Following the death of Ozzy Osbourne , artists of all styles spoke out to share how important the heavy metal icon is to music.
Lzzy Hale , vocalist of Halestorm , gave an interview to SiriusXM 's Trunk Nation , and commented on how Ozzy's music, presence, and legacy shaped not only her career but also her name [transcription via Metal Injection ].
"Probably my earliest memories are of hearing 'Iron Man' and 'War Pigs' and many of the early songs. Before I really understood the gravity of it all. Ozzy was simply… he was relevant every decade. It was simply incredible. What a legacy."
Then, Hale revealed that Ozzy Osbourne is the reason her name is spelled “Lzzy”: “You and I have talked about this before. My name wouldn’t be spelled Lzzy if Ozzy didn’t exist,” she said. Interviewer Trunk, visibly surprised, replied: “In all these years I’ve known you, I never knew that. Is that why you spell it like that?”
Lzzy Hale explained that it all started in the early days of the internet, when her band Halestorm only had a basic website and a forum—no social media. A fan who loved Ozzy and Hale started combining their names, affectionately writing her name as "Lzzy," and making comparisons between her stage presence and Osbourne's. "She ended up combining our names and started writing my name as 'Lzzy.' I thought it was funny—until all these girls started coming to the shows dropping the vowels from their names, thinking that's how I spelled it. I ended up accepting it… and it just caught on."
Ozzy Osbourne's death was "unexpected," according to tabloid.
Ozzy Osbourne, heavy metal icon and vocalist for Black Sabbath, died last Tuesday, July 22nd, at the age of 76.
According to the Daily Mail , a family friend said his death was "unexpected ." The Prince of Darkness passed away at his mansion in England. He spent his last days with his wife/businesswoman Sharon Osbourne and his daughters, Kelly and Aimee Osbourne, who cared for him, according to the tabloid.
Furthermore, according to the Daily Mail , a source close to the family stated that "Ozzy always intended to return to live in the United Kingdom, in Buckinghamshire."
“There was a lot of hope that he would remain alive for much longer. But at one point there was a fear that they wouldn’t be able to bring him from Los Angeles for his farewell performance earlier this month,” the friend reportedly said. “It’s extremely sad for all of them, who really hoped he would be able to stay alive for a while longer. But it’s very beautiful to know that he had his children by his side in his final days.”
The family confirmed Ozzy Osbourne's death through a statement [via The Guardian ]:
"It is with greater sadness than words can express that we have to inform you that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family's privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis."
The cause of death has not been released, although Ozzy had faced several health problems in recent years.
READ ALSO: Tony Iommi speaks about Ozzy Osbourne's death: "The show was for him to say goodbye"