Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Ozzy Osbourne

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Ozzy Osbourne.

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

1971: First Cocaine Experience

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

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.

1981: Incident with CBS Europe Head

In 1981, Ozzy Osbourne claims he performed a striptease and kissed a CBS Europe executive while intoxicated. Sharon Osbourne claims he goose-stepped and urinated in the executive's wine but was too drunk to remember.

January 1982: Bat Head-Biting Incident

On January 20, 1982, Ozzy Osbourne bit the head off a bat during a performance at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Des Moines, Iowa. He thought it was a rubber bat, but it was actually alive and bit him, leading to rabies treatment.

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.

May 1984: Arrest for Public Intoxication

In May 1984, Ozzy Osbourne was arrested in Memphis, Tennessee, for public intoxication.

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: Diary of a Madman Booklet

According to Ozzy Osbourne in the booklet to the 2002 edition of Diary of a Madman, the bat he bit the head off in January 1982 was alive and bit him, resulting in Osbourne being treated for rabies.

2002: Savage Skies Game Development

In 2002, the dark fantasy combat flight simulator Savage Skies was initially developed under the title Ozzy's Black Skies and was to feature Ozzy Osbourne's likeness and songs, but licensing issues forced the developer to re-tool the game.

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.

January 2003: Host of American Music Awards

In January 2003, Ozzy Osbourne and his family hosted the 30th Annual American Music Awards. The night was marked with constant "bleeping" due to some of the lewd and raunchy remarks made by Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, leading to Patricia Heaton walking out in disgust.

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.

2004: Rolling Stone Article

According to a 2004 Rolling Stone article, the bat that Ozzy bit the head off in January 1982 was alive at the time.

2007: Free Tickets for Ozzfest Tour in 2007

In 2007, tickets for the Ozzfest tour were offered to fans free of charge, which led to some controversy.

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.