In 2008, Slash introduced Ozzy Osbourne with the Dwelling Legend award on the Traditional Rock Roll Of Honour at London’s Park Lane Resort. After the star-studded occasion – attendees included Jeff Beck, Ronnie Wooden, David Coverdale, Jack Bruce, Gary Moore, Peter Inexperienced and Wayne Kramer – Ozzy sat down with Traditional Rock to mirror on his journey.
How was this night for you?
It’s been actually good. I flew in from Los Angeles yesterday and I’m going again tomorrow. So it’s been a little bit of a whirlwind. I’ve been sitting with Sharon at our desk and other people dropped by to say good day. I don’t drink anymore, so a minimum of I’ll fucking keep in mind what occurred within the morning. I began to fret a bit when it ran late as a result of I believed all people could be fucking senseless [by the actual ceremony].
Who have you ever loved catching up with?
Jeff Beck and Ronnie Wooden. And Jack Bruce, after all. I used to be with Slash in California final week and he didn’t say he was gonna be right here. That was odd.
On an evening like this, do you concentrate on your late guitarist Randy Rhoads?
Yeah. Oh yeah. Seeing him up there on the display… [his words trail off…]
Some would say that had you not met Randy while you did, we would not even be having this dialog?
Yeah. That’s true. It’s very unhappy.
What went by your thoughts up on the podium?
I believed I had all the pieces deliberate however after I acquired there I couldn’t consider a fucking factor to say. I used to be extremely nervous. I don’t actually get off on issues like this, to be completely sincere.
Even so, it have to be pleasing so that you can be hailed as a Dwelling Legend?
It’s fucking nice. Watching the collage of images on the display… after I consider the place I got here from. My complete life was up there. I’ve been doing this for lots of years. I had no thought I used to be going to final so long as I’ve. And hopefully there’s extra left in me. The truth that I’m alive is a fucking miracle. Something that comes out now could be additional as a result of, by all accounts, I ought to’ve been lifeless 30 years in the past, the approach to life I’ve led. However I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. I don’t do dope. I’m fairly fucking boring today.
Do you actually suppose you’re boring, or simply compared to the way you was?
Once I first found alcohol and medicines and all of the wild life rock and roll offers you, it was nice enjoyable, however then it grew to become very previous very fast for me. One factor I’ve at all times maintained, I’ve at all times tried to be sober earlier than I’m going on stage. There’s been events after I haven’t been. Not very many. I used to attend till after the present to get fucked up. I at all times had respect for the viewers… saying that, generally I’d be hung over from the night time earlier than and been fucking crap.
One time, when requested about your success, you mentioned: “I’m confused by all of it. Am I actually so particular? I don’t perceive.”
That’s type of proper. I don’t suppose I really deserve it as a result of I’ve had quite a lot of assist from lots of people alongside the best way. It wasn’t my thought. I used to be only a easy man from Aston, Birmingham.
What’s it prefer to be Ozzy Osbourne?
I’m at all times in search of the rainbow I can’t discover. As an alternative of simply being me, I’ve acquired one in every of these alcoholic brains that thinks of the darkish facet of life. I can’t go: “I’m going to be 60 in December, I’ve made lots of people completely happy.” I at all times consider the few individuals I haven’t made completely happy.
Like Sharon will say to me: “What the fuck’s mistaken with you?” We’d go to a perform or one thing and there’d be some man within the nook that I don’t know and he’s acquired a glance on his face, and I feel: “He hates me.” I’ll spend the night making an attempt to get the man to love me. And Sharon will go to me: “What the fuck’s mistaken with you?” And I’ll go: “That man, he doesn’t like me.” And he or she’ll go: “However the remainder of them love you.” However that’s the best way I’m.
It’s like after I go and do a present. If I’m on stage and I can see one man standing there wanting bored, I’ll do the present for him. I’ll let you know a comic story, really. It’s a real, true story. It’s typical of Ozzy Osbourne. I’m just like the idiot on the hill generally. I’m going on stage. I’m doing a present. The fucking place is packed. There’s hundreds of them in there. There’s a bunch of individuals on stage left, about six or eight of them in a block. They’re simply standing there [crosses arms and adopts bored pose]. I believed, fuck me, I’ve acquired to show them on. I’m doing the present, dealing with them, fucking screaming, and there’s sweat pumping out of my veins. My neck is swollen.
