Ozzy Osbourne BIOGRAPHY (and the curiosity)

Ozzy Osbourne 

Date of Birth

3 December 1948, Aston, Birmingham, England, UK

Birth Name

John Michael Osbourne

Nickname

The Great Ozz
The Wizard of Ozz
The Madman
The Godfather of Heavy Metal
The Prince of Darkness
The Blizzard of oz

Height

5' 10" (1.78 m)

Mini Biography

Born in Birmingham England, after leaving school and having many odd jobs he ended up in a band with Geezer Butler. This group then split leading Ozzy and Geezer to join Tony Iommi and Bill Ward in a new band that went under several names (including Earth) that ended up being called Black Sabbath after a song of the same name that appeared on their first album (released 1969/70). He recorded several more albums with Sabbath despite the decline of his relationship with Tony Iommi, which after several break ups led to him leaving/being fired from the band in 1979. After a short time he launched a solo career with a line up behind him that varied immensely from album to album and tour to tour. During the 80's he was treated several times for alcoholism and was sued twice for the suicides of some of his young fans (cleared completely). Following his No More Tears album he declared he would tour for the last time. In 1991, on his last date he reformed briefly on stage with Black Sabbath for three songs. However a much talked about reformation tour fell through and Ozzy seemed to go into retirement, his bassist (Mike Inez) joined Alice in Chains and the guitarist (Zakk Wylde) formed his own band, Pride and Glory. Now however he is recording a new album and has said he intends to tour again. The album should be out in the summer of 1995 and the tour should be shortly after. Geezer Butler has now quit Sabbath (again) and rejoined Ozzy (he played bass for him on tour during the mid to late 80's) and should play on the new album.
IMDb Mini Biography By: Mark Oliver

Spouse

Sharon Osbourne	(4 July 1982 - present) 3 children
Thelma Mayfair	(1971 - June 1982) (divorced) 2 children

Trade Mark

Curses like a sailor
Occult themes, and visions of Hell and despair in his songs.
Tea-shade sunglasses
Distinctive singing voice
Strong Birmingham (Brummie) accent
Black clothing
Long dark hair
Slurred, mumbling voice

