Ozzy Osbourne Pictures, Biography, Profile, Facts, Discography, Filmography, more.

Though many bands have succeeded in earning the hatred of parents and media worldwide throughout the past few decades, arguably only such acts as Alice Cooper, Judas Priest, and Marilyn Manson have tied the controversial record of Ozzy Osbourne. The former Black Sabbath frontman has been ridiculed over his career, mostly due to rumors denouncing him as a psychopath and Satanist. Despite his outlandish reputation, however, one cannot deny that Osbourne has had an immeasurable effect on heavy metal. While he doesn't possess a great voice (it's thin and doesn't have much range), he makes up for it with his good ear and dramatic flair. As a showman, his instincts are nearly as impeccable; his live shows have been overwrought spectacles of gore and glitz that have endeared him to adolescents around the world. Indeed, Osbourne has managed to establish himself as an international superstar, capable of selling millions of records with each album and packing arenas across the globe, capturing new fans with each record.

John Michael Osbourne began his professional career in the late '60s, when he teamed up with guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward to form Black Sabbath. The band, made unique by their slow, gloomy melodies and themes, released their self-titled album in 1970, and would go on to release classic platinum records such as Paranoid and Master of Reality throughout the rest of the decade. After the 1978 album Never Say Die, Osbourne was fired from Black Sabbath, which led him to form his own solo project. With his new manager and wife, Sharon, Osbourne formed his own band, the Blizzard of Ozz, with guitarist Randy Rhoads, bassist Bob Daisley, and drummer Lee Kerslake. The group's self-titled first album was released in September 1980 in the U.K. and early 1981 in the U.S. Blizzard of Ozz had some of the same ingredients of Black Sabbath: The lyrics focused on the occult and the guitars were loud and heavy, yet the band was more technically proficient and capable of pulling off variations on standard metal formulas. Featuring the hit singles "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley," Blizzard of Ozz reached number seven on the U.K. charts; it peaked at number 21 in the U.S., continuing to sell for over two years and becoming a huge success. Kerslake and Daisley would be replaced with Tommy Aldridge and Rudy Sarzo shortly before the subsequent November release of Diary of a Madman. This album, which included the drug ode "Flying High Again," charted at number 16 in the U.S. and became another huge seller. As the Diary tour went underway, sales for the album continued to improve as those of Black Sabbath waned. Osbourne had no trouble in attaining mass audiences, and his career seemed to have peaked. However, controversy soon erupted when he was accused of animal cruelty: During one performance, a bat was thrown on-stage by a fan and Osbourne bit its head off while supposedly thinking that it was fake. The show was canceled when he had to be rushed to the hospital for a rabies vaccination. Not long afterwards, Rhoads was killed in a bizarre plane accident, bringing the band's success to a screeching halt. Osbourne fell into a massive depression shortly after losing his best friend, and plans for his upcoming live album were soon changed. Instead of material recorded with Rhoads, 1982's Speak of the Devil featured live recordings of classic Black Sabbath material and was recorded with guitarist Brad Gillis. Osbourne was freed from his contract with Jet Records and showed up drunk at an Epic Records meeting with two doves, one of which he freed and the other of which he killed in the same manner as the bat; Osbourne was signed to the label. Jake E. Lee became Osbourne's new guitarist for the 1984 studio effort Bark at the Moon. While it didn't match the consistency of Blizzard of Ozz or Diary of a Madman, the record was equally successful, pushing the singer to embark on a tour with glam metal stalwarts Mötley Crüe. Although Bark at the Moon opened up to rave reviews, 1986's Ultimate Sin received rather harsh criticism. The album, although containing the hit single "Shot in the Dark," would be regarded as Osbourne's worst studio effort by numerous critics, who claimed it was redundant and uninteresting; nonetheless, the album was another smash hit.