In the long run I lose it and switch to my assistant, Tony. I say: “Get these youngsters out of right here. I’m going to die in any other case. Give them their a reimbursement.” So he goes: “They’re deaf.” I’m going: “What? Oh my god.” So then I’m making an attempt to do instantaneous fucking signal language. [Ozzy starts doing mock sign language and speaking very deliberately] I… am… sorry! There’s like 90,000 individuals and there’s eight fucking deaf individuals and I’m pondering they don’t just like the present [laughs]. That’s typical Ozzy.
Do you sense a degree of expectation when individuals meet you?
I’ve at all times been a clown. I prefer to make individuals completely happy. I prefer to make individuals have enjoyable in life. After we did the TV factor, my son mentioned to me: “Dad, would you favor individuals to chortle at you or with you?” I mentioned: “You realize what, Jack, so long as they’re laughing, I don’t give a fuck in the event that they’re laughing at me or with me, so long as they’re laughing.”
How do you reply to those that really feel you’ve offered out?
Offered out to what? Offered out and being typecast are very shut. I didn’t go to any faculty or faculty or college to turn into Ozzy. I simply was. Quite a lot of my craziness, quite a lot of my picture, was all the way down to alcohol and medicines. I may have carried on with the alcohol and medicines, however I’ve a duty to my household. I didn’t need to die prematurely. So, what have I acquired to do, drink myself into oblivion? I don’t know what to say to that.
On one hand I do know what you’re saying and on one other hand, I’m confused. What do individuals need me to do? Do they need me to die doing what I do? I don’t do medication anymore. I don’t do alcohol or smoke dope anymore. I don’t know what to say to you, actually. In the event that they suppose I’ve offered out, then what extra can I say that may make them suppose that I’ve not offered out.
That’s at all times bothered me. I don’t go: “Oh, I can’t do that TV shit. I can’t do these adverts”… it’s fucking work. It’s what I do. I get what they’re saying. Consider me, it crosses my thoughts quite a bit. Can I try this and never anticipate to get any flak from my following? I always say that to Sharon and it’s a good level.
Is there something you wouldn’t do in worry of a backlash?
I query it all of the fucking time. I don’t actually care an excessive amount of for TV, however there once more if it comes alongside, what do I do, say no? There was a time when it was retro to play Prime Of The Pops as a result of individuals would suppose you’ve offered out. When Black Sabbath did Prime Of The Pops, we simply did it as a result of it was Prime Of The Pops. However then we acquired flak as a result of individuals like Ten Years After and different bands on the time refused to do it.
Do you are feeling any duty in direction of Sabbath followers?
Once in a while I’ll choose up {a magazine} and browse what’s been written about me. I learn this one factor saying, Tony [Iommi] ought to recover from this Ozzy factor. He’s not going to do a Sabbath album. However let me let you know the explanation I haven’t executed a Sabbath album. I used to be a unique man then.
The identify Black Sabbath is a really particular identify, for me anyway, as a result of we weren’t like some band put collectively by some mogul, just like the fucking Spice Women or one thing. We had been 4 guys from Aston, Birmingham. I used to be at college with Tony, we acquired a band going and it was an enormous success from document one. It’s very tough to return and recapture what you as soon as had. It’s like we’ve all grown. One factor I’m actually glad about is we’re all mates once more. Meaning extra to me than something.
How do you suppose your standing as a celeb has affected your musical profession?
I don’t know. I’ve acquired to be truthful to you. The superstar facet of it. I didn’t plan it and go: “If I do The Osbournes…” It simply occurred. If I had the formulation for making an enormous factor occur, on this city I’d have a line across the fucking state.
With success, all people desires to get seen with you. The paparazzi, now it’s like a illness. My home, I needed to have 24-hour armed surveillance. We needed to shred all the pieces as a result of individuals undergo the bins. It’s like being a fucking prisoner. It was a hoot at first. I used to be fucking out of my brains each minute of the present.
How would you describe your self?