Trivia

Wife Sharon Osbourne is the daughter of his original manager, Don Arden. Arden dropped Osbourne, Sharon took over as his manager, and later married him.
Ozzy has long said that "Suicide Solution", a song about the dangers of alcoholism, was written as a tribute to former AC/DC vocalist Ronald Belford Scott (Bon Scott) who had died an alcohol-related death in 1980. However in 2002, the writer of "Suicide Solution (Ozzy's former bassist and main lyricist, Bob Daisley), revealed that the song actually alluded to Ozzy himself.
His song "Suicide Solution" created controversy when a fan committed suicide. The fan's parents alleged that Ozzy was responsible and sued him. The suit was cleared completely.
Every single one of his solo albums (of original material) has gone multi-platinum.
Was born the 4th of 6 children to Jack and Lillian Osbourne. His brothers are Paul and Tony, and his sisters are Jean, Iris, and Gillian. His father died in 1977.
Daughter Aimee Osbourne opted out of appearing in the MTV reality show 'The Osbournes', but his and Sharon's two other children, Kelly and Jack, agreed to take part.
Had two children from his first marriage (to Thelma Mayfair): Jessica Osbourne (born 1972) and Louis Osbourne (born 1975). He also adopted his first wife's son, Elliot Kingsley (born 1966), from a previous marriage. His children with second wife Sharon Osbourne are Aimee Osbourne (born 9-2-83), Kelly Osbourne (born 10-27-84), and Jack Osbourne (born 11-8-85).
Formed a band called Law after leaving Black Sabbath in 1979. They played 2 gigs before he changed their name to the Blizzard of Oz.
Claims he sleeps with a bayonet under his bed.
With wife Sharon Osbourne, he announced that the family had agreed to a deal with MTV, worth a reported $20 million, to do two more seasons of "The Osbournes" (2002), the highest rated show in the history of the channel. [May 2002]
The Osbournes meet with US President George W. Bush while attending the annual Correspondents' Association dinner. [May 4, 2002]
The cover of his 1988 album "No Rest for the Wicked" created controversy; it seemingly depicts himself seated and young children gathered around a Satanic shrine.
Arrested in September 1989 after attempting to strangle wife Sharon Osbourne while drunk. He awoke in jail the next day not knowing why he was there. He and Sharon reconciled in October 1990 after Ozzy endured extensive drug rehabilitation.
The cover of his 1982 live album "Speak of the Devil" was partially censored in some stores. The cover depicted a fanged Ozzy with blood (actually raspberry jelly) oozing from his mouth. The stores put a sticker over his mouth to obscure the "blood". Once Ozzy discovered this, he demanded that the sticker be removed or he would have his record company pull the album from those stores. Not wanting to lose the album sales of an Ozzy Osbourne recording, the stores adhered to Ozzy's wishes.
Honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame [April 12th, 2002]
Some of his many tattoos include the letters O-Z-Z-Y across his left knuckles, happy faces on both knees, "THANKS" on his right palm, a red hooded ghoul on his left chest, and a blue dragon on his right chest. The first two were self-made during a brief time in jail in the late 1960s.
Father of Kelly Osbourne, Jack Osbourne, and Aimee Osbourne by current wife Sharon Osbourne; and of Jessica Osbourne and Louis Osbourne by first wife Thelma Reilly.
Black Sabbath's name came from a 1963 film (I tre volti della paura (1963)) starring Boris Karloff. Sabbath's early songs reflected the same types of themes that were the centerpiece of those movies. Ozzy later named one of his solo albums "Diary of a Madman", the title (Diario segreto di un pazzo (1963)) of a 1963 Vincent Price horror film.
Was one of the first "shock rockers."
Throws a bucket of water on the audience at his concerts.
Resides in Buckinghamshire, England and Los Angeles, California, USA.
On December 8th, 2003 he was seriously injured while riding his ATV quad bike on the grounds of his Buckinghamshire estate in England. The accident occurred while he was taking a day off from his hectic promotional schedule surrounding the UK release of "Changes" - a duet with his daughter Kelly. He broke his collarbone, six ribs and a vertebra in his neck. The injuries were not considered to be life-threatening, though he has undergone some surgery.
His remake with daughter Kelly Osbourne of the Black Sabbath song "Changes" went straight to #1 in the UK when it was released a week after his quad-bike accident.
Reunited with Black Sabbath in 1985 for the Live Aid (1985) (TV) festival, and again in November of 1992 for the last night of Ozzy's so-called "final" tour. After the success of this show, the idea of a new Black Sabbath record and full tour was proposed, and the contracts were written up. However, Ozzy decided at the last minute not to sign them. It wasn't until December of 1997 that all four original members reunited again, to perform and record what would become the live album "Reunion".
Before the success of "The Osbournes" (2002), he was known by most people as "the singer who bites heads off bats". This rumor traces back to one isolated incident. On January 20, 1982, at a concert in Des Moines, a bat wound up on stage, which had either been stuck in the rafters or thrown up there by a crazed fan. Osbourne bit it for a goof, thinking it was a rubber toy. He had to take a week of rabies shots. Despite a $25,000 donation later that year to the SPCA, the bat story grew to be an urban legend of its own, to the point where even numerous unrelated heavy metal bands were commonly accused of ritualistically killing live animals on stage.
Is a fan of football club Aston Villa
Son-in-law of Don Arden.
Was the victim of a burglary at his Buckinghamshire (UK) home in November 2004. Almost £2 million worth of jewellery was stolen.
Discovered only after he grew up that he is dyslexic, after being told for years that the reason he had trouble reading in school was because he was "dumb".
His favorite band is The Beatles, who inspired him to become a musician when Beatlemania spread worldwide.
When he started out in music, the demand for rock singers in his hometown of Birmingham was so strong that anyone with their own microphone and PA amplifier could get a paying gig. Osbourne's father paid for the equipment, to spare him having to work a menial job after his failures in school.
Former neighbour of Pat Boone. Boone's cover of "Crazy Train" was used as the theme for "The Osbournes".
Black Sabbath was voted the 85th Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Artists of all time by Rolling Stone.
Diagnosed with Parkinson's Syndrome and will have to take daily medication for the rest of his life to combat the involuntary shudders associated with the condition. [May 2005]
He had a vasectomy in 1986.
His dad's death in 1977 lead to several hospitalizations due to his depression
Was present for the births of children Jessica Osbourne, Aimee Osbourne and Kelly Osbourne, but not those of Louis Osbourne and Jack Osbourne.
Grandfather of Isabelle, whose mother is Ozzy's daughter Jessica Osbourne.
Uncle of Terry Longden.
Black Sabbath were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame for their outstanding contribution to British music and integral part of British music culture. (16 November 2005).
As a child/teen, his family was so poor that there was no running water in their house.
His nickname "Ozzy" was actually a name that schoomates taunted him with as a child/teen.
In 2007, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as a member of Black Sabbath) and honored at the VH1 Rock Honors (as a solo artist.).
Was sued in recent years by former bandmates Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake for royalties on the Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman. Ozzy retaliated by deleting their parts from the albums entirely and rerecording them with his then-current band.
Made several suicide attempts as a teenager.
The song title S.A.T.O. (from the Diary of a Madman album album) is actually his wife's initials (Sharon Arden Thelma Osbourne.).
Is a Vegatarian.
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6780 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
The 2009 Sunday Times List estimated his net worth at $147 million.
Much like the Hollywood Walk of Fame stars, he has a "Walk of Stars" star on Broad Street, Birmingham, England.
Lives in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire and Los Angeles, California.

