Career Timeline of Ozzy Osbourne: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Ozzy Osbourne made an impact.
Ozzy Osbourne, born John Michael Osbourne, is a celebrated English singer, songwriter, and media personality. He gained fame in the 1970s as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath. Known for his distinct vocal style and stage presence, Osbourne became synonymous with the band's groundbreaking sound and dark imagery, earning him the moniker "Prince of Darkness." After being fired from Black Sabbath, he went on to achieve a successful solo career, solidifying his status as a rock icon and pioneering figure in heavy metal music. He has also appeared in reality television and various other media ventures.
1963: Inspiration from The Beatles
In 1963, after hearing The Beatles' first hit single, Osbourne became a fan and credited their song "She Loves You" with inspiring him to become a musician.
1967: First Band: Rare Breed
In late 1967, Geezer Butler formed his first band, Rare Breed, and recruited Osbourne to be the singer.
1968: Founding Member of Black Sabbath
In 1968, Osbourne became a founding member of the band Black Sabbath.
August 1969: Black Sabbath Name Change
In August 1969, the band formerly known as Earth settled on the name Black Sabbath, inspired by the film of the same title.
1969: First Encounter
In 1969, Iommi and Ward responded to Osbourne's flyer seeking a gig. This was the first collaboration of the musicians and they formed a band.
August 1970: First UK Chart Appearance
In August 1970, Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" reached number four, marking Ozzy Osbourne's first UK chart appearance.
1970: Black Sabbath Debut Album
In 1970, Osbourne provided lead vocals for Black Sabbath's self-titled debut album.
September 1972: Release of Black Sabbath Vol. 4
In September 1972, Black Sabbath released Black Sabbath Vol. 4, which achieved gold status in less than a month despite critical dismissal.
November 1973: Release of Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
In November 1973, Black Sabbath released the critically acclaimed Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.
July 1975: Release of Sabotage
In July 1975, Black Sabbath released the album Sabotage, which received favorable reviews.
September 1976: Release of Technical Ecstasy
On September 25, 1976, Black Sabbath released Technical Ecstasy, which met with mixed reviews.
May 1978: Never Say Die! Tour Begins
In May 1978, Black Sabbath began touring in support of Never Say Die! with Van Halen as an opening act.
June 1978: Hammersmith Odeon Concert
In June 1978, Black Sabbath recorded their concert at Hammersmith Odeon, which was released on video as Never Say Die.
1978: Solo Project: Blizzard of Ozz
In 1978, Osbourne left Black Sabbath for three months to pursue a solo project called Blizzard of Ozz, which was suggested by his father.
1978: Never Say Die!
In 1978, Osbourne provided lead vocals for Black Sabbath's album Never Say Die!
April 1979: Ejection from Black Sabbath
On April 27, 1979, Ozzy Osbourne was ejected from Black Sabbath due to unreliability and substance abuse issues.
1979: Fired from Black Sabbath
In 1979, Osbourne was fired from Black Sabbath due to alcohol and drug problems.
1979: Fired from Black Sabbath and Substance Misuse
In 1979, after being fired from Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne spent three months in his hotel room consuming vast amounts of alcohol and other drugs daily. He credits Sharon with saving his life by offering to manage him.
1979: Formation of Blizzard of Ozz
In late 1979, Ozzy Osbourne formed the Blizzard of Ozz band under the management of the Ardens.
1980: Solo Career Begins
In 1980, Osbourne began a successful solo career with the release of Blizzard of Ozz.
1981: Former band members let go.
In 1981, Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake were let go, leading to issues regarding owed royalties on the original masters.
1981: Substance Misuse Issues During Early Solo Career
In 1981, Don Airey, keyboardist for Ozzy Osbourne, left the band due to the vocalist's substance-misuse issues. Former bassist Rudy Sarzo detailed the frustrations of touring with the vocalist, who was in a state of near-constant inebriation.
1981: Live Recordings
In 1981, Ozzy Osbourne made live recordings that were later released as part of the 'Tribute' collection commemorating the fifth anniversary of Rhoads' death.
