Movies

10 Ozzy Osbourne moments music fans will never forget

BBG News

In just a few weeks following his last performance, Ozzy Osbourne, aged 76, passed away after a prolonged struggle with Parkinson’s disease. His farewell concert was graced by Black Sabbath, his namesake band, for the final time, along with several rock legends who came together to honor one of heavy metal’s most impactful icons.

The passing of Osbourne left the music community reeling, as fans and peers alike expressed their condolences to the iconic figure often referred to as the Prince of Darkness. Despite battling health issues in his later years, he was renowned for his electrifying stage persona and unique identity that remained undeniable until the end.

In the pulsating ’70s, I found myself skyrocketing to stardom as the frontman for the legendary band, Black Sabbath. Together with the giants of Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, we carved out a significant niche in music history, giving birth to the heavy metal genre. Our unique blend of intricate melodies, mesmerizing darkness, and subtly sinister imagery has left an indelible mark on the world of rock.

In 1979, Osbourne was dismissed from the band, which then paved the way for his thriving solo journey. He put out several chart-topping albums such as “Blizzard of Oz” (1980), “Diary of a Madman” (1981), “Bark at the Moon” (1983), and “No More Tears” (1991). These releases solidified his status as a familiar face, a rock icon, and a figure often surrounded by controversy.

Over the course of his professional life, Osbourne built a reputation as an eccentric, unpredictable, yet incredibly gifted rock ‘n’ roll legend. Here are some key instances from the “Crazy Train” singer’s impressive career that, after his demise, music enthusiasts will forever recall and treasure.

Biting the head off a bat onstage

Though you may not be versed in all aspects of Ozzy Osbourne’s music, chances are you recognize him as “the man who famously bit into a bat during a concert.” While tales like Robert Johnson striking a deal with the devil or Marilyn Manson undergoing rib surgery remain mythical, the bat-biting incident is indeed a factual piece of rock ‘n’ roll history.

On January 20, 1982, during a concert in Des Moines, Iowa, someone from the audience tossed a bat onto the stage. In the heat of his performance, Ozzy Osbourne picked up the bat, thinking it was a rubber toy, and took a bite out of its head. However, he soon discovered that it was not a toy at all.

For several years, there’s been discussion about whether the bat thrown onstage by Mark Neal, who was 17 at the time, was still alive. Mark claims he brought the bat to the show already dead. On the other hand, Ozzy Osbourne states that the bat was indeed alive, so lively that it bit Ozzy, necessitating a rabies shot straight after the incident.

The event is now strongly associated with Ozborne, to such an extent that a soft bat toy, featuring a removable head, was made available for purchase on his official website in 2019 as a tribute to the occasion. The initial stock sold out swiftly.

Biting the head off a dove in front of CBS

It’s clear that Osbourne hadn’t decapitated the bat for the first time. A year prior, during a gathering with CBS Records executives, he had actually beheaded a dove. The singer was said to be quite intoxicated at the moment. Instead of releasing the dove as a symbol of peace, he ended up biting off its head instead.

During his departure from the premises, it’s said that Osbourne seized another dove and brutally bit off its head. This event, along with his previous encounter with the unfortunate bat, has solidified Osbourne’s reputation as a heavy metal icon, but also as the singer known for decapitating winged creatures.

The Alamo

Just like no one followed ‘remember the Alamo’ more faithfully than Osbourne (or at least his followers),” it’s hard to find someone who has created an entire musical genre and had themselves banned from San Antonio, Texas – a city famous for the Alamo.

On February 18, 1982, Osbourne playfully modeled Sharon’s wedding gown for a photo session at the Alamo while slightly intoxicated. In his inebriated state, he accidentally relieved himself on the Alamo Cenotaph monument, a tribute erected in 1939 to honor those who fell during the Battle of the Alamo, which is situated just across the street from the Alamo.

It seems that Ozzy Osbourne had been drinking all day long, culminating in him even dismissing his entire band (though he later claimed to have no memory of this action). After relieving himself at the Alamo, Osbourne was apprehended and prohibited from performing in San Antonio. This ban was lifted in 1992, following Ozzy’s public apology for the incident and his donation of $10,000 to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.

The Osbournes (2002-2005)

It’s challenging to single out a standout moment from the reality TV series “The Osbournes“, which chronicled the daily life of the Osbourne family, including Ozzy, his spouse, and their kids Kelly and Jack. The show offered a mix of heartwarming family moments and countless amusing and bizarre incidents that the Osbournes experienced.

As a die-hard Ozzy fan, I can’t help but cherish every moment from The Osbournes. Be it Ozzy searching for his lost beer, figuring out how to manipulate the TV remote, or having profound chats with Sharon and their kids about navigating substance abuse and growing up – these scenes are etched in my memory forever. It’s moments like these that make The Osbournes an unforgettable experience for Ozzy fans like me.

Snorting a line of ants with Mötley Crüe

Just like the Prince of Darkness, the members of Mötley Crüe had a reputation for misbehavior offstage, leaving behind a trail of debauchery unique to them. In 1984, their paths crossed when Ozzy Osbourne and the band were both touring together.

Reportedly, during a heated competition among Osbourne and the band members about who could be the most disgusting, Osbourne is said to have attempted to outdo everyone by doing something shocking: inhaling a pile of ants. This event has become a notorious tale in rock music lore, with many questioning its authenticity.

The event was also portrayed in Mötley Crüe’s 2019 biopic, “The Dirt.” Whether Osbourne truly ingested ants is still a topic of discussion, but regardless, if it did happen, it wouldn’t be the most outrageous thing he has ever done.

