Ozzy Osbourne

Official Ozzy Osbourne Merch

There are only a handful of rock music personalities who have become myths and almost deified. One of them is undoubtedly cult rocker and shocker Ozzy Osbourne. He and his band Black Sabbath personified evil for decades. Over the years of his career, John Michael Osbourne, as he is officially known, became a brand himself. Even beyond his band career, he remains one of the most famous and simultaneously controversial singers in the world.

Excesses, Legends, and His Solo Career

The very controversies surrounding Ozzy, born in Birmingham in 1948, led to his expulsion from the band in 1979. Alcohol, drugs, and complete loss of control were daily occurrences, leading to the low point of his career. The spark that ignited change was Sharon Rachel Levy, the daughter of former Black Sabbath manager Joe Arden (born Harry Levy). The woman who later married the musician suggested he start a solo career, giving him a second chance in the music world. The album BLIZZARD OF OZZ became a hit. Songs like "Goodbye to Romance" and "Crazy Train" became some of his biggest solo hits. However, Ozzy continued to make headlines outside of music. His 1982 performance in Des Moines remains infamous. A fan threw a bat on stage, and Ozzy bit off its head, thinking it was not real. After the concert, he was immediately taken to the hospital for rabies prevention. Years passed, and the often-called MTV generation took over the music world. In the mid-90s, Ozzy managed to become a trademark and evolve into a cult figure. His musical past, the popular music festival Ozzfest, and the very personal insight into his family life with the MTV show The Osbournes made him a phenomenon of the 1990s and 2000s. Even a reunion with his old bandmates followed in 1997, filling the hearts of all fans with joy.