.
Yes, the Snowball Dance. It was quite the courtship ritual for sure. Stressful! I can still smell that place in my memory. Feet, and nachos. 🤣
Hey bro - loved this piece! Before I get into Ozzy, I just wanted to state that I never realized how similar our musical experiences were in those days (listening and playing). As I read your piece, it sparked a few thoughts that I wanted to share having to do with WHY two drummers with very similar tastes in music, and in the same small town, had only limited knowledge of each other. As a North-side kid with few acquaintances at BHSS (or relevant middle schools), I really never knew much about the latter demographic (even the creatives). Let me start out by saying that in my experience, the punk community had a much tighter and more interactive network than did the metal crowd (my main tribe). I only knew a few creatives at BHSS, and for the most part those connections arose because I was also friends with a lot of the punks from BHSN. Again, the metal communities at the two high schools barely interacted. I remember always being envious that the punks from both schools had a public place where they could mix and hang out - People's Park. Just to drive home the point, I would occasionally get updates on you, not through the BHSN rock/metal network, but through my father, who as you know was a colleague and friend of your father. A lot of the musicians in these two demographics were/are children of professors - more so in the punk scene. Although I did meet some of the BHSS kids through that connection, those introductions mostly took place in elementary school before most of us started playing musical instruments seriously, and it was always less likely that friendships would evolve due to being in different schools at that age.
Having said that, there were two things that increased the chances that the BHSN metal kids would meet and interact with BHSS punks and rockers. First, was the awesome all-ages performance space, Ricki's Cantina where both rock and punk bands held shows. The second thing allows me to segue to Ozzy. As you are well aware, there were certain bands that BOTH the rock/metal kids and the punk kids revered. Ozzy and Sabbath were probably in 1st place in this regard (more so than Ozzy solo or Sabbath with Dio). Iron Maiden was probably in second place. In addition to Sabbath's amazing music, it was also the anti-establishment theme and wildly free and dangerous way in which Sabbath lived (especially Ozzy) that felt refreshing and inspiring to both demographics.
I did have a connection with Ozzy. Mike Inez (bass player hired for No More Tears) was one of my best friends and a housemate at that time (in Van Nuys California). It was a surreal and crazy experience to witness him make it through different rounds of auditions, and especially the day he came home an announced that he was now Ozzy's bass player. Mike would sometimes take me with him to the studio to watch the later stages of recording of that album. Zakk started hanging at our house a bit, partially because we had a Madden Football (video game) league to which he belonged. I actually have crappy quality video of all of us drinking beer and trash talking each other's teams. But the first time hanging with Ozzy was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. It was Easter and he still hadn't added the vocal track to the title track of the album. Mike and I drove to the engineer's house where an Easter party was happening. I think this was largely because 2 of Ozzy's kids were there and an easter egg hunt was promised. As we walked into the house, I heard No More Tears, but now with the vocal track. It was coming from the living room and as we walked in, there was Ozzy singing to the instrumentally complete track...still without vocals. He was playing it on a stereo and singing what he'd worked up along with the music as practice. I don't usually get star struck, but in this case I was, and I had to work hard not to fan boy. Had to play it cool. When he saw Mike and me walk in, he paused the music, came over, gave Mike a bear hug. Mike then introduced me. I put out my hand. Ozzy swatted it away and gave me a bear hug as well. It was then that I realized what a big heart he had, and my respect for him grew even more. There were a few more times, albeit short, when I got to interact with Ozzy. A few times in the studio, and once at the filming of the No More Tears video. He was super cool each time.
Like you, when watching that amazing Back to the Beginning concert, and in dealing with his death soon after, I realized that I had forgotten how important his music was to me, and how much it had shaped my drumming in junior high and high school. I very quickly felt a deep connection to all of the drummers behind Ozzy in those earlier days, especially Bill Ward and Tommy Aldridge. You and I, without knowing it, and at the same time, were eating up that music, learning the drum parts, and evolving our styles in doing so. Wish we could have shared some of that energy at the time!
I do have something to say about Western Skate Land, and I'll keep it brief (unlike above). Suffice it to say I too remember the Snow Ball and the girls with whom I skated. The music was a big part of it. The song I most remember (and still love) is Magnet and Steel by Walter Egen. Thanks John, for sparking these early Bloomington memories, and RIP Ozzy.
Great stuff. Yeah we were all pretty tribal back then, and I did less hanging later in high school because I had a girlfriend who took up my time, for better or worse! I recently covered Magnet and Steel at a show. Egan is a neighbor of mine, but also I had a bend with strong male and female harmony singers so they could do the great Buckingham/Nicks backing vocals.
Losing Ozzy and Tom Lehrer in one week was rough.
Maybe you and JH could record one of her tribute albums to Sabbath and Ozzy? Would dig ya'll doing "Over The Mountain" and hearing ya'll shred!
