It’s taken a long time for legendary Brum rocker Ozzy Osbourne to release his inevitable autobiography.
That’s probably because its taken him a long time to remember what he was up to in the crazy 60s, 70s and 80s having, by his own admission, experimented with most chemical substances known to man.
The book was worth waiting for. It’s an entertaining, funny, shocking and occasionally emotional work with a potential gasp on every page. But don’t leave it around for the kids to read. Ozzy has made no concessions when it comes to the colourful language for which he is famous.
It’s been another good year for Ozzy. Fresh from scooping the Billboard Legends of Live award in recognition of his contributions to live music and touring, he’s off on another North American tour, though an ear infection meant he had to postpone a couple of gigs.
And later in 2011 he’s off to tour Brazil, another place where the fans love him.
Despite being 61, Ozzy is not about to leave the rock and roll lifestyle behind, though he does admit to enjoying a cup of Yorkshire tea first thing in the morning.
As for the drink and drugs, he’s been clean for more than five years.
Ozzy can still do it musically. His 10th studio album Scream is doing well off the back of his US tour. Last year’s album– Black Rain – was an immediate success and stormed to No 3 in US album charts. His ambition remains to get a No.1 album in the States.
Ozzy’s company, Monowise, has a turnover of more than £4 million and is doing nicely, boosted by his touring, personal appearances and his albums. Sharon continues to boost the Osbourne fortune with TV advertising deals and her TV appearances.
It’s all a long way from Ozzy’s childhood in Lodge Road, Aston, born into a poverty-stricken family with six children.
Bullied at school and suffering learning difficulties, he turned his back on crime and found refuge in music.
His big leap from rock star to celebrity came in 2002 when he became the unlikely star of an MTV reality TV series The Osbournes. The series, based on the unconventional domestic life of Ozzy and his family ran for three years and became one of MTV’s greatest hits.
He may live on a huge Buckinghamshire estate and have homes in Beverly Hills and Malibu, but Ozzy is still Brum’s favourite rocker.
