Ozzy Osbourne has always been in a league of his own. From starting out with Black Sabbath before getting fired and moving on to an equally legendary solo career, the Prince of Darkness has left a lasting impression on the rock world…and he’s not finished yet! In celebration of the 40th anniversary of his first solo album, Blizzard of Ozz (September 20th,1980), here are just a few reasons why the Prince of Darkness is just so damn great.

 

 

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September 1, 1983 Bark at the Moon Photoshoot

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His showmanship was completely unique at the time. We all remember the time he bit a bat’s head off. All the memorable bits and bobs of his career, and lesser known details of his life, are in the new documentary called “Biography: The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne”. It recently dropped on labour day (September 7th) and opens a door into the life of the Prince of Darkness, one that we’ve never seen before. Ozzy has cheated death many times and in this documentary you see just how he has evolved into the foul-mouthed, pillar of rock and roll we know and love today. (Try not to let a crocodile tear escape when you watch it.)

 

 

Ozzy has said that he’ll never stop making music. He may have to stop doing big world tours after revealing the depths of his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s Disease, but he’s said so himself: “You know the time when I will retire? When I can hear them nail a lid on my box. And then I’ll f—ing do an encore. I’m the Prince Of Darkness. When you feel that audience jumping, it’s a better feeling than orgasm. It is the best love affair of my life. The party is on, man. I feel honoured people still want to see me.” Well, I’m sure wife/manager Sharon doesn’t mind this kind of affair then.

 

 

After releasing Ordinary Man earlier this year, his 12th studio album to date, Ozzy admitted that making this record was a big deal for him by saying, “If it’s not a big hit that’s fine, but this album is quite possibly one of the most important albums I’ve ever made because it saved my life.” Even when experiencing pain unlike he’s ever faced before, he still manages to power through it and pull himself together to keep the Prince of Darkness crazy train going.

 

 

Plus he is a giver by continuously selling all the remaining past Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath tour merch with proceeds going towards organizations like the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or St. Jude for Child Cancer research. Even doing auctions on clothing he’s worn for music cares. What a guy!

 

 

The best part about Ozzy is that he has not once given up. He has taken a life that started out a little rough and has transformed it into a legacy, even getting fired from Black Sabbath didn’t slow him down. What a savvy dog we are so fortunate to have kicking around. Rock on brother! (Don’t miss the 50th anniversary of Black Sabbath’s Paranoid reissue next month as well on October 9th!)