OZZY OSBOURNE is one of rock n' roll's most lovable characters and has played the outrageous archetypal rock star image to the hilt. His has been a career dogged by controversy, tragedy, humour, and many a headline. He's bitten the head off a dove, had to have rabies injections after being bitten back by a bat, been sued for allegedly inciting a 19-year-old to commit suicide (through the lyrics to "Suicide Solution") and been arrested for pissing on the Alamo...
Born in Birmingham in 1948, Ozzy Osbourne (whose real name is John Osbourne) officially left BLACK SABBATH in 1979, after the band's eighth opus, Never Say Die (he originally quit the Sabs back in 1977, but was persuaded back into their ranks for the album and supporting tour). Ozzy was very much the public face of Black Sabbath, and it was here that he first gained his crazy reputation, which was to get even more out of hand when he eventually went solo.
BLIZZARD OF OZZ (1980) & DIARY OF A MADMAN (1981)
Ozzy's new band (originally entitled Blizzard of Oz, but changed to Ozzy Osbourne upon the release of his second album, Diary of a Madman) produced their first record, Blizzard of Ozz, which was recorded with the original lineup of unknown American guitarist Randy Rhoades, (ex-QUIET RIOT), much-traveled bassist Rob Daisley (ex-WIDOWMAKER, URIAH HEEP, RAINBOW), and drummer Lee Kerslake (ex-URIAH HEEP). However, Kerslake and Daisley were soon replaced by Tommy Aldridge, ex-PAT TRAVERS, BLACK OAK ARKANSAS, and Rudy Sarzo, drums and bass, respectively for the follow-up Diary of a Madman. These two albums featured such timeless classics as "Suicide Solution," "Mr Crowley," "Crazy Train," and "Flying High," again firmly establishing Ozzy as a major figure both in the UK and the States.
Both records displayed Rhoades' unique, outstanding, at times melodious, and others totally frantic, guitar work, and to this day are a must for any serious Ozzy Osbourne fan.
The title Madman, which Ozzy dubbed on himself, became a reality, particularly during the mayhem surrounding his live performances. Ozzy's antics were taking him from relative obscurity to mega status all over the world. His name was becoming known to everyone everywhere, and he continued to build up a hugely loyal following. He married manager Sharon Arden, whose father, Don Arden, ran Jet Records, to whom Ozzy was at that time signed.
Ozzy's series of outrageous antics and press interviews gave him a madcap image that eventually nearly resulted in his personal downfall. This, coupled with the tragic loss of guitarist Randy Rhoades on a plane crash during his 1982 US tour, left an indelible scar on Ozzy's mind and almost saw him end his career for good there and then. Randy wasn't only his partner musically, but also a very close friend. Ozzy and Randy had taken on the world and had very quickly become one of the most talked about live partnerships of the early 80s.
About this time, a live album featuring Rhoades was scheduled for release, but in reality didn't get onto the record shelves until 1987. See Tribute.
TALK OF THE DEVIL (1982)
Defiant to the end, Ozzy recruited ex-GILLAN guitarist Bernie Torme. However, Torme left to be replaced by Brad Gillis, ex-RUBICON, NIGHTRANGER). With friction brewing between Ozzy and his former band, it was decided to release the double live album Talk of the Devil, consisting solely of Sabbath songs in answer to a live album put out by the Sabs entitled Live Evil, featuring the vocal talents of one RONNIE JAMES DIO.
During the tour of 82-83, bassist Rudy Sarzo suddenly quit to re-join QUIET RIOT, and Pete Way, ex-UFO, stood in for him.
In February 1983, Gillis and Way departed the ranks of the band. Gillis returned to Nightranger and Way to WAYSTED, and Jake E. Lee (ex-ROUGH CUT and RATT), and Don "Cheesegrater" Costa (ex-WASP) joined the ranks. Costa shortly left and set up his own band, M-80. Two nutters in one band was just a little too much!
BARK AT THE MOON (1983)
Bob Daisley then re-joined the band for the excellent Bark at the Moon album, which also featured the virtuoso talents of keyboard man Don Airy (ex-Rainbow).
However, Ozzy, now with the Epic label, couldn't hang on to this team of pros for very long, though. Aldridge left to join TONY McALPINE's Driver project, where his power rhythm stablemate, Rudy Sarzo, was at the time playing. As a replacement for him, Ozzy called in drummer Carmine Apice for the 83-84 tour. It was about this time that Ozzy decided to call in a doctor to curb his alcoholism, which was getting quite out of hand.
In early 1985, gossip indicated that Ozzy would re-join Sabbath after he joined them on stage for a once-off set for Live Aid. These rumours were totally without foundation. Ozzy had no intention of retracing his former footsteps again.
THE ULTIMATE SIN (1986)
Ozzy's new band recorded The Ultimate Sin, an album which Ozzy himself doesn't really rate that much, except for the artwork which he's got framed, which again featured the guitar histrionics of Lee. Through auditions, a plethora of musos were tried out until drummer Randy Castillo (ex-LITA FORD), and bassist Phil Soussan (ex-WILDLIFE, ROBIN GEORGE), were recruited. In August of that year, Ozzy headlined the Monsters of Rock Festival at Donington Park, seeing the band at their commercial peak.
TRIBUTE (1987)
The live album, which had been recorded five years earlier, was brought out in 1987 in recognition of Randy Rhoads' contribution to the band and as a mark of respect. It was simply entitled Tribute, and it proved at that point just how good the old material really was in comparison to what had been laid down on The Ultimate Sin."
NO REST FOR THE WICKED (1988)
When J.K. Lee departed (to form his own band, BADLANDS), Ozzy decided to lay low for a while. It was thus no surprise that Lee's replacement was the virtual unknown guitar singer Zack Wylde, who Ozzy linked with the enthusiasm that Rhodes had shown when they had worked together. Before the recording of No Rest for the Wicked, Daisley turned up again. But Ozzy's old Sabbath cohort, Geezer Butler, was taken on for the tour.
A live EP, Just Say Ozzy, was released through Epic in 1990, featuring two old Sabbath tracks, "War Pigs" and "Sweet Leaf," followed by the departure of Butler, who left to form his own band. Latest rumours suggest that he's rejoined Black Sabbath.
NO MORE TEARS (1991)
Ozzy's new album, No More Tears (originally it was going to be titled Don't Blame Me) has been at least a good three years in the making and features a talent of new bassist Michael Inez. Because of Ozzy's new highly intensive drug rehabilitation programmes (a result of being arrested for allegedly attempting to strangle wife and manager Sharon). the album's taken longer to appear than expected, but it's now on the streets and is getting some rave reviews.
The forthcoming world tour is rumoured to be his last. However, there's no doubt that we haven't seen the last of Ozzy yet. After all, heavy metal just wouldn't be the same without him, would it?
Mark Crampton
Riff Raff
October 1991
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