Jack Black recreates iconic Ozzy Osbourne video for ‘Mr Crowley’
Actor and diehard heavy metal fan Jack Black has recreated the iconic video for the Ozzy Osbourne hit ‘Mr Crowley’, in celebration of the Prince of Darkness’ farewell from the stage with Black Sabbath’s final gig.
The Back to the Beginning concert, held at Villa Park in Birmingham on July 5th, was a roaring success in celebrating how Osbourne and Co have changed the face of the genre in the past half a century.
Although he wasn’t in physical attendance at the gig himself, Black became one of a slew of celebrities who sent video messages into the event, joining the likes of Elton John and Dolly Parton in paying tribute to the rock behemoths.
Performing a cover of Osbourne’s classic ‘Mr Crowley’ in his video, Black took on the 1980 tune with the help of backing band Roman Morello – the son of Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello – Revel Ian – son of Anthrax’s Scott Ian – and drumming legend Yoyoka Soma.
Taken from Osbourne’s debut solo effort Blizzard of Ozz, the song is an ode to the English occultist and magician Aleister Crowley’s book The Diary of a Drug Fiend, which, perhaps unsurprisingly, the Prince of Darkness had read as inspiration.
Elsewhere at the gig, despite all the odds of the health issues against him, Osbourne took to the stage while sitting on a black regal throne one last time, to perform a selection of his own solo hits as well as a range of Black Sabbath classics.
The band were joined by a range of special guests including Anthrax, as well as other heavy metal legends such as Metallica, Slayer, and Alice in Chains.
In the midst of the celebrations, Osbourne’s daughter Kelly also got engaged to her partner, Slipknot DJ Sid Wilson, in front of family and friends backstage.
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