In the autumn of 1970, the burgeoning heavy metal titans Black Sabbath, fronted by the enigmatic Ozzy Osbourne, made a memorable but surprisingly understated visit to Salford, an event that would later become a curious footnote in rock history. While the band was beginning to captivate audiences with their groundbreaking sound, their interaction with a student journalist revealed a stark contrast between their stage presence and their off-stage persona.

Student reporter Steve Eveleigh found himself interviewing the “Prince of Darkness” in the corridors of the Students’ Union, an encounter he would later describe with candid disappointment. Ozzy’s responses, according to Eveleigh, were a series of “boring stereotyped answers to boring stereotyped questions,” painting a picture of an artist far less electrifying in conversation than in performance.

Osbourne’s attempts at sounding original, such as stating Black Sabbath’s Birmingham origins and their blues band roots, evidently fell flat on the seasoned student critic. This early glimpse into the band’s public relations efforts highlighted a nascent struggle to articulate their burgeoning identity beyond the raw power of their music.

The interview continued with equally mundane revelations, including Ozzy’s assertion that Black Sabbath was “doing their own thing” while paradoxically admitting that Deep Purple was one of the few British groups worth listening to. Such statements underscored a youthful lack of polish in handling media, a stark contrast to the mythic figure Ozzy would later become.

Further anecdotes included the band’s purported enjoyment of appearing on “Top of the Pops” and their claim of being able to distinguish Stork from butter—details that Eveleigh found incredulous and indicative of a detached pop star narrative. These seemingly trivial comments unwittingly offered a glimpse into the everyday banality that can coexist with burgeoning superstardom.

Adding to the visit’s peculiar charm, numerous complaints were lodged with Salford University’s entertainment chairman when Black Sabbath posters blanketed the campus in October 1970. The student newspaper pondered, “Did you see anything wrong with Black Sabbath poster. Evidently some people did,” suggesting the band’s provocative imagery was already stirring societal debate even in their early days.

Decades later, as the world mourns the passing of Ozzy Osbourne at 76, these early encounters in Salford gain new poignancy, reminding fans of the humble beginnings of a legend. His recent death has prompted an outpouring of grief from friends, family, and legions of fans, many of whom witnessed his iconic final performance with Sabbath at Aston Villa’s ground.

The collective cry of “Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy” echoed through the streets of Birmingham during a recent procession honoring the heavy metal icon, a testament to his enduring impact. This public homage highlights the profound connection fans felt with a man whose journey from an unassuming interview in Salford to global rock deity was nothing short of extraordinary, forever cementing his place in music history.