That Eric Alper

Ozzy Osbourne has died at 76. Here are 76 facts to celebrate the life, music, madness, and legacy of the one and only Prince of Darkness.

1. Ozzy was born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England.
2. He got the nickname “Ozzy” as a kid—and it stuck forever.
3. He had dyslexia and was bullied in school.
4. He attempted suicide as a teen and later spoke openly about mental health.
5. At 15, Ozzy left school and worked odd jobs including horn-tuner and slaughterhouse worker.
6. He spent six weeks in prison for robbing a clothing shop.
7. A Beatles fan for life, “She Loves You” inspired him to become a musician.
8. In 1968, he became the lead singer of Black Sabbath.
9. Black Sabbath helped invent heavy metal as we know it.
10. Their first album dropped in 1970, followed by Paranoid the same year.
11. Ozzy co-wrote “Black Sabbath” after Geezer Butler saw a dark figure at his bed.
12. He met Sharon Arden while she was working for her father, Don Arden.
13. He thought she was way out of his league.
14. Master of Reality hit top 10 in both the UK and US.
15. Rolling Stone once trashed it, then called it one of the 500 greatest albums ever.
16. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath got rave reviews and marked a new level of artistry.
17. Ozzy was fired from Sabbath in 1979 for being “too messed up”—even by Sabbath standards.
18. He formed a solo band with Randy Rhoads, launching Blizzard of Ozz in 1980.
19. It went quadruple platinum and changed everything again.
20. “Crazy Train” became one of the most iconic rock songs of all time.
21. Randy Rhoads tragically died in a plane crash in 1982.
22. Ozzy was devastated, but kept going.
23. In 1983, he released Bark at the Moon, filmed partly at a sanatorium.
24. The Ultimate Sin became his highest-charting album at the time.
25. He bit the head off a dove in 1981 at a record exec meeting.
26. He bit the head off a bat onstage in 1982 and had to get rabies shots.
27. He accidentally peed on the Alamo in a dress and got banned from San Antonio.
28. He recorded No More Tears in 1991, featuring “Mama, I’m Coming Home.”
29. He announced retirement in 1992… for the first time.
30. He won a Grammy in 1994 for “I Don’t Want to Change the World.”
31. Ozzmosis came out in 1995 and went double platinum.
32. He formed the Ozzfest tour with Sharon in 1996.
33. Ozzfest became a legendary metal institution.
34. He broke records in merch sales, hitting $50 million.
35. In 2002, The Osbournes reality show made him a household name.
36. He became MTV royalty—bleeped constantly and beloved by millions.
37. He duetted with daughter Kelly on “Changes” in 2003, his first UK #1.
38. He had a near-fatal quad bike crash in 2003.
39. In 2005, he launched the Prince of Darkness box set.
40. He covered the Beatles, Bowie, and the Rolling Stones.
41. He judged X-Factor UK in 2005.
42. He returned to Sabbath for 13 in 2013, a #1 hit.
43. He released Black Rain in 2007 with a more serious tone.
44. In 2010, Scream debuted with the single “Let Me Hear You Scream.”
45. He appeared in CSI, World of Warcraft ads, and even Guitar Hero.
46. He published his memoir I Am Ozzy in 2009.
47. A plush bat with detachable head was sold to mark the 1982 bat incident.
48. In 2020, he dropped Ordinary Man, featuring Elton John and Post Malone.
49. His 2022 album Patient Number 9 debuted to rave reviews.
50. He performed at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and NFL Kickoff.
51. He featured on Post Malone’s “Take What You Want”—a Top 10 Billboard hit.
52. Ozzy was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Sabbath in 2006.
53. He was inducted again as a solo artist in 2024.
54. He’s in the UK Music Hall of Fame—twice.
55. He’s on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Birmingham Walk of Stars.
56. He won the Ivor Novello Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.
57. He had Parkinson’s disease and performed seated at his final concert in 2025.
58. His last show was a benefit for three charities in Birmingham.
59. He fathered six children and had three with Sharon.
60. He had over 15 tattoos, including “OZZY” across his knuckles—done with a needle and pencil lead.
61. He loved Monty Python’s Life of Brian.
62. He was once invited to the White House and got a shoutout from President Bush.
63. He was featured in the video game Brütal Legend.
64. He did a duet with Lita Ford—“Close My Eyes Forever”—that hit #8 in the US.
65. He was once banned from San Antonio for a decade, but forgiven later.
66. He recorded Tribute to honour Randy Rhoads.
67. Zakk Wylde became his longest-running guitarist.
68. He survived decades of alcohol and drug use and lived to tell it all.
69. He revealed his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2020.
70. He helped make metal massive—without ever learning to read music.
71. He toured with Metallica, Slayer, and Marilyn Manson.
72. His final tour was called “No More Tours II.”
73. In 2021, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
74. He had a tram named after him in Birmingham.
75. He asked fans to donate to charity instead of celebrating his 65th birthday.
76. Ozzy died July 22, 2025, after a life louder than hell—and one hell of a legacy.

Rest in power, Ozzy. We’ll never stop screaming. 🖤