Lita Ford Remembers Ozzy Osbourne: A Night to Remember in Birmingham

Lita Ford, 66, is backstage at K.K. Downing’s club in Birmingham, ready to take the stage and perform “Close My Eyes Forever”, a song that has become synonymous with Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy. The air is thick with anticipation and sweat as Ford prepares to deliver what promises to be an emotional performance. It’s a quarter to ten, and Ford is about to take the audience on a journey through the highs and lows of her relationship with Ozzy, a journey that spans decades and has left an indelible mark on the world of rock music. Ford’s performance is not just a tribute to Ozzy but also a celebration of their friendship, which began when Ford was just a teenager and has endured despite the ups and downs of their respective careers.

Early Days and Influences

Ford’s love affair with rock music began when she was just a teenager. Her first concert was Black Sabbath in 1972, and she was hooked from the very start. She would often play their riffs on her guitar, and her parents, although not always approving of her musical tastes, tolerated Black Sabbath and even supported her. Ford’s mother was a big fan of the band and would often ask her to play “War Pigs” or other Black Sabbath classics. This early exposure to Ozzy’s music had a profound impact on Ford’s own musical style and influences her to this day.

Meeting Ozzy and the Birth of “Close My Eyes Forever”

Ford’s meeting with Ozzy was a catalyst for one of the most memorable nights of her life. It was 1987, and Ford was 29, trying to find her feet after her time with The Runaways. Ozzy, 39, was struggling with addiction, but despite his personal demons, he was still a creative force to be reckoned with. One wine-soaked night at Record One Studios in Los Angeles, the two rockers came together, and by morning, they had written “Close My Eyes Forever”, a song that would go on to become Ozzy’s first and only Top 10 hit. Ford recalls the night vividly, remembering how they lost themselves in the creative process, fueled by whiskey and a desire to push the boundaries of rock music.

Some key highlights of that night include:
* The spontaneous nature of the songwriting process, with Ford and Ozzy coming together in a small room with a keyboard and guitar
* The influence of their personal struggles and demons on the creative process
* The birth of a song that would go on to become a classic of rock music

Memorable Moments with Ozzy

Ford’s relationship with Ozzy was marked by many memorable moments, including a hilarious Easter dinner at her parents’ house. Ozzy, resplendent in his finery, arrived at the dinner in a limousine, much to the amazement of the neighbors. However, things took a turn for the unexpected when Ozzy, after consuming a significant amount of wine, was handed a carving knife to carve the Easter lamb. The resulting chaos was a testament to Ozzy’s unpredictable nature and Ford’s family’s good humor.

Ford also recalls Ozzy’s sense of style, which was always impeccable, thanks in part to his wife Sharon’s influence. Ozzy was always the best-dressed guy in the room, with a keen sense of fashion and a love of jewelry and shoes. Despite his struggles with addiction, Ozzy was a true rock star, always looking and acting the part.

The Legacy of “Close My Eyes Forever”

“Close My Eyes Forever” has become a beloved classic of rock music, with many fans playing it at funerals and other significant life events. The song’s beauty and emotional resonance have made it a staple of rock music, and its influence can still be felt today. Ford’s performance in Birmingham is a testament to the enduring power of the song and the special bond that she shared with Ozzy.

Some key facts about “Close My Eyes Forever” include:
* The song was written in one night, fueled by whiskey and creativity
* It was Ozzy’s first and only Top 10 hit
* The song has been played at countless funerals and other significant life events
* It remains one of the most beloved and enduring songs of rock music

Conclusion:
Lita Ford’s performance in Birmingham is a celebration of her friendship with Ozzy and the music that they created together. “Close My Eyes Forever” is a testament to the power of rock music to transcend time and touch our hearts. As Ford takes the stage, she will be remembering Ozzy and the special bond that they shared, a bond that was forged in the fires of creativity and rock ‘n’ roll.

Keywords: Lita Ford, Ozzy Osbourne, Close My Eyes Forever, Black Sabbath, rock music, Birmingham, K.K. Downing’s club, creativity, addiction, friendship, legacy, classic rock, Top 10 hit, funerals, significant life events, whiskey, fashion, jewelry, shoes, sense of style, rock star, unpredictable nature, good humor, chaos, Easter dinner, limousine, neighbors, carving knife, Easter lamb.

Hashtags: #LitaFord #OzzyOsbourne #CloseMyEyesForever #BlackSabbath #RockMusic #Birmingham #KKDowningsClub #Creativity #Addiction #Friendship #Legacy #ClassicRock #Top10Hit #Funerals #SignificantLifeEvents #Whiskey #Fashion #Jewelry #Shoes #SenseOfStyle #RockStar #UnpredictableNature #GoodHumor #Chaos #EasterDinner #Limousine #Neighbors #CarvingKnife #EasterLamb



Source link