Continued from Part 1 (Prior Post)
Down to Earth, Osbourne’s 1st album of new studio material in six years, was released in October 2001 as a live album, Live at Budokan…..which was followed in 2002 by Down to Earth…..while achieving a platinum status in 2003…..and featuring2 the single “Dreamer“, a song which peaked at # 10 on Billboard‘s Mainstream Rock Tracks. In June 2002, Osbourne was invited to participate in the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, performing the Black Sabbath anthem “Paranoid” at the Party at the Palace concert in the grounds of Buckingham Palace. In 2003, Osbourne recruited former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted, though his time with Osbourne would be short. Osbourne’s former bassist Robert Trujillo replaced Newsted in Metallica during this same period. On December 8, 2003, Osbourne was rushed into emergency surgery at Slough‘s Wexham Park Hospital following an accident with his quad bike on his estate in Jordans, Buckinghamshire. Osbourne broke his collar bone, eight ribs, and a neck vertebra. An operation was performed to lift the collarbone, which was believed to be resting on a major artery and interrupting blood flow to the arm. Sharon later revealed that Osbourne had stopped breathing following the crash and was resuscitated by Osbourne’s then personal bodyguard, Sam Ruston. While in hospital, Osbourne achieved his first ever UK #1 single, a duet of the Black Sabbath ballad, “Changes” with daughter Kelly. In doing so, he broke the record of the longest period between an artist’s first UK chart appearance (with Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid“, #4 in August 1970 and their first number one hit: a gap of 33 years. He recovered from the quad accident and went on to headline the 2004 Ozzfest, in the reunited Black Sabbath.
Music – Heavy Metal – Ozzy and Kelly Osbourne Duet of Black Sabbath Song “Changes” (2003)
Music – Heavy Metal – Black Sabbath & Ozzy Osbourne – 2005 OzzFest – War Pigs
In March 2005, Osbourne released a box set called Prince of Darkness. The 1st and 2nd discs are collections of live performances, B-sides, demos and singles. The 3rd disc contained duets and other odd tracks with other artists, including “Born to Be Wild” with Miss Piggy. The 4th disc, is entirely new material where Osbourne covers his favorite songs by his biggest influences and favorite bands, including the Beatles, John Lennon, David Bowie and others. In November 2005, Osbourne released the covers album Under Cover, featuring 10 songs from the 4th disc of Prince of Darkness and 3 more songs. Osbourne’s band for this album included Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell, bassist Chris Wyse and Faith No More drummer Mike Bordin.
Music – Heavy Metal – Ozzy Osbourne & Miss Piggy Duet (2005) – Born To Be Wild
Music – Heavy Metal – Ozzy Osbourne Prince of Darkness Box Set Official Music Video – One of Those Days
Osbourne also helped judge the 2005 UK series of the X-Factor where his wife Sharon was one of the main judges. In March 2006, he said that he hoped to release a new studio album soon with longtime on-off guitarist, Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society. In October 2006, it was announced that Tony Iommi, Ronnie James Dio, Bill Ward, and Geezer Butler would be touring together again, though not as Black Sabbath but under the moniker “Heaven & Hell“, the title of Dio’s 1st Black Sabbath album. Osbourne’s next album, titled Black Rain, was released on May 22, 2007…..which was his 1st new studio album in almost six years…..which featured a more serious tone than previous albums. “I thought I’d never write again without any stimulation…..but you know what? Instead of picking up the bottle I just got honest and said, ‘I don’t want life to go [to pieces]'”, Osbourne stated to Billboard magazine that he was currently seeking a new guitar player. While he stated that he had not fallen out with Zakk Wylde, he said he felt his songs were beginning to sound like Black Label Society and fancied a change. In August 2009, Osbourne performed at the gaming festival BlizzCon with a new guitarist in his line-up, Gus G. Osbourne also provided his voice and likeness to the video game Brütal Legend character The Guardian of Metal. In November, Slash featured Osbourne on vocals in his single “Crucify the Dead”, and Osbourne with wife Sharon were guest hosts on WWE Raw. In December, Osbourne announced he would be releasing a new album titled Soul Sucka with Gus G, Tommy Clufetos on drums, and Blasko on bass. Negative fan feedback was brought to Osbourne’s attention regarding the album title. In respect of fan opinion, on March 29th Osbourne announced his album would be renamed Scream. On April 13, 2010, Osbourne announced the release date for Scream would be 15 June 2010. The release date was later changed to a week later. A single from the album, “Let Me Hear You Scream”, debuted on April 14, 2010 episode of CSI: NY. On August 9, 2010, Osbourne announced that the 2nd single from the album would be “Life Won’t Wait” and the video for the song would be directed by his son Jack. When asked of his opinions on Scream in an interview, Osbourne announced that he was “already thinking about the next album”. Osbourne’s current drummer, Tommy Clufetos, has reflected this sentiment, saying that “We are already coming up with new ideas backstage, in the hotel rooms and at soundcheck and have a bunch of ideas recorded”. In October 2014, Osbourne released Memoirs of a Madman, a collection celebrating his entire solo career. A CD version contained 17 singles from across his career, never before compiled together. The DVD version contained music videos, live performances, and interviews.