April 1982: Tour Resumes with Bernie Tormé
In April 1982, Ozzy Osbourne's tour resumed with Bernie Tormé, but his blues-based style was not well-received by fans, leading to his departure after a few shows.
1982: Guest Vocalist on Pop Track
In 1982, Ozzy Osbourne was featured as the lead vocalist on the Was (Not Was) pop dance track "Shake Your Head (Let's Go to Bed)".
1983: Jake E. Lee Joins Osbourne
In 1983, Jake E. Lee joined Ozzy Osbourne to record the album Bark at the Moon, which quickly became certified gold.
1985: Reunion with Black Sabbath
Ozzy Osbourne reunited with Black Sabbath in 1985.
May 1986: The Ultimate Sin Achieves Platinum Status
On May 14, 1986, Ozzy Osbourne's album, The Ultimate Sin, was awarded Platinum status by the RIAA shortly after its release.
1987: Jake E. Lee Parted Ways
In 1987, Jake E. Lee and Ozzy Osbourne parted ways. Osbourne commemorated the fifth anniversary of Randy Rhoads' death with Tribute, a collection of live recordings from 1981.
1988: Appeared in The Decline of Western Civilization Part II
In 1988, Osbourne appeared in The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years and found Zakk Wylde, who was the most enduring replacement for Rhoads.
1988: First Collaboration with Zakk Wylde on "No Rest for the Wicked"
In 1988, Ozzy Osbourne first collaborated with guitarist Zakk Wylde on the album "No Rest for the Wicked".
1989: Performed at the Moscow Music Peace Festival
In 1989, Ozzy Osbourne performed at the Moscow Music Peace Festival.
1991: Released No More Tears
In 1991, Ozzy Osbourne released the album No More Tears, which enjoyed significant radio and MTV exposure.
1992: "No More Tours" Tour
Ozzy Osbourne's "No More Tours II" in 2018 was a reference to his 1992 tour of the same name.
June 1993: Live & Loud Released
On June 28, 1993, the live album Live & Loud mixed by Michael Wagener was released. Intended to be Ozzy's final album, it went platinum four times.
October 1994: The Ultimate Sin Achieves Double Platinum Status
On October 26, 1994, Ozzy Osbourne's album, The Ultimate Sin, was awarded Double Platinum status by the RIAA.
1995: CD Catalogue Remastered and Reissued
In 1995, Ozzy Osbourne's entire CD catalog was remastered and reissued. He also released Ozzmosis and returned to touring with 'The Retirement Sucks Tour'.
October 1996: First Ozzfest Held
On October 25 and 26, 1996, the first Ozzfest was held in Phoenix, Arizona, and Devore, California.
1996: Butler and Castronovo Left
In early 1996, Geezer Butler and Deen Castronovo left Ozzy Osbourne's band. Mike Inez and Randy Castillo filled in.
August 1997: "Blizzard of Ozz" Achieves Quadruple Platinum
As of August 1997, Ozzy Osbourne's album "Blizzard of Ozz" had achieved quadruple platinum status, according to RIAA.
1997: Reunion with Black Sabbath Members at Ozzfest
In 1997, Ozzy Osbourne reunited with the original members of Black Sabbath during the Ozzfest tour, beginning in West Palm Beach, Florida, and has performed with them periodically since.
1997: The Ozzman Cometh Released
In 1997, Ozzy Osbourne's greatest hits package, The Ozzman Cometh, was issued.
April 1999: Ozzmosis Achieves Double Platinum Status
In April 1999, Ozzy Osbourne's album Ozzmosis was certified double platinum.
2000: Lawsuit Filed by Bob Daisley
In 2000, Bob Daisley, former band member, filed a lawsuit against Ozzy Osbourne, claiming Osbourne was delinquent in paying royalties.
October 2001: Down to Earth Album Release
On October 16, 2001, Ozzy Osbourne's album Down to Earth was released.