Also in 1986, Osbourne was accused of encouraging suicide among listeners via use of subliminal messages in his Blizzard of Ozz song "Suicide Solution," a song that he claimed was written in relation to the effects of alcohol abuse. Although the case was eventually dismissed, Osbourne once again earned a feared reputation. He pulled up his profile in 1987 with Tribute, a live album recorded in 1981 that was dedicated to the memory of Randy Rhoads. Lee soon left the band, and was replaced with Zakk Wylde for No Rest for the Wicked, which would be released in 1988. The record proved to be one of his strongest yet, highlighted by "Miracle Man," in which Osbourne ridiculed evangelist (and longtime foe) Jimmy Swaggart. Just Say Ozzy, a live EP taken from the subsequent tour, was released in 1990. After recording a new studio album in 1991, Osbourne found himself without the usual enthusiasm to perform, due to his increasing age and his desire to spend more time with his family. When No More Tears was released in the fall, it was confirmed that the following tour would be Osbourne's last before retirement. Following the tour, a live double album, Live & Loud, was released in 1993 to commemorate Osbourne's career, and it was now assumed that the singer's glory days were over.

However, the retirement was not to be -- Osbourne resurfaced in 1995 with Ozzmosis, which, despite mixed reviews, would sell three million copies within a year after its release. After the subsequent tour proved to be one of the best-selling of the summer, Osbourne created Ozzfest, a tour package that would feature himself along with many other metal bands. While there were only two performances in 1996, a live album was nonetheless released, simply titled The Ozzfest. 1997's tour package included such metal acts as Pantera, Marilyn Manson, and a Black Sabbath reunion from which only Bill Ward was absent. With the exception of Sarah McLachlan's Lilith Fair, Ozzfest 1997 was the most successful tour of the year and Osbourne released a compilation album, The Ozzman Cometh, in November. Shortly afterwards, Osbourne united the entire original lineup of Black Sabbath to record the live album Reunion, which was released in 1998. He also found time to duet alongside rapper Busta Rhymes for a re-make of the Sabbath classic "Iron Man," re-titled "This Means War," which was included on Rhymes' 1998 release Extinction Level Event (The Final World Front). Sabbath continued to tour well into 1999, as they again headlined the year's Ozzfest, which was billed as their supposed final tour. The same year, a grisly Ozzy action figure was shipped out to toy stores -- complete with tiny decapitated bats. Osbourne also finally began work on the follow-up to his 1995 lackluster solo release, Ozzmosis, which saw him joined by returning guitarist Wylde, plus former Faith No More drummer Mike Bordin and former Suicidal Tendencies/Infectious Grooves bassist Robert Trujillo. 2001 was greeted with the news that not only was Black Sabbath reuniting once again for the summer's edition of Ozzfest, but that the quartet was going to enter the recording studio in the fall with producer Rick Rubin to work on the original lineup's first all-new album since 1978's Never Say Die. Unfortunately, Epic Records caught word of Osbourne's plans and stopped both a post-Ozzfest tour with Disturbed and the album itself until he finished his solo record. Ozzy fans were given the double-disc Ozzfest: Second Stage Live to tide them over in the meantime -- the collection included tracks from most of the bands that participated in the 2000 festival, as well as tracks from Ozzfest's inaugural 1996 lineup. Finally, the new solo album, Down to Earth, appeared in the fall of 2001, followed by a few successful rock radio singles and a huge Christmas tour with co-headliner Rob Zombie. Meanwhile, inspired by an episode of MTV's Cribs starring his family, Osbourne and the network's producers took a chance on creating a reality show based around the infamous singer. Following his family around the house for several months at the end of 2001, the end result was The Osbournes, one of the most successful shows in the history of the network. The show, which was equal parts documentary and sitcom, reinvented Osbourne as a befuddled father with a razor sharp wit and a loving family. It also proved to also be a critical success, and Osbourne found himself invited to a White House dinner to promote his animal protection activism, something that only came to light after an episode of the show dedicated to the family's numerous pets.

Ozzy Osbourne Trivia / Timeline:

His remake with daughter Kelly of the Black Sabbath song "Changes" went straight to #1 in the UK when it was released a week after his quad-bike accident.

Ozzy has long said that "Suicide Solution", a song about the dangers of alcoholism, was written as a tribute to former AC/DC vocalist 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.

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.

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.

Had two children from his first marriage (to Thelma Mayfair): Jessica (born 1973) and Louis (born 1975). He also adopted his first wife's son, Elliot Kingsley (born 1966), from a previous marriage. His children with second wife Sharon are Aimee (born 9-2-83), Kelly (born 10-27-84), and Jack (born 11-8-85).

Claims he sleeps with a bayonet under his bed.

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.

