Ozzy Osbourne, one of heavy metal's most beloved and influential sons, died on Tuesday at the age of 76 after a years-long battle with Parkinson's disease. The Black Sabbath frontman's death comes not even three weeks after the "Back to the Beginning," a concert honoring the metal band's legacy, which Billboard reported last week is now the highest grossing benefit concert of all time. (The event raised approximately $190 million to be distributed between the Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, Acorn Children’s Hospice, and Cure Parkinson's.)
The King of Darkness may not be an immediate link to roots music, but the sisters of Larkin Poe beg to differ. Last year, Rebecca and Megan Lovell devised an idea for an essay based on something they said about Ozzy during a panel I moderated at the Park City Song Summit. It turned into this essay, available in the Winter 2024 print issue and reshared as part of their January 2025 Spotlight here.
Additionally, all sorts of roots (and roots-adjacent) musicians took to social media to share their tributes. Check out a few from Paul Weller (whose new album Find El Dorado is out today via Warner Records / Parlophone Record), Robert Plant (whose new album Saving Grace is due out September 26 via Nonesuch), and Trapper Schoepp (whose forthcoming album Osbourne is, in fact, partially named for Ozzy is due out September 19 via Blue Élan Records). Additionally, Trampled by Turtles posted a bluegrass cover of "Sweet Leaf," from Black Sabbath's 1971 album, Master of Reality.
Tom Morello, guitarist of Rage Against the Machine and folk alter-ego The Nightwatchman, served as the Music Director of the "Back to the Beginning" event. He summarized succinctly, "God bless you Ozzy."
RIP also to "Swamp Pop pioneer" Tommy McLain. Glenn Dicker, the founder of Yep Roc (McLain's most recent record label) wrote in an Instagram post: "Getting to work with Tommy was definitely a milestone for all of us at Yep Roc and we are forever grateful. He was such a kind and loving soul which flowed through his music to touch people in a beautiful way. I Ran Down Every Dream was an incredible way to cap off a stellar career. We love you, Tommy!"
Elsewhere in the roots music community, Oh Boy Records announced a deluxe 30th anniversary edition of John Prine's Grammy-nominated LP Lost Dogs & Mixed Blessings due out September 12. The digital-only release will also include five previously unreleased demos/alternate takes and a never-before-heard track titled “Hey Ah Nothin’.”
Greensky Bluegrass has announced a new LP to coincide with the band's 25th anniversary. Titled with Roman numerals, XXV is due out October 31 via Big Blue Zoo Records and Thirty Tigers and includes guest artists like Billy Strings, Nathaniel Rateliff, Aoife O'Donovan, Sam Bush, and Lindsay Lou. The band's latest single, featuring Strings, is called "Reverend."
Amanda Shires also announced a new album — her own defiant breakup response — called Nobody’s Girl, due out on September 26 via on ATO Records. The lead single is titled "A Way It Goes."
WHAT WE'RE LISTENING TO
Brandee Younger - Gadabout Season
Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell - We Insist 2025!
Black Sabbath - Paranoid
Campbell Jensen - "Run with You"
Tyler Ballgame - "Got A New Car"
Pete Yorn - "Anna Capri"
The Pleasures - "WAS IT SOMETHING I SAID"
Gwenifer Raymond - "Last Night I Heard The Dog Star Bark" (from her forthcoming album, Last Night I Heard The Dog Star Bark, due out September 5 via We Are Busy Bodies)
The Band Loula - "Sweet Southern Summer" (from their debut EP, Sweet Southern Summer, due out on August 22 via Warner Music Nashville)
Anna Tivel - "White Goose" (from her forthcoming album, Animal Poem, due out August 29 via Fluff & Gravy Records)
NEW RELEASES – 7/25/25
Tyler Childers - Snipe Hunter
The Dirty Nil - The Lash
Nick Drake - The Making of Five Leaves Left
Fitz and The Tantrums - Man on the Moon
Folk Bitch Trio - Now Would Be A Good Time
Patty Griffin - Crown of Roses
The Honeydogs - Algebra For Broken Hearts
Cody Jinks - In My Blood
Ben Nichols - In the Heart of the Mountain
Various Artists - The Mighty Rootsmen
Various Artists - Walkin' After Midnight (A Patsy Cline Tribute)
Paul Weller - Find El Dorado
COMING SOON - 8/1/25
Josh Halper - Schlemiel
Emily Hines - These Days
Rachael & Vilray - West of Broadway
Patrick Sweany - Baby It's Late
Wild Mountain Mystics - Fire and Honey
The Wood Brothers - Puff of Smoke
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