Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath and solo artist, has had an extraordinary and often controversial life both on and off the stage. From his rough beginnings in Birmingham to his rise as the Prince of Darkness, Ozzy’s career is filled with moments that have shocked, inspired, and intrigued fans across the globe. Whether he’s making headlines for outrageous behavior or his influential contributions to rock music, there’s no denying his influence on the genre.
In this article, we’ll look at ten fascinating and sometimes surprising facts about Ozzy Osbourne—from his early struggles and personal battles to some of the wildest stories from his time in the spotlight.
1. In His Younger Days, Ozzy Osbourne Spent Three Months in Jail
Before his infamous days on the road, Ozzy Osbourne faced legal issues early in life. In the documentary The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne, he recounts how, as a young man, he was imprisoned for breaking into a local shop, resulting in a six-week sentence.
During this time, he received one of his first tattoos, inked on his hand by a fellow inmate serving a life sentence. Ozzy described his prison experience as quite challenging, stating, “When you’re in a place full of bad people, it’s a bit of an education.” He added, “They don’t want to kill you; they want to have sex with a young boy with long auburn hair. One month in jail was long enough.”
This period marked a significant turning point in his life, steering him away from crime and toward his passion for music.
2. Ozzy Osbourne Nearly Died in a 2003 Accident
In 2003, Ozzy Osbourne narrowly escaped death after a severe accident involving a 350cc Yamaha Banshee quad bike at his Buckinghamshire home. The crash occurred on December 8th, leaving him with a broken collarbone, eight fractured ribs, and a broken neck vertebra. At the time, Ozzy was 55 years old.
The injuries were so severe that he stopped breathing, requiring life-saving CPR performed by his former bodyguard, Sam Ruston. This dramatic event underscores the resilience of the Prince of Darkness, who defied the odds to recover from his injuries.
3. Ozzy’s First Tattoo Was Inked on His Knuckles
One of Ozzy Osbourne’s first tattoos is the “O-Z-Z-Y” inked across his knuckles. Done as a DIY job when he was just 16, Ozzy has shared that it was one of the few tattoos he got while sober.
His influence extends far beyond music; Brian Fallon, frontman of The Gaslight Anthem, displays the same “Ozzy” tattoo on his left hand’s knuckles, done by Bryan Kienlen of Bouncing Souls, as a tribute to his admiration for the Prince of Darkness.
4. Ozzy Osbourne Can’t Read Sheet Music
Ozzy Osbourne cannot read sheet music or play guitar or other instruments, though he occasionally plays the harmonica. He’s exceptionally skilled at the harmonica, as demonstrated on Black Sabbath’s classic track “The Wizard.” While his bandmates typically write songs for him, Ozzy’s distinctive voice has always been a defining element of his music.
5. Ozzy’s Emotional Song Dedications
Ozzy Osbourne’s songs often carry deep personal meaning. “Mama I’m Coming Home,” released in 1991 on the No More Tears album, was written for his second wife, Sharon. The song reflects his feelings of longing and reconciliation after spending time away on tour, and it became one of his biggest solo hits.
“Suicide Solution” appeared on Ozzy’s debut solo album Blizzard of Ozz in 1980 and was written in memory of AC/DC frontman Bon Scott, who died of alcohol poisoning that year. The song addresses the dangers of substance abuse, though it sparked controversy when it was misinterpreted as promoting suicide.
Lastly, “Goodbye to Romance” was featured on Blizzard of Ozz in 1980. It was Ozzy’s emotional farewell to Black Sabbath, expressing his sadness and hope as he left the band to begin his solo career.
6. Ozzy Osbourne Ate a Bat During a Concert in 1982
On one particular night in 1982, Ozzy Osbourne performed on stage in a concert that would haunt him for the rest of his career. During the show, he noticed a bat flying around (thrown onto the stage from the crowd). He grabbed it and bit into it, thinking it was a toy, only to discover it was real.
Reflecting on the moment, Ozzy said, “I thought it was a rubber bat. I picked it up, put it in my mouth, crunched down, bit into it, being the clown that I am.” After the incident, he was rushed to the hospital and received rabies vaccinations. This infamous moment remains one of the most notorious events in rock history.
7. Ozzy Osbourne’s Battle with Parkinson’s Disease
Ozzy Osbourne was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2003 but kept the condition private for many years.
In January 2020, during an interview on Good Morning America, Sharon Osbourne explained the nature of his diagnosis, stating: “There’s so many different types of Parkinson’s; it’s not a death sentence by any stretch of the imagination, but it does affect certain nerves in your body. And it’s – it’s like you have a good day, a good day, and then a really bad day.“
Ozzy has also undergone four surgeries on his spine following a severe fall in 2019, adding to his health challenges. Despite this, he continues to push forward, raising awareness about living with Parkinson’s.
8. Ozzy Worked as a Plumber and in a Slaughterhouse Before Fame
Before rising to fame with Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne accepted several low-paying, gritty jobs to make enough money. After dropping out of school at 15 due to financial hardships and his struggles with dyslexia, he worked as a plumber’s apprentice. He also spent two years working in a slaughterhouse, where his job was to kill cows using a gun that fired steel spikes into their heads.
9. Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi Used to Hate Each Other in School
Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi, who would later become bandmates in Black Sabbath, went to school together and couldn’t stand each other then. Ozzy has reflected on their relationship, revealing that they used to be “arch-enemies.” Despite their rocky start, the pair eventually joined forces to create one of history’s most iconic rock bands.
10. Ozzy Tried to Kill His Wife Sharon in 1989
In 1989, during a period of heavy drinking, Ozzy Osbourne attempted to strangle his wife, Sharon. Sharon recounted the terrifying night in Biography: The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne. She was in her bedroom when Ozzy, heavily intoxicated, entered the room. He calmly told her, “We’ve come to a decision that you’ve got to die,” before violently choking her.
Ozzy later woke up in a police station, unaware of what he had done, and only learned from an officer that he had tried to kill his wife. This event marked a turning point in Ozzy’s battle with addiction.