March 2002: Premiere of "The Osbournes"
On March 5, 2002, "The Osbournes", a reality television series featuring the domestic life of Ozzy Osbourne and his family, premiered on MTV.
June 2002: Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II Performance
In June 2002, Ozzy Osbourne performed the Black Sabbath anthem "Paranoid" at the Party at the Palace concert in the grounds of Buckingham Palace for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
2002: Lawsuit Filed by Lee Kerslake and Phil Soussan
In 2002, Lee Kerslake and Phil Soussan, former band members, filed a lawsuit against Ozzy Osbourne, claiming Osbourne was delinquent in paying royalties.
2002: Initial Development of Savage Skies
In 2002, the combat flight simulator Savage Skies was initially developed as Ozzy's Black Skies and was to feature Ozzy Osbourne's likeness and music, but licensing issues led to the removal of the Osbourne branding.
January 2003: Hosting the American Music Awards
In January 2003, Ozzy Osbourne and his family hosted the 30th Annual American Music Awards, which was marked by lewd remarks and caused Patricia Heaton to walk out in disgust.
November 2003: Dismissal of Lawsuit Upheld
In November 2003, a Federal Appeals Court upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by former band members Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake, regarding unpaid royalties and denied credit.
2003: Recruited Jason Newsted
In 2003, Ozzy Osbourne recruited former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted, though his time with Osbourne would be short.
2004: Headlined Ozzfest with Black Sabbath
After fully recovering from a quad accident, in 2004 Ozzy Osbourne headlined the Ozzfest, in the reunited Black Sabbath.
March 2005: Released Prince of Darkness Box Set
In March 2005, Ozzy Osbourne released a box set called Prince of Darkness, which included live performances, B-sides, demos, singles, duets, and cover songs.
March 2005: Final Episode of "The Osbournes"
On March 21, 2005, the final episode of "The Osbournes" aired on MTV.
November 2005: Released Under Cover Album
In November 2005, Ozzy Osbourne released the covers album Under Cover, featuring songs from the fourth disc of Prince of Darkness and additional tracks.
2005: Starred in Battle for Ozzfest
In 2005, Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon starred in an MTV competition reality show entitled "Battle for Ozzfest".
2005: Judge on the UK X-Factor
In 2005, Ozzy Osbourne helped judge the UK series of the X-Factor, where his wife Sharon was one of the main judges.
February 2006: TV Commercial for I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!
In February 2006, Ozzy Osbourne appeared in a TV commercial for I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! in the UK.
March 2006: Hoped to Release New Album with Zakk Wylde
In March 2006, Ozzy Osbourne said that he hoped to release a new studio album soon with Zakk Wylde.
October 2006: Heaven & Hell Tour Announcement
In October 2006, Tony Iommi, Ronnie James Dio, Vinny Appice, and Geezer Butler announced they would be touring together as Heaven & Hell.
2006: Closed Half of the Ozzfest Concerts
In 2006, Ozzy Osbourne closed just over half the Ozzfest concerts, leaving the others to be closed by System of a Down.
May 2007: Black Rain Album Release
On May 22, 2007, Ozzy Osbourne's album Black Rain was released. It was his first new studio album in almost six years.
2007: Returned for Another Year of Ozzfest
After the concert in Bristol, Virginia, in 2006, Ozzy Osbourne announced he would return for another year of Ozzfest in 2007.
2007: Free Tickets for Ozzfest Tour
In 2007, tickets for the Ozzfest tour were offered to fans free of charge, leading to some controversy.
February 2008: Hosting the BRIT Awards
On February 20, 2008, Ozzy, Sharon, Kelly, and Jack Osbourne hosted the 2008 BRIT Awards held at Earls Court, London.
July 2009: Seeking a New Guitar Player
In July 2009, Ozzy Osbourne revealed that he was seeking a new guitar player, wanting a change from Zakk Wylde's style.
August 2009: Performed at BlizzCon with Gus G
In August 2009, Ozzy Osbourne performed at the gaming festival BlizzCon with his new guitarist, Gus G.
