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.

John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is a prominent English singer, songwriter, and media personality. He achieved fame in the 1970s as the lead vocalist of the influential heavy metal band Black Sabbath. During this time, he gained the moniker "Prince of Darkness" due to the band's dark and heavy sound. After being fired from Black Sabbath, Ozzy embarked on a successful solo career, further solidifying his status as a rock icon. His solo work explored similar themes and continued his signature heavy metal style. Beyond music, Ozzy became a reality television star through "The Osbournes", offering a glimpse into his family life and contributing to his enduring popularity.

Sections (6)

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

1971: First Experience with Cocaine

In early 1971, Ozzy Osbourne had his first experience with cocaine at a hotel in Denver, Colorado, after a Black Sabbath show with Mountain. Mountain's guitarist, Leslie West, introduced him to the drug.

April 1979: Osbourne Ejected 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 and Solo Career Begins

In 1979, Osbourne was fired from Black Sabbath due to issues with alcohol and drugs, after which he began a successful solo career.

1979: Departure from Black Sabbath

Upon being fired from Black Sabbath in 1979, Ozzy Osbourne spent the next three months locked in his hotel room taking vast amounts of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco all day, every day.

1981: Substance Abuse Issues

Ozzy Osbourne's misuse of substances caused friction within his band. Many shows on the American leg of the 1981-82 Diary of a Madman tour were simply cancelled, and the members of his band quickly began to tire of the unpredictability.

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, profoundly affecting Osbourne and leading to a two-week tour cancellation.

April 1982: Tour Resumes with Torme, Gillis Hired

In April 1982, Ozzy Osbourne's tour resumed with Bernie Tormé, but his blues style was unpopular. Brad Gillis of Night Ranger was then selected to finish the tour after Torme returned to England. The tour culminated in the release of the live album, "Speak of the Devil".

1984: Suicide Solution Controversy

In 1984, John McCollum committed suicide while listening to Ozzy Osbourne's song "Suicide Solution", sparking allegations that Osbourne promoted suicide. The McCollum family sued Osbourne, but the courts ruled in Osbourne's favor, determining there was no connection between the song and McCollum's suicide.

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1991: Waller v. Osbourne Lawsuit

In 1991, Ozzy Osbourne was sued by the parents of Michael Waller for $9 million over allegations that his music incited their son's suicide. The courts once again ruled in Osbourne's favour.

2000: Lawsuit from Former Band Members

In 2000, former band members Bob Daisley, Lee Kerslake, and Phil Soussan filed a lawsuit against Ozzy Osbourne, alleging he was delinquent in paying them royalties and denying them due credit on albums they played on.

2002: Lawsuit from Former Band Members

In 2002, former band members Bob Daisley, Lee Kerslake, and Phil Soussan continued their lawsuit against Ozzy Osbourne, alleging he was delinquent in paying them royalties and denying them due credit on albums they played on.

November 2003: Lawsuit Dismissal Upheld

In November 2003, a Federal Appeals Court unanimously upheld the dismissal of the lawsuit brought by Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake against Ozzy Osbourne. The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that Osbourne does not owe any royalties or credit to the former band members.

December 2003: Quad Bike Accident and Emergency Surgery

On December 8, 2003, Ozzy Osbourne had an accident with his quad bike on his estate in Jordans, Buckinghamshire. He broke his collar bone, eight ribs, and a neck vertebra and was rushed into emergency surgery at Slough's Wexham Park Hospital.

2003: Medication Overdose

In 2003, Ozzy Osbourne told the Los Angeles Times how he was nearly incapacitated by medication prescribed by a doctor. The doctor was alleged to have prescribed 13,000 doses of 32 drugs in one year. However, after a nine-year investigation, the physician was exonerated.

May 2005: Diagnosis of Parkin syndrome

In May 2005, Ozzy Osbourne discovered he had Parkin syndrome, a genetic condition with symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease. He learned he would need daily medication for life to manage the tremors associated with the condition.

July 2010: Trademark Dispute Resolved

In July 2010, Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi decided to discontinue court proceedings over ownership of the Black Sabbath trademark, resolving the issue amicably.

April 2013: Relapse and Apology

In April 2013, Ozzy Osbourne announced via Facebook that he had relapsed into smoking, drinking, and drug use for the past year and a half, attributing it to a "very dark place". He stated he had been sober again since early March and apologized to his family, friends, bandmates, and fans for his behavior.

February 2019: Moved to Intensive Care

By February 12, 2019, Ozzy Osbourne had been moved to intensive care. He later cancelled the tour entirely, and ultimately all shows scheduled for 2019, after sustaining serious injuries from a fall in his Los Angeles home while still recovering from pneumonia. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in February 2019.

February 2019: Hospitalization for 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. He suffered from a severe upper-respiratory infection following a bout with the flu, which his doctor feared could develop into pneumonia.

January 2020: Parkinson's Diagnosis Revealed

In January 2020, Ozzy Osbourne publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in February 2019.

February 2020: North American Tour Cancellation

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

2020: Emphysema Reveal

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

January 2023: Cancellation of European Leg of No More Tours II

In January 2023, Ozzy Osbourne announced the cancellation of the European leg of his No More Tours II tour, citing spinal damage from an accident in 2019. This effectively marked his retirement from large-scale touring.