She’s on her own program and I do not recall her being aboard the Crazy Train.
Well, I'd rather a reissue of all her indie releases and Blake Babies material, so I'll leave the Ozzy tribute in the "what if" pile.
There will be come cool archival stuff around Blake Babies in the future. I’m eager to build more visibility into the indie scene of GenZ/Alpha.
Great piece.
Throughout the late 70s and early 80s, my slightly older cousin Hayes took me Western many times. It was a place of big-kid glamour I couldn't get enough of.
I got a good memory for ya! https://open.substack.com/pub/jasminemarion/p/baba?r=5e1ug8&utm_medium=ios
Hey bro - loved this piece! Before I get into Ozzy, I just wanted to state that I never realized how similar our musical experiences were in those days (listening and playing). As I read your piece, it sparked a few thoughts that I wanted to share having to do with WHY two drummers with very similar tastes in music, and in the same small town, had only limited knowledge of each other. As a North-side kid with few acquaintances at BHSS (or relevant middle schools), I really never knew much about the latter demographic (even the creatives). Let me start out by saying that in my experience, the punk community had a much tighter and more interactive network than did the metal crowd (my main tribe). I only knew a few creatives at BHSS, and for the most part those connections arose because I was also friends with a lot of the punks from BHSN. Again, the metal communities at the two high schools barely interacted. I remember always being envious that the punks from both schools had a public place where they could mix and hang out - People's Park. Just to drive home the point, I would occasionally get updates on you, not through the BHSN rock/metal network, but through my father, who as you know was a colleague and friend of your father. A lot of the musicians in these two demographics were/are children of professors - more so in the punk scene. Although I did meet some of the BHSS kids through that connection, those introductions mostly took place in elementary school before most of us started playing musical instruments seriously, and it was always less likely that friendships would evolve due to being in different schools at that age.
Having said that, there were two things that increased the chances that the BHSN metal kids would meet and interact with BHSS punks and rockers. First, was the awesome all-ages performance space, Ricki's Cantina where both rock and punk bands held shows. The second thing allows me to segue to Ozzy. As you are well aware, there were certain bands that BOTH the rock/metal kids and the punk kids revered. Ozzy and Sabbath were probably in 1st place in this regard (more so than Ozzy solo or Sabbath with Dio). Iron Maiden was probably in second place. In addition to Sabbath's amazing music, it was also the anti-establishment theme and wildly free and dangerous way in which Sabbath lived (especially Ozzy) that felt refreshing and inspiring to both demographics.
I did have a connection with Ozzy. Mike Inez (bass player hired for No More Tears) was one of my best friends and a housemate at that time (in Van Nuys California). It was a surreal and crazy experience to witness him make it through different rounds of auditions, and especially the day he came home an announced that he was now Ozzy's bass player. Mike would sometimes take me with him to the studio to watch the later stages of recording of that album. Zakk started hanging at our house a bit, partially because we had a Madden Football (video game) league to which he belonged. I actually have crappy quality video of all of us drinking beer and trash talking each other's teams. But the first time hanging with Ozzy was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. It was Easter and he still hadn't added the vocal track to the title track of the album. Mike and I drove to the engineer's house where an Easter party was happening. I think this was largely because 2 of Ozzy's kids were there and an easter egg hunt was promised. As we walked into the house, I heard No More Tears, but now with the vocal track. It was coming from the living room and as we walked in, there was Ozzy singing to the instrumentally complete track...still without vocals. He was playing it on a stereo and singing what he'd worked up along with the music as practice. I don't usually get star struck, but in this case I was, and I had to work hard not to fan boy. Had to play it cool. When he saw Mike and me walk in, he paused the music, came over, gave Mike a bear hug. Mike then introduced me. I put out my hand. Ozzy swatted it away and gave me a bear hug as well. It was then that I realized what a big heart he had, and my respect for him grew even more. There were a few more times, albeit short, when I got to interact with Ozzy. A few times in the studio, and once at the filming of the No More Tears video. He was super cool each time.
Like you, when watching that amazing Back to the Beginning concert, and in dealing with his death soon after, I realized that I had forgotten how important his music was to me, and how much it had shaped my drumming in junior high and high school. I very quickly felt a deep connection to all of the drummers behind Ozzy in those earlier days, especially Bill Ward and Tommy Aldridge. You and I, without knowing it, and at the same time, were eating up that music, learning the drum parts, and evolving our styles in doing so. Wish we could have shared some of that energy at the time!
I do have something to say about Western Skate Land, and I'll keep it brief (unlike above). Suffice it to say I too remember the Snow Ball and the girls with whom I skated. The music was a big part of it. The song I most remember (and still love) is Magnet and Steel by Walter Egen. Thanks John, for sparking these early Bloomington memories, and RIP Ozzy.