So, my love of music/rock and roll has many roots that I can identify. However, when I think of my introduction to Heavy Metal, the song that broke my cherry would have to be Ozzy Osbourne's " Crazy Train. The fast rhythm, the intensity of the guitar, the lyrics, the hook - this could be the perfect song. My introduction to this piece was, in fact, my older brother. He and his friends entered into a Battle of the Bands, and that is one of the songs that they covered. I remember that event very well. Every time they rehearsed it, they nailed it. However, when they took the stage, even though they played well, their onstage presence was noticeably lacking. The singer was dancing moves straight out of Saturday Night Fever—John Travolta to "Crazy Train," seriously? The guitarist was jumping erratically, the bassist showed up in a grimy church suit that reeked, and my brother looked like Han Solo with his vest. This was a Heavy Metal crowd, and while they weren’t booed, the audience clearly wasn’t enthused.

The takeaway from this? Take the time to know your audience. Whether you're crafting a musical performance, an art show, or a presentation, understanding their mindset, preferences, and needs gives you an invaluable edge in engaging them effectively. It is time well spent.

I also talk about this because fuckin Ozzy Osbourne passed away very recently. His death was a long time coming. He was very ill, so I wasn't shocked. However, revisiting his catalog, I, like so many people, can say so much of his music would be in the soundtrack of our lives. He was not perfect; he made his mistakes. That said, he worked hard to make up for them. He lived an amazing life. Crazy, but that’s how it goes.

“I used to fantasize that Paul McCartney would marry my sister.” Ozzy Osbourne