Changes (Live 1993)

The Zoo Crew is spinning the hauntingly beautiful "Changes (Live 1993)" by Ozzy Osbourne from the Live & Loud album, and Zoo Freaks, this track is a gem with a unique story. Originally a piano ballad by Black Sabbath from their 1972 album Vol. 4, this live version captures a rare moment from Ozzy’s “No More Tours” tour, which he thought would be his last due to a misdiagnosis of multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s in 1992. According to Rolling Stone, the song was performed only once on this tour at Denver’s Red Rocks, making it an unlikely rock-radio hit. The emotional weight of Ozzy’s performance, with its raw vulnerability, reflects his personal struggles at the time, including his battle with sobriety, as he later shared in a 2013 Facebook post where he admitted to resuming drinking and drug use but had been sober again since early March 2013.

Another tidbit about "Changes (Live 1993)" is its enduring legacy. In 2003, Ozzy collaborated with his daughter Kelly Osbourne on a studio version of “Changes,” which became their first number-one single in the UK, as noted in Wikipedia. The live version from Live & Loud, however, stands out for its raw energy and the electric interplay between Ozzy and his audience, a rapport described by a reviewer on Kevin Stephany’s Critique Compendium as unmatched since James Brown’s 1962 Live at the Apollo. Fans on the Ozzy Osbourne Fans Facebook group often cite this performance as a highlight, with one member recalling how Ozzy’s heartfelt delivery brought the crowd to a standstill, a moment that still resonates on platforms like X.

Ozzy Osbourne, born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England, kicked off his career in a gritty, working-class environment. As detailed on Britannica, he dropped out of school at 15, taking odd jobs and even landing in prison for two months at 17 for burglary. Music became his outlet when he joined local rock groups, eventually forming the band Earth with guitarist Tony Iommi. To avoid confusion with another band, they renamed themselves Black Sabbath after a Boris Karloff horror film. Their ominous, blues-infused sound, debuted on their 1970 self-titled album, helped pioneer heavy metal. Ozzy’s nickname, “Prince of Darkness,” emerged during this era, cemented by Black Sabbath’s occult-themed lyrics and his wild stage presence.

After being fired from Black Sabbath in 1979 due to substance abuse, Ozzy launched his solo career with the encouragement of his future wife, Sharon Arden. As noted on Ozzy’s official website, he formed the Blizzard of Ozz with guitarist Randy Rhoads, bassist Bob Daisley, and drummer Lee Kerslake. Their 1980 debut album, Blizzard of Ozz, featuring hits like “Crazy Train,” was a multiplatinum success. Despite personal struggles, including a notorious incident where he bit the head of a live bat on stage (thinking it was a rubber toy), Ozzy’s solo career soared, with 13 studio albums and over 100 million albums sold worldwide, as per Top40weekly.

Zoo Freaks can stay connected with Ozzy through his official channels: ozzy.com, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather at the Ozzy Osbourne Fans Facebook group and Ozzypedia, a fan-run wiki packed with trivia. For more fan-driven content, check out the Encyclopaedia Metallum page for Live & Loud, where devotees share reviews and memories of Ozzy’s epic performances.