Very fortunate. Very lucky. Very lucky to have fallen in love with my spouse. Very lucky to have lasted so lengthy. Very lucky to be alive. Very lucky to be sober and clear in the present day.
And the way would you describe your self to somebody who had by no means heard of Ozzy Osbourne?
A clown. A clown desires to make individuals happier than they already really feel.
Is that the way you’d prefer to be remembered, as a clown?
No. A man that attempted to make individuals have enjoyable with their lives.
Because the Prince Of Darkness, how do you are feeling about these unlikely moments when you end up doing issues like having dinner with President Bush or acting at Buckingham Palace?
I didn’t have dinner with President Bush. I’m not like that Irish man [he means Bono]. I went to this factor. I didn’t know what the fuck it was about. I believed, “Fuck this”. I’d had about three bottles of fucking plonk, I used to be out of my shitter. I saved going for a piss.
Once I acquired there, it was similar to pandemonium. There should have been about 3,000 cameramen. It was simply when The Osbournes took off. It was just a few months after they blew the World Commerce Middle out of the sky. I’m going on this place and there’s a dais on this stage. Throughout us is all these information channels, Fox, MSNBC, BBC and Christie Brinkley’s at one desk and I’m like: “What the fuck is all this about?” I simply thought, “That is nuts!”
And I began consuming the wine. I get shit-faced. And when he [Bush] will get up on the dais, I’m pondering: “Is that this a fucking dream or what?” He goes: “Now we have some very distinguished company right here tonight, like Ozzy Osbeeeern [adopts Texas drawl]. My mom’s an enormous fan.” That is fucking nuts. I’m like in shock. I’m pondering, “Terrorists are going to blow this place up. They’re going to kill the federal government and me with these fuckers”. I by no means anticipated it’s like this.
Discovering your self at Buckingham Palace performing on the Queen’s fiftieth Anniversary Live performance should have felt equally weird.
Once I went into the Palace for that fucking factor, there have been indicators saying: ‘No foul language,’ ‘No abusive phrases,’ ‘No chasing the wild animals.’ I’m pondering, I’m certain this ain’t for anyone else. ‘Don’t chase the animals.’ ‘Don’t throw something within the lake’. . . except you’ve acquired a brick tied to your neck [laughs].
How do you are feeling about turning 60 in December?
I’m not wanting ahead to it. However I can’t deny it. I’m 60. I don’t look that dangerous. I don’t really feel that dangerous. I’ve had an unbelievable life. I don’t know what to say about being 60. It’s solely one other birthday. I’m glad I’m going to achieve 60. I hope I attain 70. Once I was 18-20, I’d go: “I’m going to be lifeless earlier than I’m 40.” That was alright till I used to be 39. Then I’m like: “How about 50?” No one will get out of right here alive.
Do you worry dying?
No. I ain’t wanting ahead to it. But it surely’s what occurs.
What would you want in your gravestone?
See, I advised you I used to be unwell.
Given all the pieces you’ve been by, do you consider your self as a survivor?
I’m type of an unintentional survivor. Once I used to do drink and medicines and all that, I’d by no means sleep mendacity on my again. It’s one thing I drilled into my head as a result of so many individuals alongside the best way lay on their again and choke on their vomit within the night time. So mechanically I’d simply lie on my facet. Even now I can’t sleep on my again. Is it as a result of I’ve survived that folks suppose I’ve offered out?
No. I feel it’s extra the truth that you’ve lived at instances a reckless life. Individuals may query your flippant angle in direction of dying.
You have got a bottle of vodka for breakfast within the morning, you ain’t going to have a lot to care about by fucking 12. I used to be a persistent alcoholic. Let me let you know one thing, after I began consuming booze and getting loaded, it was very a lot enjoyable. We had fucking joints, coke, all this shit, however there got here some extent in my life, and I can’t actually keep in mind which level, it flipped on me. I couldn’t try this anymore to myself as a result of I didn’t need to die and I used to be fearful of dwelling on the finish.
Do you might have any regrets?
