Challenges in the Life of Ozzy Osbourne in a Detailed Timeline

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Ozzy Osbourne. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Ozzy Osbourne is an English singer, songwriter, and media personality, best known as the lead singer of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath. Gaining prominence in the 1970s, he became an iconic figure in the heavy metal genre, known by his nickname 'Prince of Darkness'. After being dismissed from Black Sabbath, Ozzy launched a successful solo career, further solidifying his status as a major force in the music industry. His career extends beyond music, including reality television shows, making him a well-known celebrity.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1978: Substance Misuse Confession

In a 1978 interview with Sounds, Ozzy Osbourne confessed to misusing alcohol and other drugs, questioning why so many people felt the need to get intoxicated.

April 1979: Ozzy Osbourne Ejected from Black Sabbath

On April 27, 1979, Ozzy Osbourne was ejected from Black Sabbath due to unreliability and excessive substance abuse issues.

1979: Ozzy Fired from Black Sabbath

In 1979, Ozzy Osbourne was fired from Black Sabbath due to problems with alcohol and other drugs. This marked the end of his initial tenure with the band.

1979: Post-Black Sabbath Firing

Upon being fired from Black Sabbath in 1979, Ozzy Osbourne spent three months locked in his hotel room misusing alcohol and other drugs. He credits Sharon with saving his life by offering to manage him as a solo artist.

1981: Substance Misuse Impacts Band

Ozzy Osbourne's substance misuse caused friction within his band in 1981. Don Airey left the band due to Osbourne's substance issues. Rudy Sarzo detailed frustrations with Osbourne's inebriation.

February 1982: Alamo Cenotaph Incident

On February 18, 1982, Ozzy Osbourne urinated on a cenotaph near the Alamo while drunk, leading to his arrest and a ban from San Antonio for a decade. He had fired his band earlier that day after they refused to participate in a live album.

March 1982: Death of Randy Rhoads

On March 19, 1982, Randy Rhoads, along with Andrew Aycock and Rachel Youngblood, died in a plane crash during the Diary of a Madman tour. The plane crashed while performing low passes over the band's tour bus, resulting in a deep depression for Ozzy Osbourne.

April 1982: Ozzy Osbourne's Tour Resumes with Bernie Tormé

In April 1982, Ozzy Osbourne resumed his tour with Bernie Tormé after a replacement was found for Randy Rhoads. However, Tormé's blues-based style was not well-received by fans, leading to his departure after only a few shows.

1984: Suicide Solution Controversy

In 1984, John McCollum committed suicide while listening to Ozzy Osbourne's song "Suicide Solution", which led to allegations that Osbourne promoted suicide in his songs. McCollum's parents sued Osbourne, but the courts ruled in Osbourne's favour.

August 1989: Alleged Attempt to Strangle Sharon

In August 1989, Sharon Osbourne claimed that Ozzy tried to strangle her after returning from the Moscow Music Peace Festival. This incident led to six months in rehabilitation for Ozzy.

1991: Waller v. Osbourne Lawsuit

In 1991, Ozzy Osbourne was sued by the parents of Michael Waller for $9 million, with similar allegations to the previous lawsuit regarding the song "Suicide Solution". The courts ruled in Osbourne's favour once again.

2000: Lawsuit Filed by Former Band Members

In 2000, former band members Bob Daisley, Lee Kerslake, and Phil Soussan filed lawsuits stating Ozzy Osbourne was delinquent in paying them royalties and denied them credit on albums they played on.

2002: Continued Lawsuits

In 2002, the lawsuits initially filed in 2000 by Bob Daisley, Lee Kerslake, and Phil Soussan were ongoing, alleging that Ozzy Osbourne was delinquent in paying royalties and denying them credit on albums.

November 2003: Lawsuit Dismissal Upheld

In November 2003, a Federal Appeals Court upheld the dismissal of the lawsuit brought by Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake. The US Court of Appeals ruled Ozzy Osbourne did not owe royalties or credit to the former band members.

December 2003: Osbourne's Quad Bike Accident

On December 8, 2003, Ozzy Osbourne had an accident with his quad bike on his estate, resulting in broken bones and emergency surgery. He stopped breathing following the crash and was resuscitated.

2003: Medication Overdose

In 2003, Ozzy Osbourne revealed that he was nearly incapacitated by excessive medication prescribed by a Beverly Hills doctor. The doctor was later exonerated of excessive prescribing after a nine-year investigation.

May 2005: Diagnosis of Parkin Syndrome

In May 2005, Ozzy Osbourne discovered that he had Parkin syndrome, a genetic condition with symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease. As a result, he would require daily medication for the rest of his life to manage involuntary shudders.

2010: Driver's License Struggles

In 2010, during an interview on the Howard Stern Show, Ozzy Osbourne revealed that it took him 19 attempts to get his driver’s license due to being frequently drunk.

January 2013: Minor Burns from House Fire

In January 2013, Ozzy Osbourne suffered minor burns after a small house fire.

April 2013: Relapse and Apology

In April 2013, Ozzy Osbourne admitted on Facebook that he had relapsed into smoking, drinking, and drug use for the past year and a half, citing a "very dark place." He apologized to Sharon, his family, friends, bandmates, and fans for his "insane" behaviour during that time and stated that he had been sober again since early March.

February 2019: Move to Intensive Care

By February 12, 2019, Ozzy Osbourne had been moved to intensive care due to complications from the flu. He also sustained serious injuries from a fall later in the month. Additionally, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in February 2019.

February 2019: Hospitalization and Tour Postponement

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. The issue was described as a severe upper-respiratory infection that could develop into pneumonia.

January 2020: Parkinson's Disease Revelation

In January 2020, Ozzy Osbourne publicly revealed his diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, which he was diagnosed with in February 2019.

February 2020: North American Tour Cancellation

In February 2020, Ozzy Osbourne cancelled the 2020 North American tour to seek treatment in Switzerland until April.

2020: Emphysema Revelation

In 2020, Ozzy Osbourne revealed that he had the smoking-induced lung condition, emphysema.

January 2023: No More Tours II European Leg Canceled

In January 2023, Ozzy Osbourne announced that the European leg of the No More Tours II would be canceled after almost two years of being postponed due to health reasons. This effectively marked his retirement from touring, although he planned to continue smaller-scale live performances as his health permitted.