Episode 488: Ozzy Osbourne: Booze, Bats, and Black Sabbath
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
On this episode of the World Famous Sofa King Podcast, we look at the life, music, antics, and tv shows of the epic Ozzy Osbourne. Whether it be through his early time in the legendary Black Sabbath, through his amazing solo career, biting heads off bats (or doves), or his show The Osbournes, most people know the name Ozzy. His work in Black Sabbath created an entirely new type of metal rock and roll, and they crafted some of the greatest rock hits ever. Ozzy continued with hit after hit and drug after drug in his own solo career and lived a life worthy of discussion.
He was born to a working class family in Birmingham. His birth name was John Michael Osbourne, but he took the nickname Ozzy as a child. He battled with learning disabilities and dyslexia, and he was sexually abused by other kids as a child, and this led him to hate school, rebel, and start doing drugs. After hearing the Beatles for the first time, he knew his path was going to be that of a musician. But he started in a short career in crime, getting busted for burglary and doing a brief stint in jail.
When he got out, he met the other musicians that would set his destiny. He joined a band formed by bass player Terence “Geezer” Butler, guitarist Tony Iommi, and drummer Bill Ward. They called themselves Earth, but had to change the name. They settled, thankfully, on Black Sabbath. This group of musicians changed the face of rock and created the type of metal that ushered in everyone from Metallica to Guns N’ Roses. With hits like Paranoid, Iron Man, and War Pigs, they climbed the charts. And did so many drugs. Eventually, Ozzy was fired for being too wild and had to fly solo. Unlike many front men now without an act, Ozzy excelled. He kept churning out classics and hits. In this period he met Sharon and had his second batch of kids (he had a first wife and first set of kids but wasn’t ever there for them).
They, of course, were chronicled in the TV show, The Osbournes. It was the highest rated show on MTV, back when MTV had high ratings. It won an Emmy, and it made a whole different generations and types of people come to love Ozzy. In fact, the show is sometimes credited for giving his darker music a more global audience since they were able to finally see him for the genius that he was after the show humanized him.
So what type of drugs did Ozzie do? How many times did he quit music, and why did he always go back? How times did he quit drugs, and why did he always go back? What happened the time he tried to strangle Sharon? Did he really bite the head off a bat and a dove? What is the Ozzy Stare?Did he really dip his balls in a music executive’s champaigne glass? When was he diagnosted with Parkinsons? Is he still recording music? Listen, laugh, and learn.
Visit Our Sources:
https://www.biography.com/musician/ozzy-osbourne
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozzy_Osbourne
https://www.festivalsherpa.com/10-facts-ozzy-osbourne-will-make-jaws-drop/
https://www.factinate.com/people/42-wild-facts-ozzy-osbourne/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Osbournes
https://www.pensandpatron.cm/lifestyle/osbourne-family/
Shot in the Dark Ozzy Stare (1:35ish into the video): https://www.facebook.com/RRROCKSTARS/videos/191770758145838/?v=191770758145838
Visit our online store to find Sofa King Podcast shirts, stickers and other merchandise.
Join our email list to get the latest Sofa King Podcast news.
