The heavy metal icon recently announced his retirement from touring. It’s not the first such announcement he’s made but given his age and worsening health issues it looks as though he really does mean it this time. To mark the occasion, here’s a look back at his solo career via our music collection.
Blizzard of Ozz [bonus track] / Osbourne, Ozzy
After being booted from Black Sabbath in 1979, a despondent Osbourne assumed his career was over. Waiting in the wings, however, was Sabbath manager Don Arden, who signed him to a solo deal and dispatched his daughter Sharon (the future Mrs. Osbourne) to supervise the process. Featuring the guitar of the late, great Randy Rhoads and a batch of great songs co-written with Rhoads and bassist Bob Daisley (‘Crazy Train”, “Suicide Solution”, “Mr. Crowley” and “Goodbye to Romance” to name just four), Blizzard of Ozz is a bona fide metal classic.
Diary of a madman ; Ozzy live / Osbourne, Ozzy
“Retaining the same line-up from Blizzard, Osbourne avoided the sophomore slump. This delivers another clutch of rocking tunes, including the epic, classically tinged title track and perennial live favourites “Believer” and “Flying High Again”. The edition held in Wellington Libraries includes a bonus live disc, illustrating what a great live band Ozzy and Co. were at this time.
Bark at the moon / Osbourne, Ozzy
Tragedy struck for both Osbourne and lovers of metal in 1982 when Randy Rhoads was killed in a plane crash, aged only 25. After a brief period where Brad Gillis (formerly of Night Ranger) filled in Osbourne regrouped with new guitarist and co-writer Jake E. Lee for the more pop-orientated Bark at the Moon. The title track is one of Ozzy’s most iconic songs (and videos), while “So Tired” and “You’re No Different” demonstrate his underrated knack for ballads.
The ultimate sin / Osbourne, Ozzy
Fresh off one of his many stints in rehab and retaining Jake E. Lee, Osbourne eschewed the keyboards and pop sensibility of Bark at the Moon in favour of a straight-ahead metal sound. He was unhappy with the production and in later years would all but disown The Ultimate Sin. Whatever one might think of the production, the song writing demonstrated a new lyrical maturity, and the album would become his highest charting effort of the 1980s and spawn a bona fide hit single, “Shot in the Dark”.
Ozzmosis / Osbourne, Ozzy
Fittingly, given his reputation for indestructability, Osbourne was one of the few major metal acts of the 80s to thrive during the alternative rock and hip-hop dominated 90s. In part this was due to the Ozzfest festival launched in 1996 after the organizers of Lollapalooza rebuffed an effort to get Ozzy on the bill. Prior to that came 1995’s Ozzmosis, which featured long-time guitarist Zakk Wylde as well as former Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler and legendary prog-rock keyboardist Rick Wakeman. Ozzmosis is a slick, radio-friendly affair which nonetheless finds Ozzy in fine form with highlights being the bone-crunching opener “Perry Mason” and nostalgic ballad “Old LA Tonight.”
Ordinary man / Osbourne, Ozzy
The new millennium would bring Osbourne both reality TV stardom via MTV’s The Osbournes (2002-05) and a reunion with Black Sabbath in 2011 for a farewell album (13) and tour. Surprisingly there was also, after a couple of forgettable efforts, a genuine comeback on record with Ordinary Man. With a band that includes Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and Guns ‘N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagen, Osbourne invokes the classic Black Sabbath sound while looking back in a reflective mood lyrically, particularly on the title duet with Elton John.
Patient number 9 / Osbourne, Ozzy
The late career renaissance continues with this latest effort, featuring not only Zakk Wylde, but also guest guitarists Eric Clapton, Tony Iommi and the late Jeff Beck (a particular highlight on power ballad “A Thousand Shades”). Osbourne leans all in on his larger-than-life public image and is clearly having tremendous fun on a set of hook-filled metal anthems.
The essential Ozzy Osbourne / Osbourne, Ozzy
One of the advantages for a recording artist of being part of the Sony corporation is that you get a handy “Essential” compilation! Covering the period from Blizzard of Ozz to 2001’s Down to Earth, this two-cd set does the job nicely for those casual fans who just want the hits.