Music – Heavy Metal – Ozzy Osbourne – From the Album Down To Earth (2001) – “Gets Me Through”
Music – Heavy Metal – Ozzy Osbourne Live at Budokan (2002) – Entire Live Concert
Music – Heavy Metal – Ozzy Osbourne from the Album Down to Earth – “Dreamers” (2003)
Music – Heavy Metal – SLASH with Ozzy Osbourne – Music Video – “Crucify The Dead”
In August 2015, Epic Records president Sylvia Rhone confirmed with Billboard that Osbourne was working on another studio album; in September 2019, Osbourne announced he had finished the album in four weeks following his collaboration with Post Malone. In April 2017, it was announced that guitarist Zakk Wylde would reunite with Osbourne for a summer tour to mark the 30th anniversary of their first collaboration on 1988’s No Rest for the Wicked. The first show of the tour took place on July 14th at the Rock USA Festival in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Musicm – Heavy Metal – Ozzy Osbourne – Live at Rock USA Festival in Oshkosh, WI (1989) – “Shot in the Dark”
On November 6, 2017, Osbourne was announced as the headline act for the Sunday of the 2018 Download Festival held annually at Donington Park in Leicestershire, England. Having previously graced the main stage in previous years fronting Black Sabbath, this would be his 1st-ever Download headline solo appearance. The Download Festival set came as part of Osbourne’s final world tour announcement that morning. On 6 February 2018, Osbourne announced that he would embark on his final world tour dubbed No More Tours II, a reference to his 1992 tour of the same name, with support from Stone Sour on the North American portion of the tour. He later insisted that he would not retire, “It’s ‘No More Tours’, so I’m just not doing world tours anymore. I’m still going to be doing gigs, but I’m not going on tour for six months at a time anymore. I’d like to spend some time at home.”
Music – Heavy Metal – Ozzy Osbourne Live at the Download Festival (2018) – “Bark at the Moon”
On 6 September 2019, Osbourne featured on the song “Take What You Want” by Post Malone. The song peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 charts at # 8, making it Osbourne’s 1st US Top 10 single in 30 years since he was featured on Lita Ford’s “Close My Eyes Forever”.
Music – Heavy Metal – Ozzy Osbourne with Post Malone – Live Video (2019) – “Take What You Want”
Music – Heavy Metal – Lita Ford & Ozzy Osbourne Duet – Music Video (2019) – “Close Your Eyes Forever”
On February 8, 2020, Osbourne released his 1st solo album in almost ten years, Ordinary Man, which received positive reviews from music critics and debuted at # 3 on the UK Albums Chart. A few days after the release, Osbourne told iHeartRadio that he wanted to make another album with Andrew Watt, the main producer of Ordinary Man. One week after the release of the album, an 8-bit video game dedicated to Osbourne was released, called Legend of Ozzy. Following the release Osbourne then started working on his follow up album, once again with Andrew Watt. In November 2021, Sony announced that Osbourne’s album would be released within six months; it was also announced that Zakk Wylde will have full involvement in the album following his absence on Ordinary Man.
Music – Heavy Metal – Ozzy Osbourne – Official Music Video (2020) – “Ordinary Man” – ft. Elton John
In June 2022, Osbourne announced his 13th album would be titled Patient Number 9 and released the title track along with an accompanying music video that same day. The album was released on September 9, 2022. Osbourne then had his 1st live performances in three years with two brief concerts at sporting events: on August 13, he performed “Iron Man” and “Paranoid” at the 2022 Commonwealth Games closing ceremony in Birmingham, joined by Iommi and former touring members of Black Sabbath Tommy Clufetos and Adam Wakeman; and on September 8th at the 2022 NFL Kickoff held at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium, Osbourne performed both “Patient Number 9” and “Crazy Train”, with his backing band being Zakk Wylde, Tommy Clufetos, Chris Chaney and the album’s producer Andrew Watt.