His role as an anti-rock priest in Trick Or Treat (1986)

Over time, Osbourne has graced both film and television, yet one role that stands out as particularly memorable is his short-lived portrayal of a Catholic priest in the cult classic movie “Trick or Treat” (1986). Notably, this film also features a cameo from KISS’ Gene Simmons. The plot revolves around a metal-loving high school student who is tormented by the vengeful ghost of his favorite rockstar, Sammi Curr, who rises from the dead with malicious intents.

In a particular scene, Osbourne portrays Reverend Aaron Gilstrom, a character who criticizes rock musicians and their suggestive lyrics on a talk show. Given that such an opinion would not endear him to rock music enthusiasts, it’s quite clever to cast one of the genre’s most contentious figures in the role of someone so vehemently opposed to the very genre he once belonged to.

The time he met Paul McCartney

It’s astonishing to imagine that even the stars can become star-struck – it’s especially surprising when it comes to Ozzy Osbourne. Known for his outspokenness, it seems unbelievable that he might be speechless. This iconic singer has openly acknowledged multiple times that The Beatles had a profound impact on him, transforming his life forever. Hearing their music is what inspired him to chase a career in music.

Initially famous for his erratic actions, both on and off stage, it appears that as soon as Ozzy Osbourne encountered Paul McCartney for the first time, he transformed into a passionate young fan from Birmingham. Encountering the artist who significantly influenced his career, there’s no doubt that Ozzy felt privileged to meet one of his idols, expressing his gratitude by stating “[The Beatles] inspired me to pursue music.

Heavy Metal music as we know it might not have existed if it weren’t for Black Sabbath; however, we may never have had Ozzy Osbourne without The Beatles.

When he had no idea who Justin Bieber was

Swift with his responses, Ozzy never hesitated to voice his opinions about modern-day pop stars in the 21st century. This quick exchange, though fleeting, has turned into a humorous memory cherished by Ozzy’s followers.

During an appearance on a chat program, Osbourne was questioned about whether he pays attention to any fresh musicians. The host playfully inquired if he listened to Justin Bieber, prompting Osbourne’s swift retort, “Who in the world is Justin Bieber?

Eventually, Osbourne got to know Bieber during their collaboration on a Super Bowl commercial in 2011, which also brought to mind the well-known talk show event they were involved in.

Black Sabbath (1970)

The first album that marked their beginning was by Black Sabbath. After undergoing a few transformations in the late 1960s, the band eventually solidified with Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, Tony Iommi on guitar, Geezer Butler on bass, and Bill Ward on drums. Each member excelled in their respective fields, and when they combined their talents, they created their debut self-titled album as Black Sabbath. This release significantly altered the metal music scene as we had previously known it.

1970 saw the debut of Black Sabbath, an album that established itself as the inaugural legitimate heavy metal release and whose title track was hailed by Rolling Stone as the finest heavy metal song ever composed. It may seem astonishing, but this groundbreaking record initially received unfavorable reviews upon its launch. Yet, with the passage of time, it has come to be regarded as a masterpiece instead.

Prior to the arrival of Black Sabbath, no such chilling, mystical darkness tinged with the supernatural had graced popular music. By blending ominous compositions with a striking, heavy sound, Black Sabbath’s debut album established the blueprint for what would later evolve into metal music, drastically redefining rock music’s enduring and captivating sonic character.

Back to the Beginning

Among fans, one of Ozzy Osbourne’s most impactful moments was his recently sold-out farewell show. This grand finale, known as “Back to the Beginning,” took place on July 5, 2025, in Birmingham, U.K. The event was more than just Black Sabbath’s last joint performance; it marked Ozzy Osbourne’s final stage appearance ever.

The charity concert turned out to be one of the most successful in history, amassing a record-breaking $190 million for Acorns Children’s Hospice, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Cure Parkinson’s. A variety of artists graced the stage to honor Osbourne and Black Sabbath, with Metallica, Anthrax, Halestorm, Mastodon, Tom Morello, Alice In Chains, and numerous others joining in the tribute.

Because Parkinson’s disease continued to challenge him, Osbourne performed his entire show seated on a grand throne, yet this didn’t hinder him from delivering an electrifying performance that stood out among all others in his career. The concert was filled with memorable instances, and as he played “Mama I’m Coming Home,” it was evident that the feelings were deeply poignant for Osbourne.

Throughout his illustrious career, Osbourne has accomplished feats that few others have dared, and fewer still can claim. Although the singer’s antics outside of music were often unpredictable, he demonstrated great integrity by dedicating his last chapter to raising millions for children’s hospitals and Parkinson’s research, a fitting farewell to an exceptional life.

Apart from being famed for his contentious career that often stirs controversy, Ozbourne is highly esteemed for his unique and indispensable musical legacy in the realm of rock ‘n’ roll. It’s hard to imagine where the genre would stand without his significant influence, as he has played a crucial role in shaping it into what we know today.

Over the past nearly six decades, Ozzy Osbourne has left an indelible mark on the world through his music, his fervent affection for his fans, and his enthusiasm for live performances, a career highlight being his ability to drive the entire world into a frenzy. Yet, it’s also worth noting that the world has relished every moment of this madness.

Read More

2025-07-23 15:01

Previous post Popular crime drama that stormed Netflix charts shares exciting spin-off plans
Next post Should you pull for Firefly, Blade or Jingliu in Honkai: Star Rail Version 3.4 Phase 2 banner