Nebraskans reminisce on Ozzy Osbourne’s influence ‘on multiple generations’

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Ozzy Osbourne’s death on Tuesday struck a chord in the hearts of Nebraska musicians and music lovers.

The heavy metal legend died at the age of 76, according to his family.

While they didn’t specify the cause of his death, Osbourne had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease several years ago.

SEE ALSO: Ozzy Osbourne, who led Black Sabbath and became the godfather of heavy metal, dies at 76

As the news sank in, lead singer of the local band Paisty Jenny reminisced on the inspiration he got from Osbourne.

Gregg Lee said he remembers being a kid and hearing Black Sabbath music coming from his brother’s bedroom.

“And I was just like, ‘What is this?'” Lee said. “It just kind of blew my mind.”

He said Osbourne is leaving a lasting legacy on musicians everywhere.

“A music career that lasts that long, in itself, is pretty rare,” Lee said. “I mean, we’re talking five decades, plus. So it makes sense that he would have that kind of influence on multiple generations.”

Some of Osbourne’s most popular moments stem from his time with Black Sabbath.

Just a few weeks ago, he performed with them in what the band called his “final bow.”

While his time as the lead vocalist was decades ago, First Day Vinyl store in Lincoln said Black Sabbath’s music is still flying off shelves.

“Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne is some of our best-selling stuff,” employee Ana Wombacher said. “It sells all the time.”

She said Osbourne’s records are usually gone within a couple days of the shipments coming in.

And it’s not just the older generations buying them.

“It’s kids and younger teenagers who are just starting their collection who will also buy Pink Floyd and Black Sabbath because those are the basic building blocks of any vinyl collection,” Wombacher said.

Lee believes Osbourne’s influence will stand the test of time.

“I don’t know, maybe people will start biting heads off of bats,” he joked. “People take bits and pieces from the past, and they turn that into something new.”