By: Michael Drukarsh - To this day, Ozzy Osbourne’s career is still marred by “What Ifs” as he continues to defy the odds by not just still being with us, but by still contributing to the world of heavy metal.
For this edition of “WHAT IFs” I’ll be looking at the early stages. The building blocks of Ozzy’s career and wonder “WHAT IF”...
1) In 1979, after being fired from Black Sabbath, Ozzy fell into a deep depression. Having recently lost his father and now without a band, Ozzy buried himself deep in drugs and alcohol. Sharon Arden, the daughter of Black Sabbath’s manager, Don Arden, saw something in Ozzy and decided to take a risk. After briefly dating Ozzy, Sharon acquired his contract from her father causing a rift between them that would last more than 20 years and began putting together a band that would become The Blizzard of Ozz. "What if" Sharon had no interest in dating Ozzy and instead continued on working under her father’s guidance?
2) In March of 1981, Ozzy’s first album Blizzard of Ozz was set to be released in the US. After making a dent in the UK charts, having been released the previous September, Sharon wanted to make sure things went well in the US with the Epic Record reps. During a meeting on the 27th of March, Sharon thought it would be wonderful for Ozzy to release two doves into the boardroom as a “peace offering” to the record label. Ozzy, at the last minute, decided to change plans and rather than releasing the doves, brought one out from his pocket and, in front of the several record executives, proceeded to bite the head off the first dove and throw its lifeless body onto the lap of one of the women beside him. After doing the same to the other dove, Ozzy was asked to leave and was told he would never work for CBS again. Rather than playing down the incident, Sharon used it as a publicity tool, and along with picture evidence of the infamous act, helped get Ozzy’s first solo album on the charts by April and jump start Ozzy’s first solo North American tour. "What if" Ozzy followed the plan laid out by Sharon and rather than chomp off the head, set the doves free in a lovely gesture of peace and tranquility?
3) In 1979, just prior to Ozzy heading back to the UK, guitarist Randy Rhoads showed up to audition for an opening slot in what would become Ozzy’s new solo band. According to Rhoads, he plugged in and began tuning up when Ozzy said he got the gig. This led to a partnership that would bring Ozzy’s career to heights never imagined. While there is some controversy surrounding credits and royalties, there is no doubt that together, Ozzy and Randy created magic and the first two albums Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman are two of the most influential albums of all time. Tragically, Randy’s life would be cut short when he perished in a plane crash on March 19, 1982 at the young age of 25. Also killed was Rachel Youngblood, the band's seamstress. "What if" Randy never got on that plane?
4) After the untimely death of Randy Rhoads, Ozzy chose to carry on. Recruiting guitarist Brad Gillis to help with the recording of a contractual live album, 1982’s Speak of the Devil, Ozzy would again be looking for a replacement when Gillis returned shortly after to his band Night Ranger. Enter Jake E. Lee. By 1983, the new guitarist was in full writing mode, helping to pen songs for the upcoming 3rd album Bark at the Moon, including the two pre-released singles and videos, "So Tired" and "Bark at the Moon". It was during the filming of "So Tired" when a piece of glass from a shattered mirror got caught in Ozzy’s throat causing some minor damage and forcing him to postpone a few shows. "What if" Ozzy never recovered from this incident and had irreparable throat damage?
5) On September 2nd 1989, Ozzy woke from his slumber, made his way downstairs and sat beside his wife Sharon. Turning to her he stated “We’ve come to a decision”. Unfazed by the absurdness of the situation, Sharon offhandedly asked what the decision was. “We’re sorry but you are going to have to die. There’s no other option.” Ozzy then proceeded to attempt to choke the life out of his wife. There are different accounts as to how Sharon escaped, but whether it was by pushing the panic button or by someone actually interfering, Ozzy ended up in jail and charged with attempted murder. Although Ozzy admitted to having no recollection of the event, Sharon ultimately dropped charges after a court mandated separation and a trip to rehab for Ozzy. "What if" Sharon never reached that panic button?
As Ozzy rolled into the 90s, his career path became a little more straight with 1991's No More Tears bringing back somewhat of a resurgence for the "Prince of Darkness". Continuing on through the 90s and into the 2000s with a #1 reality show, more albums, a quad bike accident, a Parkinson's syndrome diagnosis and of course controversy and crazy antics Ozzy appears to truly be indestructible and will hopefully continue his journey on the "Crazy Train" for a long time to come.
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