Ozzy Osbourne

Who Is Ozzy Osbourne?

Ozzy Osbourne is a legendary figure in the world of rock music, known for his distinctive voice, rebellious persona, and contributions to the heavy metal genre. He rose to prominence in the 1970s as the lead vocalist of Black Sabbath, one of the most influential heavy metal bands in history. With classic songs such as “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid,” Osbourne became an icon of rock music. His subsequent solo career, which began in 1979, was marked by both musical success and controversial public behavior. These antics, often seen as outrageous by the mainstream, cemented his reputation as the “Prince of Darkness.” Osbourne’s later fame also grew through his portrayal of himself in the hit reality TV show The Osbournes, which aired in the early 2000s and introduced him to a new generation of fans.

Early Life and Career

John Michael Osbourne was born on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England, into a working-class family as the fourth of six children. Struggling with dyslexia throughout his school years, Osbourne earned the nickname “Ozzy” from his peers. Facing academic challenges and difficulties at home, he left school at age 16 and worked a series of low-paying jobs, including a stint in a slaughterhouse. However, he soon became involved in petty crime, which led to a brief prison sentence for burglary.

Despite the tumultuous early years, Osbourne developed a profound love for music, which ultimately led him to pursue a career as a vocalist. In 1968, after his release from prison, Osbourne formed a band with bass player Terence “Geezer” Butler, guitarist Tony Iommi, and drummer Bill Ward. Initially known as Polka Tulk Blues, the band later changed its name to Earth. While they gained some local attention, it wasn’t until they began experimenting with heavier, more amplified sounds that they attracted the attention of music producers. The band, needing a new name due to a conflict with another group using the name Earth, adopted Black Sabbath—inspired by the 1963 horror film of the same name. This marked the beginning of Osbourne’s rise to fame as the frontman of one of the most important and enduring acts in rock history.

Black Sabbath Stardom

Released in 1970 by Vertigo Records, Black Sabbath’s self-titled debut album received mixed reviews from critics but proved commercially successful, charting in the United Kingdom and internationally. With standout tracks like the title song, “The Wizard,” and “Evil Woman,” Black Sabbath reached the Top 10 in the UK and No. 23 on the US charts. The band’s follow-up, Paranoid (1971), further solidified their place in rock history, featuring iconic metal anthems such as “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” “Fairies Wear Boots,” and “Paranoid.” The album topped the UK charts and reached No. 12 in the United States, propelling Black Sabbath to greater fame.

The band’s use of religious symbolism and mythic themes gave them a gothic image, which was met with significant criticism from right-wing groups but only heightened their appeal among young male fans. Their subsequent albums, Master of Reality (1971), Vol. 4 (1972), and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973), achieved chart success and eventually earned platinum status in the US, driven by heavy metal classics like “Sweet Leaf,” “After Forever,” “Snowblind,” and “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.”

Substance Abuse and Departure from Black Sabbath

By 1975, Black Sabbath’s fortunes began to change with the release of Sabotage. Despite tracks like “Symptom of the Universe” and “Am I Going Insane,” the album did not reach the same commercial heights as its predecessors. Adding to the band’s troubles, Osbourne was injured in a motorcycle accident, forcing the band to cut their tour short.

The band’s ongoing struggles with drugs and alcohol—particularly Osbourne’s personal battles—were exacerbated by the rise of punk rock, which began to siphon fans away from the metal scene. After the release of Technical Ecstasy (1976) and Never Say Die (1978), Osbourne parted ways with his bandmates. Black Sabbath would continue with various vocalists, including Ronnie James Dio, Dave Donato, Ian Gilliam, Glenn Hughes, and Tony Martin, but would never again achieve the same level of success that defined the Osbourne era.

Solo Success: ‘Blizzard of Ozz’ and Beyond

Following his departure from Black Sabbath, Osbourne’s solo career flourished. His 1980 debut, Blizzard of Ozz, was a commercial triumph, featuring hits like “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley.” The album reached the Top 10 in the UK and No. 21 in the US, eventually achieving multi-platinum status. Osbourne’s 1981 follow-up, Diary of a Madman, performed equally well, but the subsequent tour was marred by tragedy when guitarist Randy Rhoads died in a plane crash.

