Rock Legends Reimagined: A Night with Ozzy Osbourne & AC/DC Tribute Bands Crazy Babies & Hells Bells Canada
- Michael Drukarsh
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
By: Michael Drukarsh
Toronto, Ontario - If you were lucky enough to grow up through the 70s and 80s you’d have had the opportunity to see many of the best metal bands perform in their prime. As the years go by we continue to lose our heroes... our icons. Thankfully we have musicians and artists willing to continue to pay homage to those who have fallen. Check out Ashley Depaz’s coverage of Black Label Society to read about Zakk and his continued devotion to Ozzy.
On April 4th, at the historic El Mocambo, I witnessed two incredible tribute bands carrying on the tradition of AC/DC and Ozzy Osbourne.
Hells Bells Canada
Hells Bells Canada, the world's longest touring tribute to AC/DC (and if you don’t believe them, just read their shirt) opened the show. With an epic visual backdrop and the tolling of the bell, the band kicked off the set with their namesake song. The energy was pushed to 11 from “Angus's" first note and it never dropped.
Tearing through a set that delivered all the classics, front man “Brian Johnson” had the crowd in the palm of his hand as he belted songs including “Shoot to Thrill”, “Whole Lotta Rosie”, “Highway to Hell” and of course “Back in Black”. Through it all, “Angus” never stopped moving, jumping, twirling, and flying across the sage all while “Malcolm”, “Cliff” and “Chris” stayed cool and collected, providing the backbeat that anchored the "crazy" provided by the showmen. With vocals, musicianship and stage presence finely honed over 30 years, Hells Bells Canada provides the closest thing you’ll find to the classic AC/DC sound. So good, in fact that even Axl would be envious!
Crazy Babies
As the lights dimmed for the second time that night, the surging crescendo of “O Fortuna” signaled the arrival of the madman himself. With a wicked grin and glint in his eye, “Ozzy” made it very clear of what was to come, “LET THE MADNESS BEGIN”.
Kicking off the set with “I Don’t Know”, the packed house were on their feet, singing along, waving their hands and throwing the peace sign and devil horns as Rod “Ozzy” Clarke stalked the stage. With an uncanny ability to channel Ozzy’s voice and mannerism, Rod delivered all the classics including “Bark at the Moon”, “Desire”, and “Mr. Crowley”, all while frog jumping, clapping and doing jumping jacks. “Zakk's" trademark bullseye guitar was always front and centre and the traditional solo during "Suicide Solution" was incredible, with some Canadian pride thrown into the mix! Mike Inez’s bass opening for “No More Tears” was perfectly replicated as Crazy Babies broke into crowd favorite “No More Tears”.
A sing-along was encouraged as the band paid tribute to the founders of heavy metal Black Sabbath, with a fantastic version of “War Pigs”. Slowing the pace down and ringing a tear to the eye of every fan, “Mama I'm Coming Home” reminded of the tenderness Ozzy had underneath the Prince of Darkness persona. Closing the show with “Crazy Train” and following tradition, “Paranoid”, Rod and his band once again brought a warmth and sense of community to those in attendance as we all were there to remember and celebrate Ozzy, the Ordinary Man.
Concert Photo Gallery (all photos by: Michael Drukarsh)
Crazy Babies Online
Show Date: April 4, 2026