How Ozzy Osbourne inspired Crystal Shawanda, Juno nominee for blues album of the year – thecanadianpressnews.ca
Mar 25, 2026
Crystal Shawanda knew she had a powerful voice when she began singing at the age of six, but it was listening to rock ’n’ roll legend Ozzy Osbourne that helped craft and shape her vocal prowess.
“Ozzy was one of my favourite vocalists. Actually, I learned a lot from him about my voice because there wasn’t a lot of singers out there that I heard who had the style of attack that I have,” she said, noting it was her brother who introduced Black Sabbath to her during those early formative years.
“The way Ozzy would pinch his vocals and how he can go real clean, but he could also bring out a more rock ’n’ roll side to his vocals — an edgier side …. I definitely learned that from Ozzy.”
