Ozzy's vocals were surprisingly good at BTTB. Or were they?

[Saul Goodman]

It was interesting to me because as I was flipping around watching uploaded video from the fans at the show and then finding the official videos, I thought perhaps I was hearing someone near the cell phone singing. Or perhaps the person's fingers were covering the microphone area. Who knows on YouTube concert videos. This is one reason I normally don't watch amateur cell phone concert videos.

I didn't think much of it until this interesting video crossed my desk this morning, but one video made me feel really bad for Ozzy. I believe it is called, "Changes." Poor Ozzy. My dad went through the Parkinson's thing and it's not a pretty sight. I could hear it in Ozzy's voice in the amateur video. I verbally said, "Oofda," as I watched the amateur video. Then later I found the "official" video and I thought it must have been something to do with the amateur cell phone take. Well, it all makes sense now. 

 Actually, I think it was, "Mama," that I heard. I honestly can't remember at this point. My dad couldn't speak words in the end. He'd just mumble. And it wasn't the fall down the 11 stairs that ended him but that's how they found the Urinary tract infection that took him out when they rushed him to the hospital. Parkinson's sucks. Stay away from pesticides. 

 

[cynic]

An elderly guy singing in the throes of Parkinsons whose abuses and addictions to drugs and alcohol for 40+ years have very few rivals?

Yeah, I'd say anything he does above ground at this point is at the very fucking least "surprisingly good."

[hamerhead]

I watched part of the Ozzy show and wondered how the hell he was managing to sound so good, all thing considered.

Then I saw the Wings of Pegasus bit and it made a lot more sense. No one escapes it. Hell, they've even pitch-corrected Beatles re-releases.

[LucSulla]

When I was at MTSU and ProTools was just getting really hot (this was 2000), I had a couple of friends who called computer-based recording being the future in the late 90s and got really fast with quick commands, edits, and everything necessary to really fly threw the program at a time when people were still arguing about it ever really being used in pro studios. 

Basically, there was a kind of a clique of these guys at the time around Nashville, more like a group of software nerds than music bros, and they were pretty in demand because they knew the program inside out and were super fast at a time when folks were just adopting it for sessions. One of the guys in that group was also really sharp with Autotune, which came out in 1997. 

Incidentally, Shania Twain's first major tour was in 1998. 

Not so incidentally, that guy went out on that tour with her.

I have't 100% trusted live vocals were totally "live" unless the singer hit a clam or two ever since. 

Edited July 22, 2025 by LucSulla

[Saul Goodman]

The imperfect one will forever live in my heart now.

 

[tommy p]

I was listening to one of AC/DC's live albums with Brian Johnson and I am 100% certain there was a second vice singing about 75% of the lead vocals with him.  I could hear the two voices clearly.  I was just wondering if the second voice was there with him singing live but offstage or if it was studio "sweetening" after the fact.

[DaveH]

54 minutes ago, tommy p said:

I was listening to one of AC/DC's live albums with Brian Johnson and I am 100% certain there was a second vice singing about 75% of the lead vocals with him.  I could hear the two voices clearly.  I was just wondering if the second voice was there with him singing live but offstage or if it was studio "sweetening" after the fact.

I saw Boston back in the 2000's, and a ways into the show Brad started dialoging the audience. He introduced the guy backstage that was hitting the high notes for him and "saving my ass out here every night!". I thought that was cool.

I watched a BTTB 'War Pigs' video the day after the event, and it was definitely NOT corrected. Later, in 'Crazy Train', he was sounding a lot better.

 

Edited July 23, 2025 by DaveH

[RobB]

4 hours ago, tommy p said:

I was just wondering if the second voice was there with him singing live but offstage or if it was studio "sweetening" after the fact.

Probably the latter.

[RobB]

3 hours ago, DaveH said:

I saw Boston back in the 2000's, and a ways into the show Brad started dialoging the audience. He introduced the guy backstage that was hitting the high notes for him and "saving my ass out here every night!". I thought that was cool.

I watched a BTTB 'War Pigs' video the day after the event, and it was definitely NOT corrected. Later, in 'Crazy Train', he was sounding a lot better.

 

I've met various production mgr./road crew staff that said (starting w/Ozzfest) that the singer from Ugly Kid Joe (who apparently does a nuts-on Ozzy impersonation) was in an ISO booth backstage. Said booth had a very expensive studio mic and 180deg video monitor/audio feed of Ozzy. He sang every song, every note and the FOH soundman mixed in as much or little as was needed. This was the 90's, so I'm sure ProTools (triggered/synced by the lead vocals) took over. Everyone major band does it now.

[Cary]

I watched a couple of videos of Momma I’m Coming Home, and I can’t say the same thought didn’t momentarily cross my mind…

That said, in the end, this show was about OZZY as much as it was his fans.  It was his final hurrah, a rousing goodbye and thank you to his tens of millions of fans. 

The people who were openly weeping during his performance didn’t give a shit about whether or not his voice sounded like it did when he was in his 20s, before the ravages of age and Parkinson’s.  HE seemed genuinely happy, and in the end that’s all that mattered at this point, the final days of a life well lived.
 

 

 
 

 

[ARM OF HAMER]

                                          All things considered I was amazed that he even lived this long much less be able to sing period....................and then there is Keith Richards. Never saw him as a solo act but I did in the early day of Sabbath, they were pretty incredible................... and LOUD!  Here in better times. (19) Black Sabbath - "Fairies Wear Boots" - Live in Paris 1970 [HD] [Remastered] - YouTube

Edited July 25, 2025 by ARM OF HAMER

[scottcald]

I saw Ozzy appear on Letterman's show like 20 years ago and it was clear his voice was being pitch corrected.   I've heard interviews with Robert Mason where he's told of doing the backstage on a mic thing for Ozzy. 

[Jack C]

I’m pretty sure Zach was singing with Ozzy. They sound very similar. 

[Dave Scepter]

1 hour ago, Jack C said:

They sound very similar. 

They do, they both have that same nasaly, whiney tone to their voice.