Facts About Ozzy Osbourne, Extreme Stage Actions - Alcohol Addiction and Parkinson's Suffering

Kapanlagi.com - Ozzy Osbourne passed away on Tuesday (22/7). He died at the age of 76, and his departure has left a wound in the hearts of his fans. Ozzy himself had been active since 1968 and created many memories in the minds of music lovers around the world. Here are a series of facts about Ozzy.

1. Suffering from Dyslexia

Ozzy Osbourne was born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Aston, Birmingham, England. He is the fourth of six siblings in a working-class family.

At a young age, Ozzy showed signs of dyslexia which made it difficult for him to learn and often led to bullying at school. Feeling out of place in the education system, Ozzy chose to drop out of school at the age of 15. He then took on various jobs, from being a plumber to working at a slaughterhouse, to help support his family's finances.

2. Prince of Darkness

Ozzy Osbourne (Credit: instagram.com/ozzyosbourne)

In 1968, Black Sabbath was formed and Ozzy was appointed as the vocalist. Their first album, Black Sabbath (1970), became a pioneer of heavy metal worldwide, followed by Paranoid which exploded with songs like Iron Man and War Pigs.

The popularity of Black Sabbath coincided with Ozzy becoming increasingly known as the Prince of Darkness. This nickname was widely attached to him in the early 1970s. The opening song titled Black Sabbath, with its dark atmosphere, created a strong horror impression in the eyes of the audience.

3. Extreme Stage Actions

Ozzy Osbourne (Credit: instagram.com/ozzyosbourne)

One reason the image of the Prince of Darkness is so attached is Ozzy's outlandish stage actions. In 1982, he bit the head off a live bat thrown on stage by a fan, thinking it was a toy.

A similar incident had occurred earlier when he bit a dove during a record label convention. This action indirectly reinforced his reputation as a "dark" and "dangerous" figure.

4. Influential Figure

Ozzy Osbourne (Credit: instagram.com/ozzyosbourne)

His debut solo album, Blizzard of Ozz (1980), became a huge success with hits like Crazy Train and Mr. Crowley. Together with guitarist Randy Rhoads, Ozzy created a distinctive and influential musical style.

In the early 2000s, he expanded his presence through the reality show The Osbournes, which introduced his persona to a new generation. The show featured his life with Sharon and their children: Aimee, Kelly, and Jack.

5. Addiction to Alcohol and Drugs

Behind the scenes, Ozzy is also known to have struggled with addiction to alcohol and drugs for nearly half a century. He admitted to first trying cocaine in 1971 and used to consume LSD every day for two years with Black Sabbath.

This habit took a toll on his mental and physical health. Several tours had to be canceled due to health issues and unstable moods, which created tension with bandmates that ultimately led to conflicts on the road.

6. Had an Affair

Ozzy Osbourne (Credit: instagram.com/ozzyosbourne)

Ozzy's personal life was also marred by a cheating scandal. From 2012 to 2016, he was involved in an illicit relationship with hairstylist Michelle Pugh, until news of the affair broke to the public in May 2016. His wife, Sharon Osbourne, suffered from severe depression and nearly overdosed before ultimately choosing to forgive and stay for the sake of their family.

It is known that Sharon first met Ozzy in 1970 when she worked at her father's record label, Don Arden. However, their relationship only developed in 1979, after Ozzy divorced Thelma Riley and faced a declining solo career.

Sharon helped Ozzy rise again from the depths of being fired from Black Sabbath and severe drug addiction. She was not only a lover but also became the manager and savior of the rock legend's career.

They married on July 4, 1982, in Hawaii, just a few months after Ozzy's divorce was finalized. From this marriage, three children were born: Aimee, Kelly, and Jack Osbourne.

7. Undergo Surgery

In 2019, Ozzy Osbourne fell at home during the night. The fall aggravated a long-standing injury from an ATV accident, requiring him to undergo major surgery on his neck.

“When they operated on my neck, all the nerves were cut, and that damaged everything,” he told Rolling Stone. He even experienced a loss of body stability and felt that his right arm was always cold. After the accident, he faced a series of complications, including a respiratory infection that forced him to cancel several important tours.

8. Diagnosed with Parkinson's

Ozzy Osbourne (Credit: Associated Press)

In early 2020, Ozzy announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's since 2003. Although he had been living with the condition for quite some time, he only publicly shared it recently.

“It's not a death sentence,” he said in an interview with Robin Roberts. However, he admitted that it was difficult to accept the reality that he could no longer contribute as he once did in his family life and career.

9. The Last Moments

In the last five years of his life, Ozzy underwent seven surgeries, primarily on his spine. However, in September 2023, he decided to stop.

“I can't take it anymore. My legs feel like they're being pulled by a stone when I walk,” he said.

Despite this, he rejects the notion that he has given up. Ozzy tries various methods to maintain his bodily functions. One of them is practicing Tai Chi, which he believes helps keep his balance.

(kpl/tdr)