Ozzy Osbourne: From Bat Bites to Royal Encounters

Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary Black Sabbath frontman, passed away today at the age of 76. He became an iconic figure synonymous with rock and metal, transitioning from outrageous antics to a beloved celebrity.

Osbourne’s infamous behavior included urinating on the Alamo, snorting ants off sidewalks, and most notoriously, biting off the head of a bat thrown on stage by a fan during a 1981 concert. He claimed he mistook it for a fake prop.

In 1987, he faced a lawsuit from the parents of a teenager who, while listening to his song “Suicide Solution,” took his own life. The case was dismissed, and Osbourne clarified that the song was about the hazards of alcohol, which had claimed the life of his friend Bon Scott, the lead vocalist of AC/DC.

In 1990, Cardinal John J. O’Connor of New York attributed demonic influences and suicides to Osbourne’s music. Osbourne’s response was sharp: “You misunderstand my songs and insult the intelligence of rock fans globally,” he said.

Fans at Osbourne’s concerts could expect to witness raunchy behavior, such as being spat on or mooning by the singer himself. Nevertheless, he often left audiences with a resounding, “God bless!” ringing in their ears.

Controversy Meets Charm

Whether performing solo or with his band, Osbourne was no stranger to controversy. He famously taunted TV evangelist Reverend Jimmy Swaggart in 1986 after the reverend criticized rock music as “the new pornography,” even leading some stores to pull his albums from shelves.

After Swaggart’s scandal with a sex worker in 1988, Osbourne fired back with his song “Miracle Man,” which included lyrics mocking the televangelist’s moral failures.

Later in his career, a different side of Osbourne emerged through the MTV reality show “The Osbournes,” which aired from 2002-2005. Viewers saw him navigating daily life, complaining about the difficulties of operating satellite television and warning his children against drinking and smoking.

Osbourne also joined his son Jack on the travel series “Ozzy & Jack’s World Detour,” exploring iconic American landmarks like Mount Rushmore and the Space Center in Houston. In 2014, he was honored when a newly discovered bat frog species was named Dendropsophus ozzyi, celebrating his unique connection to bats.

He even had a memorable encounter with Queen Elizabeth II during her Golden Jubilee weekend in which she humorously remarked about him and fellow entertainer Cliff Richard, “Oh, so this is what they call variety!”

In 1971, Osbourne married Thelma Riley, adopting her son, Elliot Kingsley, and they welcomed two more children, Jessica and Louis. His future wife Sharon, who established her own celebrity brand, met Osbourne when collecting debts owed by him while managing her father Don Arden’s Los Angeles office.

After years of ups and downs, they officially married in 1982 and had three children together: Kelly, Aimee, and Jack. Their relationship has been marked by a series of separations and reconciliations.

– with 1News.co.nz