October 2009: Publication of "I Am Ozzy"
In October 2009, Ozzy Osbourne published his autobiography, "I Am Ozzy". A movie adaptation was also in the works.
April 2010: Announced Scream Release Date
On April 13, 2010, Ozzy Osbourne announced the release date for his album Scream, initially set for June 15, 2010.
June 2010: Scream Album Release Date
In June 2010, Ozzy Osbourne's album Scream had its release date changed to a week later than the initially announced date.
July 2010: Discontinued Court Proceedings Over Black Sabbath Trademark
In July 2010, Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi chose to discontinue court proceedings regarding the ownership of the Black Sabbath trademark, stating that the issue was never personal, but always business.
August 2010: Announcement of "Life Won't Wait" Single
In August 2010, Ozzy Osbourne announced that "Life Won't Wait" would be the second single from his album, with the music video directed by his son, Jack. He also mentioned thinking about his next album.
October 2010: TEDMED Conference and Genome Analysis
In October 2010, at the TEDMED Conference, scientists from Knome discussed their analysis of Ozzy Osbourne's whole genome, shedding light on his survival despite decades of substance misuse.
2010: Ozzfest Tour
In 2010, Ozzy Osbourne appeared as the headliner closing the show after opening acts Halford and Mötley Crüe during the Ozzfest tour.
April 2011: Premiere of "God Bless Ozzy Osbourne"
In April 2011, the documentary film "God Bless Ozzy Osbourne" premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.
November 2011: DVD Release of "God Bless Ozzy Osbourne"
In November 2011, the documentary film "God Bless Ozzy Osbourne" was released on DVD.
November 2011: Black Sabbath Reunion Announcement
On November 11, 2011, the original Black Sabbath lineup announced their reunion for a world tour and new album.
May 2012: Black Sabbath Reunion Concert
On 21 May 2012, Black Sabbath played at the O2 Academy in Birmingham, their first concert since their reunion.
May 2013: Appearance in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
On 15 May 2013, Ozzy Osbourne, along with the current members of Black Sabbath, appeared in an episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation titled "Skin in the Game".
June 2013: Release of "13" Album
The Black Sabbath album, "13", was released on 11 June 2013, and topped both the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200.
December 2013: 65th Birthday Charity Request
On his 65th birthday on December 3, 2013, Ozzy Osbourne asked fans to celebrate by donating to the Royal Marsden cancer charity in London.
2013: Black Sabbath's Final Album
In 2013, Osbourne helped record Black Sabbath's final studio album, titled 13.
October 2014: Release of "Memoirs of a Madman"
In October 2014, Ozzy Osbourne released "Memoirs of a Madman", a collection celebrating his solo career. It included a CD with 17 singles and a DVD with music videos, live performances, and interviews.
August 2015: Confirmation of New Studio Album
In August 2015, Epic Records president Sylvia Rhone confirmed that Ozzy Osbourne was working on a new studio album.
January 2016: Start of Black Sabbath's Farewell Tour
In January 2016, Black Sabbath began a farewell tour, titled "The End", signifying the final performances of the band.
July 2016: Premiere of "Ozzy & Jack's World Detour"
On July 24, 2016, The History Channel premiered a comedy reality television series starring Ozzy Osbourne and his son Jack Osbourne named Ozzy & Jack's World Detour.
February 2017: Final Shows of The End Tour
The final shows of Black Sabbath's The End tour took place on 2 and 4 February 2017, in Birmingham, England.
April 2017: Reunion with Zakk Wylde for Summer Tour
In April 2017, it was announced that guitarist Zakk Wylde would reunite with Ozzy Osbourne for a summer tour to mark the 30th anniversary of their first collaboration.
August 2017: Metal Casino Founding
Metal Casino, where Ozzy Osbourne became an ambassador, was founded by metal music fans in August 2017.
November 2017: Appearance on Gogglebox and Sponsorship with Metal Casino
In November 2017, Ozzy Osbourne appeared on Gogglebox and became an ambassador for Metal Casino.