All people has regrets however you’ll be able to’t change the previous, however you’ll be able to try to do one thing in regards to the future. I prefer to imagine that my life has been considerably of a path of experiences. You don’t know whether or not you want strawberry jam till you style it. I don’t need to sound like an previous fucking thinker. When you take pleasure in getting fucking loaded, nice. Consider me, if I may get efficiently fucked up once more, I wouldn’t be speaking to you saying that, I’d be off. But it surely turned on me in the long run.
Quite a lot of the blokes ain’t right here due to it: John Bonham, Keith Moon. I’m a meat eater. I’m not a fucking guru of brown rice and Buddha. My final try at making an attempt to get into Buddha: I purchased a six-foot excessive gold Buddha for seven grand and I can’t discover wherever in the home to place the fucking factor so it’s rotting out within the storage now. I believed I’d get religious, for 10 minutes.
Why had been you making an attempt to get religious?
As you grow old you begin to suppose, what occurs subsequent? Once I do make that closing plunge, the place do I’m going to? Heaven feels like a fucking boring place to me. Hell’s extra my type of area as a result of it’s just like the dangerous man. However I ain’t a nasty man. I used to be a really sick man for a very long time. I nonetheless am. Tasks? I uncared for them. No matter I wished, I went for. Generally I’d get it and generally I wouldn’t.
I’m simply very fortunate to have the ability to discuss to you want I’m speaking to you now. I do have some injury. I broke my neck on that ATV which fucked me up dangerous. The man mentioned to me after I got here out of the coma, had it been a milli-fucking-metre both manner, you wouldn’t have been sitting right here speaking to me, you’d have been in a wheelchair at finest for the remainder of your life.
When occasions like that occur, the place you might be clearly fortunate to have survived, do you surprise, Why was I saved?
I do know with none query of doubt, had I been awake when Randy acquired on that aircraft, I’d have been on the fucking wing with a bottle of vodka. I’d have been with him. But it surely was my future to not be.
As soon as, when requested in regards to the incident while you killed your ex-wife’s chickens, you mentioned: “Everybody likes the wild and loopy man, however that man’s acquired to go to mattress and lie on that pillow along with his conscience.” Does your conscience ever hold you awake?
Certain. My conscience tortures me at instances. I’ll re-run the day generally. However I’m very delicate. I feel: “Why the fuck did I say that?” I’ll know while you go away in the present day I’ll be going: “He’s going to suppose I’m a fucking dickhead.” When individuals learn my previous quotes, that was what I used to be feeling like at the moment.
The factor is, if you happen to proceed to do the identical silly factor and anticipate a unique end result, that’s what craziness is. If I sit in a bar and I’m not doing something loopy, individuals go: “What’s up with Ozzy?” Don’t I’ve the correct to do what I need to do? Generally my people-pleasing facet will get me into one thing I can’t get out of. I’m knowledgeable individuals pleaser. That’s what I do. I can’t play a fucking guitar.
What do you take into account your best achievement?
Dwelling.
What ambitions do you might have now?
Studying to stay life on life’s phrases. I’ve solely acquired in the present day. I’ll sit right here and go, fucking hell, subsequent Christmas I’ll be doing this . . . However after I’m worrying about tomorrow, I ain’t dwelling in the present day.
Do you want your self now?
I like myself higher than I did, however I’m at all times in search of the black cloud. Sharon would say to me: “I don’t perceive you. The fucking sky’s blue and also you received’t be completely happy till you discover that little black cloud.” That sums me up.
Have you ever tried to determine what that’s about?
I suppose it’s insecurity. In school I didn’t do properly. I didn’t do fuck-all any good. However after I hit the stage, I did higher.
Do you are feeling insecure now?
Yeah. I didn’t conjure up the best way I’m. I didn’t sit down and go, for the primary so and so years of my life that is after I’m going to be the loopy fucker. Then I’m going to decelerate. That might hold me hitting the bottle as a result of I’d fear I’m getting too regular now. I can’t have that. I’m at all times questioning myself.
Do you might have any plans on retiring?
Yearly. I don’t like to essentially have a look at it as a result of then I realise how fucking previous I’m. I’ve at all times mentioned, so long as I’ve acquired an viewers and giving good service.
And eventually, are you content?
I’m happier.
Interview: Kevin Murphy. Extra materials: Dave Ling. This interview initially appeared in Traditional Rock 127 (January 2009)