Personal Quotes

The lifestyle I've been living for the last 30 years, I could have been dead a thousand times.
They say military have the so-called 'secret intelligence' -- this amount of intelligence must be very secret, since I've never seen any intelligent military person, nor I have seen any sense in the bloody stupid wars.
I'll only retire in the day I should be dead and they have me buried, and some idiot spell over my casket some stupid gospel stuff.
(On kicking drugs and alcohol for the first time) "All I have to say is this. Sobriety F***ing Sucks!
The only black magic Sabbath ever got into was a box of chocolates.
My mother was an amateur singer, my father was an amateur drunk.
Sometimes I think my whole career and life has only been about a bloody Bat!
I'm a very simple man. You've got to have, like, a computer nowadays to turn the TV on and off...and the nightmare continues.
A life of booze, drugs and unprotected sex is only going to f*** you up! I mean, look at me!
I couldn't be a royal. It's like living in a supersonic goldfish bowl.
(Black) Sabbath were a hippy band. We were into peace.
Last year I sang for the Queen of England, met the president of the United States, and got an Emmy and a star on The Walk of Fame. And what did I do? I was just being myself.
Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most
Could be worse . . . I could be Sting.
Viagra's a great sleeping drug. I take Viagra, and Sharon goes right to sleep.
LA's not a good place to grow old. It's a Paris Hilton-getting-fucked-up-the-arse kind of town . . . a town full of ambulance chasers.
I have a genuine love affair with my audience. When I'm on stage they're not privileged to see me. It's a privilege for me to see them.
Recalling an LSD trip: "There were these horses in a field. They were talking to me."
The bat thought I was giving him the kiss of life!
I knew I was in trouble when I couldn't make it offstage quick enough to get whatever variety of shit I was tipping down me. I thought to myself: There are people working in gas stations, and all these menial jobs, to put money aside to see the Ozzfest, and I'm more interested in going back to the hotel, and doing a bag of white powder, or whatever shit it is I'm on.
It wasn't as if I had a list, I didn't have a resumé saying Tuesday - have a pint, strangle the wife, Wednesday - get bail.
On Sharon Osbourne's colon cancer diagnosis: 'I freaked out. She's the love of my life, and she's also, like, the controller. I couldn't sleep with her for nine months because I was scared of waking up and she'd died in the night.'
People thought ['_The Osbournes_'] was scripted but it wasn't. They'd sit there with five cameras pointing in all directions just for you to slip on a dog turd or something.
One day, my son and I were arguing and he said: "Do you mind if people laugh with you, or at you?" And I said I didn't give a shit, so long as they were laughing. But really, I was thinking, I wouldn't like to know for a fact that they're laughing at me.
One night in Hamburg, I painted my face purple, and didn't realise it was indelible. So I had to walk around Hamburg for the next three days with a purple head!
This has all been such an amazing journey for me. I can vividly remember sitting on the step of my house in Aston, just tripping about what it would be like to be a Beatle. And then, here I am at 58, and I'm at [Elton John]'s party. All these megastars are there, Paul McCartney or whatever. And there's me with them, standing with all these people I used to admire. It's like I've been in the music industry for 30, 40 years, and it's just been incredible really.
I can honestly say, all the bad things that ever happened to me were directly, directly attributed to drugs and alcohol.
I got rabies shots for biting the head off a bat but that's OK - the bat had to get Ozzy shots.
I kept hearing that metal is dead and Ozzy's dead and people that like Ozzy are dead. I have never had an empty seat. I've always sold out, so who's saying it's all over?
I suppose Americans get a kick out of watching a crazy Brit family like us make complete fools of ourselves every week.
(quashing longtime rumors) I'm not a Satanist. I don't worship the Devil.
You gotta be really careful what you bite off. Don't bite off more than you can chew. It's a dangerous world.
I wish I didn't have to perform 'Iron Man' every night.
They keep 'em as clean as they possibly could, but prisons are to punish people, so they don't exactly have room service, you know.
That drum fill is the best ever - it still sounds awesome. We love Phil Collins. (On "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins)

Salary

"The Osbournes" (2002)

$200,000 (first season - entire family)

Where Are They Now

(2002) Starring in the MTV reality show "The Osbournes" (2002), along with his wife and two of his children.
(June 2004) Touring the U.S. with Black Sabbath for the annual summer concert series, "Ozzfest".
(February 2010) Release of his autobiography, "I Am Ozzy" by Ozzy with Chris Ayres.