Early Life

John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne was born on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England, into a working-class family as the fourth of six children. He struggled with dyslexia throughout his school years and earned the nickname "Ozzy" from his peers. Facing academic challenges and difficulties at home, he left school at age 16 and worked a series of low-paying jobs, including a stint in a slaughterhouse. However, he soon became involved in petty crime, which led to a brief prison sentence for burglary. Despite these early challenges, Osbourne developed a profound love for music, which ultimately led him to pursue a career as a vocalist. (apnews.ca)

Black Sabbath

In 1968, after his release from prison, Osbourne formed a band with bassist Terence "Geezer" Butler, guitarist Tony Iommi, and drummer Bill Ward. Initially known as Polka Tulk Blues, the band later changed its name to Earth. While they gained some local attention, it wasn’t until they began experimenting with heavier, more amplified sounds that they attracted the attention of music producers. The band, needing a new name due to a conflict with another group using the name Earth, adopted Black Sabbath—inspired by the 1963 horror film of the same name. This marked the beginning of Osbourne’s rise to fame as the frontman of one of the most important and enduring acts in rock history. (apnews.ca)

Solo Career

After being fired from Black Sabbath in 1979, Osbourne fell into deep depression, believing his music career was over. However, he made a triumphant return with his solo debut album, Blizzard of Ozz, in 1980. Key to this comeback were Sharon Arden, who became his manager and later his wife, and guitarist Randy Rhoads, whose talent revitalized Osbourne’s music. Blizzard of Ozz showcased a new, dynamic heavy metal style and featured anthems like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley." Tragically, Rhoads died in a 1982 plane crash during a U.S. tour, an event Osbourne described as the greatest tragedy of his life. Despite the loss, Blizzard of Ozz and its follow-up, Diary of a Madman, remain enduring legacies of Rhoads’ brilliance and Osbourne’s resurgence. (musicradar.com)

Later Years and Farewell Performance

In 2022, Osbourne released his thirteenth studio album, Patient Number 9, which received favorable reviews and won Best Rock Album at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. (en.wikipedia.org) In 2025, Osbourne reunited with the original members of Black Sabbath—Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—for a final performance on July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, England. This event, called "The Back to the Beginning," marked the band's first performance together in 20 years and was promoted as the greatest heavy metal show ever. The all-day event featured other major metal bands such as Metallica, Slayer, and Alice In Chains. Osbourne, diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2020 and having paused touring in 2023 due to health issues, expressed his desire to return to his roots and give back to Birmingham. (apnews.com)

Personal Life

Osbourne married Sharon Arden in 1982. Sharon is credited with reviving her husband's heavy metal career by founding the summer Ozzfest tour, which was held almost annually between 1996 and 2018. In light of her success managing her husband, she branched out into managing other acts, such as Gary Moore, Motörhead, Lita Ford, and The Smashing Pumpkins, through her company Sharon Osbourne Management. (en.wikipedia.org)

Awards and Honors

Osbourne has received several awards for his contributions to the music community. In 1994, he was awarded a Grammy Award for the track "I Don't Want to Change the World" from Live & Loud for Best Metal Performance. In 2005, Osbourne was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame both as a solo artist and as a member of Black Sabbath. In 2006, he was inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Bill Ward, and Geezer Butler. In 2024, Osbourne was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his solo career. (en.wikipedia.org)

Reality Television

In the early 2000s, Osbourne became a reality television star when he appeared in the MTV reality show The Osbournes alongside his wife and manager Sharon and two of their children, Kelly and Jack. He co-stars with Jack and Kelly in the television series Ozzy & Jack's World Detour. (en.wikipedia.org)