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As part of the 2016 hennemusic Rock News Awards, the site is counting down the Top 10 Rock News Artists of the year.

Finalists for the 7th annual hennemusic Rock News Awards are chosen by readers: winners are determined by the combined total page views of the top 50 hennemusic rock news stories of the past twelve months.

The 2016 hennemusic Rock News Awards winners will be announced on Thursday, December 22.

2016 Rock News Artist Of The Year – Top 10

10 – SAMMY HAGAR
09 – DAVID LEE ROTH
08 – THE EAGLES
07 – RAINBOW
06 – LED ZEPPELIN
05 – THE ROLLING STONES

Rock News Artist of The Year No. 4 – BLACK SABBATH

Black Sabbath launched its farewell tour – a.k.a. “The End” – in Omaha, NE on January 20.

Three original Sabbath members – Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler – were once again joined by Osbourne’s solo drummer Tommy Clufetos as Bill Ward continued to sit out a reunion with his bandmates over various issues.

Butler reignited a feud with Ward just prior to the tour’s launch with claims he was not healthy enough to participate – which brought a quick response from the drummer and an apology from the bassist.

In sync with the farewell launch, the group released expanded editions of their first three albums: 1970’s “Black Sabbath” and “Paranoid”, and 1971’s “Master Of Reality.”

Osbourne made major headlines in May when media reports revealed he and wife/manager Sharon had split after 33 years of marriage following accusations that the singer had allegedly become involved in an affair with a Hollywood hairstylist.

A spokesperson confirmed Ozzy had moved out of the couple’s Los Angeles home while Sharon made her first public comments on the situation; it was later revealed that she had hired a private investigator to catch her husband having the affair with 45-year-old celebrity hairstylist Michelle Pugh.

Ignoring her father’s role in the affair, Kelly Osbourne attacked Pugh on social media, tweeting her phone number with accusations of “elder abuse.” The hairstylist later sued the Osbourne daughter over the cyber bullying and the case was settled by October. In the meantime, Ozzy entered therapy for sex addiction and, by year’s end, reports indicated the couple were planning to renew their marriage vows.

Sabbath’s farewell trek hit Australia and New Zealand in April before a series of summer European dates began in early June.

In July, Ozzy and his son Jack launched a series on The History Channel called "Ozzy & Jack's World Detour." The 10-episode hour-long series saw the pair tour the world to visit a bucket list of iconic and historically significant spots that included Mt. Rushmore, Stonehenge, The Alamo, Roswell, The Jamestown Settlement and Sun Studios.

Ward resurfaced in August to deny rumors that he may reunite with his bandmates during their final series of farewell shows in the UK early next year.

The same month saw Ozzy sued by former bassist and songwriter Bob Daisley over claims of $2 million dollars of unpaid royalties from the 1980 classic “Crazy Train” and other songs.

The Osbourne camp (read: Sharon) issued a public statement slamming the lawsuit, taking shots at Daisley’s motives while overlooking Sharon’s unprecedented revenge move that saw her have the bassist’s (and drummer Lee Kerslake’s) work on “Blizzard Of Ozz” and 1981’s “Diary Of A Madman” re-recorded by Ozzy’s then-current band members – Robert Trujillo (now with Metallica) and drummer Mike Bordin – without her husband’s knowledge for a 2002 re-release of the records (Daisley’s response can be read here.)