November 2017: Headline Act at Download Festival 2018 Announcement
In November 2017, Ozzy Osbourne was announced as the headline act for the Sunday of the 2018 Download Festival, marking his first solo headline appearance at the festival.
2017: Farewell Tour
In 2017, Black Sabbath's farewell tour concluded with a performance in Birmingham, marking the end of Osbourne's involvement with the band.
February 2018: Announcement of "No More Tours II"
In February 2018, Ozzy Osbourne announced his final world tour, "No More Tours II", with Stone Sour as support for the North American leg. He clarified he would still do gigs but no more extensive world tours.
2018: Headline Act at Download Festival
Ozzy Osbourne headlined the Download Festival in 2018 as part of his final world tour announcement.
January 2019: Sale of Ozzy Plush Bat Toy
On 20 January 2019, Ozzy Osbourne commemorated the 37th anniversary of the bat incident by offering an "Ozzy Plush Bat" toy "with detachable head" for sale on his personal web-store.
February 2019: Moved to Intensive Care and Fall
By February 12, 2019, Ozzy Osbourne had been moved to intensive care and later cancelled all shows scheduled for 2019 after sustaining serious injuries from a fall at his home while recovering from pneumonia.
February 2019: Branded Online Slots Game
In February 2019, Ozzy Osbourne's merchandising partner announced that he would have his own branded online slots game as part of the NetEnt Rocks music-themed portfolio.
February 2019: Hospitalized Due to Flu Complications
On February 6, 2019, Ozzy Osbourne was hospitalized due to flu complications, leading to the postponement of the European leg of his "No More Tours II" tour.
September 2019: New Album Finished After Post Malone Collaboration
In September 2019, Ozzy Osbourne announced that he had finished his new album in four weeks following his collaboration with Post Malone.
September 2019: Feature on Post Malone's "Take What You Want"
In September 2019, Ozzy Osbourne was featured on Post Malone's song "Take What You Want", which peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Osbourne's first US Top 10 single in 30 years.
February 2020: Cancelled North American Tour for Treatment
In February 2020, Ozzy Osbourne cancelled his 2020 North American tour to seek treatment in Switzerland until April.
February 2020: Release of "Ordinary Man" Album
In February 2020, Ozzy Osbourne released his first solo album in almost ten years, "Ordinary Man", which received positive reviews and debuted at number three on the UK Albums Chart. He expressed interest in making another album with Andrew Watt.
November 2021: Sony Announcement of New Album and Zakk Wylde's Involvement
In November 2021, Sony announced that Ozzy Osbourne's new album would be released within six months and that Zakk Wylde would have full involvement in the album, following his absence on "Ordinary Man".
June 2022: Announcement and Release of "Patient Number 9" Title Track
On June 24, 2022, Ozzy Osbourne announced his thirteenth album would be titled Patient Number 9 and released the title track with an accompanying music video that same day.
August 2022: Surprise Appearance at Commonwealth Games
On 8 August 2022, Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi made a surprise appearance during the closing ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, marking Ozzy's first live performance in three years.
September 2022: Release of "Patient Number 9" Album
On September 9, 2022, Ozzy Osbourne released his thirteenth album titled Patient Number 9.
January 2023: Cancellation of European Leg of "No More Tours II"
In January 2023, Ozzy Osbourne announced the cancellation of the European leg of the "No More Tours II" after postponements, effectively retiring from touring due to spinal damage from a 2019 accident but planned smaller scale performances if his health permitted.
September 2023: Announcement of New Album and Planned Return to the Road
In September 2023, Ozzy Osbourne revealed he was working on a new album with a planned 2024 release and preparing to go on the road following a successful spinal surgery.
2024: Planned Release of New Album
Ozzy Osbourne planned to release a new album in 2024, as announced in September 2023.
February 2025: Announcement of Final Show with Black Sabbath
On 5 February 2025, Ozzy Osbourne announced his final show alongside his band Black Sabbath, for a charity show at Villa Park in Birmingham on 5 July.