Throughout the 1980s, Osbourne built his notorious public persona as a rebellious figure. His onstage antics, which included biting the head off a bat and throwing raw meat at audiences, contributed to his fame, though he was often criticized by religious conservatives who linked his image and music to negative societal impacts.

Despite enduring personal struggles, including a stint in rehab in 1986, Osbourne continued to release successful albums, including Bark at the Moon (1983), The Ultimate Sin (1986), and No Rest for the Wicked (1988). His 1991 album, No More Tears, reached the Top 10 in the US and featured the hit title track.

In 1992, Osbourne announced the No More Tears tour as his last, but the success of the live album Live & Loud (1993), which included the Grammy-winning track “I Don’t Want to Change the World,” led him to reconsider his retirement. He continued to tour, including a prominent role in the Ozzfest festival, and released Ozzmosis in 1995.

‘The Osbournes’ and Further Success

Osbourne’s celebrity status soared again in 2002 with the debut of the reality TV series The Osbournes. The show, which showcased the everyday life of Osbourne and his family, was a massive hit and earned a Primetime Emmy Award. The series also provided a more personal glimpse into Osbourne’s life, especially when his wife, Sharon, was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2002. The Osbournes ran until 2005 and remains one of MTV’s highest-rated shows.

Hall of Fame and Later Years

In 2005, Osbourne reunited with Black Sabbath for a tour, and the following year, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. At the induction ceremony, Metallica performed “Iron Man” in honor of Black Sabbath’s influence on heavy metal.

Osbourne continued to demonstrate remarkable resilience throughout the years, continuing to tour with Ozzfest and releasing albums such as Black Rain (2007) and Scream (2010). In 2012, Osbourne reunited with Black Sabbath to record 13, which was released in 2013.

The band’s final tour, The End, began in 2015 and culminated in 2017 in their hometown of Birmingham. In 2018, Osbourne announced the North American dates for No More Tours 2, stating that while he would reduce his touring schedule, he was not retiring from music and would continue to perform at smaller shows.

Despite the challenges and controversies throughout his career, Ozzy Osbourne’s contributions to rock and heavy metal have solidified his place as one of the genre’s most enduring and influential figures.

Marriage to Sharon, Family Life, and World Detour

Ozzy Osbourne married his manager, Sharon Osbourne, in 1982, and together they have three children: Jack, Kelly, and Aimee. While Jack and Kelly appeared with their parents on the reality show The Osbournes, Aimee chose to remain out of the spotlight. In addition to his children with Sharon, Osbourne has three children from a previous marriage to Thelma Riley and several grandchildren.

In May 2016, after more than 30 years together, Sharon and Ozzy announced their plans to divorce following allegations of an affair with a celebrity hairstylist. However, the couple, having weathered many challenges over the years, decided to reconcile two months later. Ozzy confirmed their relationship was back on track during an appearance on Good Morning America with their son Jack, describing the separation as “just a bump in the road.”

Shortly thereafter, the father-son duo returned to the world of reality television with Ozzy & Jack’s World Detour. The series, which ran for three seasons, followed the Osbournes as they traveled to iconic landmarks and lesser-known destinations around the world.

Parkinson’s Diagnosis and Ordinary Man

In January 2020, Osbourne publicly disclosed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease during an interview with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America. Following the announcement, he canceled the North American leg of his No More Tours 2 tour to focus on treatment and recovery. Despite the setback, Ozzy demonstrated his resilience by releasing his 12th solo studio album, Ordinary Man, in February 2020. The album featured collaborations with industry heavyweights, including Elton John, Post Malone, and Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash.

A&E Biography Special: The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne

A&E Network’s Emmy Award-winning Biography series premiered a new documentary special, Biography: The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne, on September 7, 2020. The two-hour film explored the incredible journey of one of rock’s most iconic figures, tracing his life from his difficult childhood in poverty to his time in prison, his career as the frontman of Black Sabbath, and his successful solo endeavors.

The documentary delved into Ozzy’s reinvention of himself over the decades, showcasing his evolution from rock and roll rebel to an enduring figure in both music and popular culture. As Ozzy approached his 70th birthday, the film reflected on his triumphs, struggles, and unique ability to persevere. Featuring exclusive interviews with Sharon, Kelly, Jack, and other close friends and collaborators such as Rick Rubin, Ice-T, Marilyn Manson, and Post Malone, the special also provided an intimate look at his battle with Parkinson’s disease.