Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Ozzy Osbourne
Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Ozzy Osbourne.
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.
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.
1978: Admitted to Substance Misuse
In 1978, Ozzy Osbourne admitted to Sounds magazine that he regularly got high and drunk, questioning the system that led people to substance misuse.
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.
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: Dove Head-Biting Incident
In 1981, Ozzy Osbourne bit the head off a dove during a meeting with CBS Records executives in Los Angeles, leading to controversy and becoming a part of his infamous persona.
1981: CBS Europe Incident
In 1981, Ozzy Osbourne claims in his autobiography that he was invited to a meeting with the head of CBS Europe in Germany. Intoxicated, he performed a striptease on the table and then kissed the record executive on the lips. According to his wife Sharon, he had actually performed a goose-step up and down the table and urinated in the executive's wine, but was too drunk to remember.
January 1982: Bat Head-Biting Incident
On 20 January 1982, Ozzy Osbourne bit the head off a bat during a performance in Des Moines, Iowa, resulting in him being treated for rabies after the bat bit him.
February 1982: Urinating on the Alamo Cenotaph
On February 18, 1982, Ozzy Osbourne drunkenly urinated on a cenotaph near the Alamo in Texas and was arrested, leading to a decade-long ban from the city. He also drunkenly fired his entire band and physically attacked Randy Rhoads and Rudy Sarzo.
1983: Murder Linked to "Bark at the Moon"
On New Year's Eve 1983, Canadian youth James Jollimore killed a woman and her two sons after listening to the song "Bark at the Moon", claiming the song influenced his actions.
May 1984: Arrested for Public Intoxication in Memphis
In May 1984, Ozzy Osbourne was arrested in Memphis, Tennessee, for public intoxication.
1984: Suicide Linked to "Suicide Solution"
In 1984, California teenager John McCollum committed suicide while listening to Ozzy Osbourne's "Suicide Solution", leading to allegations that Osbourne promoted suicide in his songs.
August 1989: Attempted Strangulation of Sharon Osbourne
In August 1989, Sharon Osbourne claimed that Ozzy had tried to strangle her after returning home from the Moscow Music Peace Festival in a haze of alcohol and drugs. This led to Ozzy spending six months in rehabilitation.
1991: Waller v. Osbourne Lawsuit
In 1991, Ozzy Osbourne was sued by the parents of Michael Waller for $9 million due to his son's suicide, similar to the 1984 McCollum case, but the courts once again ruled in Osbourne's favour.
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.
2002: Diary of a Madman Booklet
According to Osbourne in the booklet to the 2002 edition of Diary of a Madman, the bat he bit the head off on January 20, 1982, was alive and bit him, resulting in Osbourne being treated for rabies.
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: Over-Medication Incident
In 2003, Ozzy Osbourne revealed that he was nearly incapacitated by medication prescribed by a Beverly Hills doctor, who allegedly prescribed 13,000 doses of 32 drugs in one year. The doctor was later exonerated.
2004: Rolling Stone Article on Bat Incident
According to a 2004 Rolling Stone article, the bat that Ozzy Osbourne bit the head off in January 1982 was alive at the time.
2007: Free Tickets for Ozzfest Tour
In 2007, tickets for the Ozzfest tour were offered to fans free of charge, leading to some controversy.
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.
April 2013: Relapse and Apology
In April 2013, Ozzy Osbourne revealed that he had relapsed into smoking, drinking, and drug use for the past year and a half, but had been sober again since early March. He apologized to his family, friends, bandmates, and fans.