Music – Heavy Metal – Ozzy Osbourne – Official Music Video (2022) – “Paient Number 9” – ft. Jeff Beck
Music – Heavy Metal – Ozzy Osbourne & Tony Iommi – Live at the Commonwealth Games (2022) – “Iron Man” & “Paranoid”
Music – Heavy Metal – Ozzy Osbourne & Tony Iommi Live at NFL Rams SoFi Stadium (2022) – “Patient Number 9″ & “Crazy Train”
In January 2023, Osbourne announced that the European leg of the No More Tours II would be cancelled after almost two years of being postponed. Osbourne effectively retired from touring…..while citing his accident in 2019 which resulted in the singer suffering spinal damage…..after which he affirmed his plan to continue smaller-scale live performances as his health permitted. In September 2023, he revealed that he was working on a new album with a planned 2024 release while also preparing to go on the road following a successful spinal surgery earlier that month. In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked Osbourne at # 112 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time. Osbourne’s biggest financial success of the 1990’s was a venture named Ozzfest…..which was created and managed by his wife and manager Sharon and assisted by his son Jack, after Ozzy was turned down by the organizers of the Lollapalooza festival. The 1st Ozzfest was held in York, Pennsylvania, on September 20, 1996. Ozzfest was an instant hit with metal fans, helping many up-and-coming groups who were featured there to broad exposure and commercial success. Some acts shared the bill with a reformed Black Sabbath during the 1997 Ozzfest tour, with the 1st two shows in Bristow, Virginia and West Palm Beach, Florida. From its inception to 2005, more than four million people attended Ozzfest…..and it grossed over $170 million USD over the same period. The festival helped promote many new hard rock and heavy metal acts of the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. Ozzfest helped Osbourne to become the 1st hard rock and heavy metal star to hit $50 million in merchandise sales. In 2005, Osbourne and his wife Sharon starred in an MTV competition reality show entitled Battle for Ozzfest. A number of yet unsigned bands send one member to compete in a challenge to win a spot on the 2005 Ozzfest and a possible recording contract. During Ozzfest 2005, after having missed several shows due to ill health, Osbourne announced that he was retiring from the event. He did in fact return to Ozzfest in 2006…..but with a reduced schedule, leaving many of the concerts to be closed by System of a Down instead of himself. Tickets for the 2007 tour were offered to fans free of charge…..which led to some controversy. In 2008, Ozzfest was reduced to a one-day event in Dallas, where Osbourne played, along with Metallica and King Diamond. In 2010, the tour opened with a Jersey Shore spoof skit starring Osbourne. Osbourne appeared as the headliner closing the show after opening acts Halford and Mötley Crüe. The tour, though small (only six US venues and one UK venue were played), generated rave reviews.
Music – Heavy Metal – Ozzy Osbourne – Special Documentary – MTV’s “Ozzfest Uncensored” (2002)
Music – Interview – Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne – Live on Howard Stern – Proof of Sharon Arranging the Egg Throwing Dispute at Ozzfest 2005
Music – Heavy Metal – Ozzy Osbourne and Family Special – “Ozzfest Stories and Heavy Metal Glory”
Osbourne achieved greater celebrity status via his own brand of reality television. The Osbournes, a series featuring the domestic life of Osbourne and his family (wife Sharon, children Jack and Kelly, occasional appearances from his son Louis, but eldest daughter Aimee did not participate). The program became one of MTV’s greatest hits. It premiered on March 5, 2002, and the final episode aired on March 21, 2005. The success of The Osbournesled Osbourne and the rest of his family to host the 30th Annual American Music Awards in January 2003. The night was marked with constant “bleeping” due to some of the lewd and raunchy remarks made by Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne. Presenter Patricia Heaton walked out midway in disgust. On 20 February 2008, Ozzy, Sharon, Kelly and Jack Osbourne hosted the 2008 BRIT Awards held at Earls Court, London. Ozzy appeared in a TV commercial for I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! which began airing in the UK in February 2006.
Music – MTV Reality TV – The Osbournes – Introduction to The Osbournes – Live on MTV
Music – MTV Reality TV – The Osbournes TV (Season 1 Episode 1) – “A House Divided” – Full Episode
Music – MTV Reality TV – The Osbournes TV (Season 1 Episode 8) – “No Vagrancy” – Full Episode
Osbourne appears in a commercial for the online video game World of Warcraft. He was also featured in the music video game Guitar Hero World Tour as a playable character. He becomes unlocked upon completing “Mr. Crowley” and “Crazy Train“ in the vocalist career. The 2002 dark fantasy combat flight simulator Savage Skies was initially developed under the title Ozzy’s Black Skies and was to feature his likeness as well as songs from both his stint in Black Sabbath as well as his solo career, but licensing issues forced developer iRock Interactive to re-tool the game and release it without the Osbourne branding.