With wife Sharon, Ozzy announced that the family had agreed to a deal with MTV, worth a reported $20 million, to do two more seasons of 'The Osbournes', the highest rated show in the history of the channel. [May 2002]

Arrested in September 1989 after attempting to strangle wife Sharon 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 Osbournes meet with President Bush while attending the annual Correspondant's Association dinner. [May 4, 2002]

Honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame [April 12th, 2002]

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.

Father of Kelly Osbourne, Jack Osbourne, and Aimee Osbourne by current wife Sharon Osbourne; and of Jessica Hobbs and Louis Osbourne by first wife Thelma Reilly.

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.

Was one of the first "shock rockers."

Resides in Buckinghamshire, England and Los Angeles, California, USA.

Black Sabbath's name came from a 1963 film 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 of a 1963 Vincent Price horror film.

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".

Throws a bucket of water on the audience at his concerts.

Was the victim of a burglary at his Buckinghamshire (UK) home in November 2004. Almost £2 million worth of jewellery was stolen.

Is a fan of football club Aston Villa.

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.

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".

Former neighbour of Pat Boone. Boone's cover of "Crazy Train" was used as the theme for "The Osbournes".

Osbourne's father paid for the equipment, to spare him having to work a menial job after his failures in school.

Black Sabbath were voted the 85th Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Artists of all time by Rolling Stone.

He had a vasectomy in 1986.

Diagnosed with Parkin 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]

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 was treated to 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.

Ozzy Osbourne Quotes:

"Viagra's a great sleeping drug. I take Viagra, and Sharon goes right to sleep."

"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."

"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."

"My mother was an amateur singer, my father was an amateur drunk."

"The only black magic Sabbath ever got into was a box of chocolates."

"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."

"Sometimes I think my whole career and life has only been about a bloody Bat!"

"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."

Ozzy Osbourne Discography:

Ozzy Osbourne Filmography:

As Actor:

Dame Edna Live at the Palace (2003) (TV)

Moulin Rouge! (2001)

The Jerky Boys (1995)

Sam Kinison Banned (1990) (V)

Trick or Treat (1986)

Riders of the Storm (1986)

As Composer:

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004) (VG) (song "Hellraiser") (as John Osbourne) ... aka GTA 4 (USA: short title) ... aka GTA: San Andreas (USA: short title) ... aka Grand Theft Auto V (USA) ... aka San Andreas (USA: short title)

The School of Rock (2003) (song "Iron Man") (as John Osbourne) ... aka School of Rock (Germany) (USA: promotional title)

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002) (VG) (song "Bark at the Moon") ... aka Vice City (USA: short title)

Ozzy Osbourne: Live at Budokan (2002) (V) (songs)

Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace (2002) (TV) (song "Paranoid")

"The Osbournes" (2002) TV Series (theme "Crazy Train") (uncredited) ... aka The Curse of the Osbournes (UK)

Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001) (songs "Into the Void" and "Paranoid")

Little Nicky (2000) (song "No More Tears")

Almost Famous (2000) (songs "Paranoid" and "Sweet Leaf") (as John Osbourne)

Any Given Sunday (1999) (song "Paranoid") (as John Osbourne)

Detroit Rock City (1999) (song "Iron Man")

Universal Soldier: The Return (1999) (song "Crazy Train") ... aka Universal Soldier IV (USA: informal alternative title)

Black Sabbath: The Last Supper (1999) (V) (songs "War Pigs", "N.I.B.", "Electric Funeral", "Fairies Wear Boots", "Into the Void", "Sweet Leaf", "Snowblind", "Dirty Women", "Black Sabbath", "Iron Man", "Children of the Grave" and "Paranoid")

Black Sabbath: The Best of MusikLaden Live (1999) (V) (songs "Black Sabbath", "Paranoid" and "Iron Man")

Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996) (song "Walk on Water")

The Jerky Boys (1995) (song "Symptom Of The Universe")

Dazed and Confused (1993) (song "Paranoid")

Ozzy Osbourne: Live & Loud (1993) (V) (songs)

Black Sabbath: The Black Sabbath Story, Volume 1 (1992) (V) (songs)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) (song "Party With the Animals")

Ozzy Osbourne: Don't Blame Me (1991) (V) (songs)

Faith No More: Live at the Brixton Academy (1990) (V) (song)

Ozzy Osbourne: Wicked Videos (1988) (V) (songs)