Introduction to a Rock Legend
Not many music fans can say that they met their idol, let alone sung with them on a stage in front of thousands. Nevertheless, an Ozzy Osbourne Superfan has. It is this memory that a Cumbrian says that he will stay with him for the rest of his life while marking the death of the prince of darkness.
A Lifelong Fan
The fan from Rumney has been fascinated with Ozzy and his heavy metal band Black Sabbath for 48 years, attending 90 concerts. And it is no surprise – after all, Mr. Rumney’s hometown Workington was a place where Black Sabbath performed in their early days.
Black Sabbath’s Connection to Cumbria
"Ozzy was no stranger to Cumbria," said the 60-year-old Rumney. "Black Sabbath and Workington go hand in hand. People from Workington, who are interested in their rock music scene, everyone knows about the black Sabbath with Workington, and there are many people who still remember that were there." There is even a badge that was placed in the city of Carnegie Theater after Mr. Rumney and his band collected donations for the Black Sabbath Cumbrian Connection.
The Early Days of Black Sabbath
The people in Workington observed how the story was written on August 26, 1969 when a band called Earth played in the Banklands Youth Club. Founded in Birmingham in the earth, Tony Iommi on Guitar, Bill Ward on the drums, Geezer Butler on the bass and Ozzy Osbourne showed singing. The band toured Cumbria and also played in Silloth, Carlisle, Low Hesket and Wigton.
A Genre-Defining Moment
When Ozzy and Butler wrote the texts for a song called Black Sabbath, inspired by the horror film of the same name, the band pushed in a darker musical direction. In the weeks in Cumbria, this genre did not fit well together with everyone in Cumbria who came to her famous name change in the Workington Gig.
Not Everyone Was a Fan
The music promoter Andy Park had booked the earth at 20 venues, but can remember a certain night in the village hall Hesket Hall in Carlisle for the wrong reasons. He said: "They died an absolute death and everything I can remember is that the caretaker kept searching in the hallway and pushed me to me and his words were so easy – ‘It’s a dance, let them dance’."
A Different Story in Other Places
But it was a different story in other places in Carlisle and Workingon. Mr. Rumney said he studied at Workington Technical College when the band was released on February 13, 1970, the day on which the self-titled debut album Black Sabbath played on February 13, 1970.
Ozzy’s Connection with Fans
Ozzy’s willingness to connect with his fans had been proven to Mr. Rumney when he appeared as a solo artist. "Ozzy always greeted people who came on stage during his appearances and organized a party," he said. "The best time when I was on stage in Donington was something special."
A Moment of Fame
After Ozzy was fired from the black Sabbath, he played and played at Donington’s Monsters of Rock Festival in Leicestershire several times, 1984, 1986 and 1996. During the 1984 performance, Mr. Rumney got his moment of fame. "I managed to get on the stage, and I can remember to look beyond the crowd, ozzy with his arm around us and just looked over the crowd … it was just a fantastic moment in my life."
A Tribute to Black Sabbath
Mr. Rumney, who plays in a band named Zero, said Black Sabbath had been a "large part" of his life since he was 12. He and his bandmates paid tribute to the important day of the world in 2022 with a blue badge in Workington. The unofficial blue badge, for which Mr. Rumney and his bandmates donate, is located on the walls of Carnegie Theater, since the site of the Bankland Youth Club now houses a school.
A Lasting Legacy
"I wanted the badge so that people realize that such a big band loved this area. You loved Workington and we loved them." Black Sabbath’s connection to Cumbria will always be remembered, and for Mr. Rumney, the memory of singing with Ozzy on stage will stay with him forever.