Music – Heavy Metal – Ozzy Osbourne with Randy Rhoads – Live on TV (1981) – “Mr. Crowley”
In October 2009, Osbourne published I Am Ozzy, his autobiography. He said ghost writer Chris Ayres told him he had enough material for a second book. A film adaptation of I Am Ozzy is also in the works and Osbourne said he hoped “an unknown guy from England” will get the role over an established actor, while Sharon stated she would choose established English actress Carey Mulligan to play her. A documentary film about Osbourne’s life and career, entitled God Bless Ozzy Osbourne, premiered in April 2011 at the Tribeca Film Festival and was released on DVD in November 2011.[188] The film was produced by Osbourne’s son Jack. On 15 May 2013 Osbourne, along with the current members of Black Sabbath, appeared in an episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation titled “Skin in the Game”. The History Channel premiered a comedy reality television series starring Ozzy Osbourne and his son Jack Osbourne on 24 July 2016, named Ozzy & Jack’s World Detour. During each episode Ozzy and Jack visit one or more sites to learn about history from experts, and explore unusual or quirky aspects of their background.
Music – Heavy Metal Documentary “God Bless Ozzy Osbourne” – Interview Documentary Extras – Ozzy Osbourne & Son Jack Behind the Scenes (2011)
Osbourne appeared in a November 2017 episode of Gogglebox along with other UK celebrities such as Ed Sheeran, former Oasis front man Liam Gallagher, and Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn as part of Channel 4 and Cancer Research UK’s Stand Up to Cancer fundraising campaign. In November 2017, Osbourne signed on as an ambassador of the rock-themed online Metal Casino, founded by metal music fans in August 2017. In February 2019, Osbourne’s merchandising partner announced that Ozzy would have his own branded, online slots game as part of the NetEnt Rocks music-themed portfolio. In 2020, Osbourne voiced King Thrash, king of the rock trolls, for the animated movie Trolls World Tour.
Music – Heavy Metal – Black Sabbath with Ozzy Osbourne – Official Music Video (2013) – “End of the Beginning”
In 2002, Osbourne and wife Sharon were invited to the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner by Fox News Channel correspondent Greta Van Susteren for that year’s event. President George W. Bush noted Osbourne’s presence by joking, “The thing about Ozzy is, he’s made a lot of big hit recordings – ‘Party with the Animals’, ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath‘, ‘Facing Hell’, ‘Black Skies’ and ‘Bloodbath in Paradise’. Ozzy, Mom loves your stuff.”
Music – News – Heavy Metal – George W. Bush mentions Ozzy Osbourne in 2002 White House Correspondents Dinner Speech
Osbourne had six children with three from his 1st marriage and three from his marriage to Sharon Osbourne. In 1971, Osbourne met his 1st wife Thelma Riley at the Rum Runner, the Birmingham nightclub where she worked. They were married later that year and children Jessica and Louis were soon born. Osbourne also adopted Riley’s five-year-old son Elliot from a previous relationship. Osbourne later referred to his 1st marriage as “a terrible mistake”. His use of alcohol and other drugs, coupled with his frequent absences while touring with Black Sabbath, took their toll on his family life…..as his children later complained that he was not a good father. In the 2011 documentary film God Bless Ozzy Osbourne, produced by his son Jack, Osbourne admitted that he could not even remember when Louis and Jessica were born. Osbourne began to date his manager Sharon Arden and guitarist Randy Rhoads predicted in 1981 that the couple would “probably get married someday” despite their constant bickering and the fact that Osbourne was still married to Thelma at the time. Ozzy and Sharon married on July 4, 1982. He later confessed that the Independence Day date was chosen so that he would never forget his anniversary. The couple had three children together: Aimee, Kelly and Jack…..then after Jack’s birth, Osbourne had a vasectomy.
Music – Heavy Metal Special – Ozzy Osbourne’s Legacy – “Who Are Ozzy’s Six Kids?”
Music – Heavy Metal – Ozzy Osbourne’s Ex Wife(Thelma Riley) Silent Tribute “I never Stopped Loving Him and Praying For Him”
Music – Heavy Metal – Documentary – “The Story of Ozzy & Sharon Osbourne”
Music – Heavy Metal Special – CBS Dan Rather Interviews Sharon Osbourne – “When Sharon Met Ozzy”
Osbourne wrote a song for his daughter Aimee…..which appeared as a B-side on his 7th studio album Ozzmosis (1995)…..when at the end of the song, she can be heard saying “I’ll always be your angel”…..while referring to the song’s chorus lyrics. The song “My Little Man”…..which also appears on Ozzmosis, was written about his son Jack. He and his family divided time between homes in Buckinghamshire and Los Angeles.
Music – Heavy Metal – Ozzy Osbourne – From the Album Ozzmosis (1995) – “My Little Man”
PLEASE NOTE…..Part 2 is completed for Ozzy Osbourne: The Prince of Darkness Forged A Lifetime Of Legendary Heavy Metal With Black Sabbath By His Side – Part 2
SEE PART 3 on the following post!
