As recently as July 5, Ozzy Osbourne performed in his hometown of Birmingham together with the original members of Black Sabbath – for the first time since 2005.
A dream for the singer, who announced that the performance was his last due to his Parkinson's disease.
My first thought is that, what incredible luck for him and the world that he managed to do this fantastic finale where he received so much love from people and fellow musicians, says Anders Tengner.
He had talked for so many years about wanting to do a final gig with the band's original lineup, and then he actually got to do it. I think that's very nice in this tragedy.
"Groundbreaking"
Over the years, he has interviewed Osbourne many times, for TV, radio, and the youth magazine Okej. He describes the singer – a troublesome working-class guy from Birmingham who found his salvation in music – as a unique rock star who leaves a mark that few others do.
Black Sabbath was a groundbreaking band along with Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Free, and Uriah Heep in the late 60s and early 70s, says Tengner.
They carved out the blueprint for what hard rock should sound like, and all the bands that came after them are copies in some way. Then he went on to a solo career.
Scandals and love
Ozzy Osbourne was constantly surrounded by scandals due to alcohol abuse, drug use, or a bitten-off bat head – but also loved.
He has done so many sick things, like snorting ants, but still gotten away with it because he is so extremely nice and funny.
One had no idea that he was present in the room. He always seemed to be completely gone, but then suddenly came up with some brilliant conclusion.
Ozzy Osbourne became 76 years old and remains, says Anders Tengner, perhaps the ultimate symbol of classic hard rock.
He will leave a big hole after him. A fantastic musician – not the world's best singer, but when he opened his mouth he sounded like Ozzy Osbourne and that no one can take away from him – and a showman without equal.
A big teddy bear who would go on with his devilish things. In jest. But people got it into their heads that he was a satanist who sacrificed children.
