American Morning
Ozzy Osbourne on 'American Morning' Friday
Editor's Note: Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne has written a new autobiography titled, "I Am Ozzy." He sat down with our John Roberts to discuss his book in a reunion interview that airs Friday on CNN's American Morning.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/01/28/ozzy.art.jpg caption="Ozzy Osbourne sits down with CNN's John Roberts almost 25 years to the day since their first interview."]
By John Roberts, CNN
It was January, 1985 in Rio De Janiero. I was a fresh-faced kid from Canada with a rather amusing mullet – he was a seasoned rock road warrior who had the rather dubious ability to consume lethal quantities of drugs and alcohol and somehow, miraculously, not die.
It was under the tropical Brazilian sun – the sweet sounds of samba in the air, that I was first introduced to Ozzy Osbourne – former lead singer of Black Sabbath – the Prince of Darkness – a man for whom extreme was just far too tame when it came to lifestyles.
Something had dawned on Ozzy several weeks earlier. He decided that he didn’t want to die before the age of 40, and checked himself into the Betty Ford clinic. We talked at length about his experiences – cleaning toilets, vacuuming the floor, making coffee for the staff and how he had decided that just because you’re a rock star doesn’t mean you have to be out of it ALL the time.
It was the first of what would be many attempts at rehab – a battle against an addiction that nearly destroyed him a dozen times, and came close to taking the life of his dear wife Sharon when – in the midst of an alcohol-induced rage, he tried to strangle her. Ozzy woke up in jail the next day with not a clue as to what had happened.
Somehow, against the odds, he managed to reach the ripe old age of 61, and pen one of the more compelling rock autobiographies I have ever read.
“I Am Ozzy” traces his journey from the humble streets of Aston, England through a blizzard of cocaine, prescription drugs, alcohol and rock and roll excess and finally finds him a sober, loving family man who is amazed that he actually survived it all. It’s a zany romp, if rather disturbing at times, for the sheer volume of substance abuse. Literally every funny story revolves around drugs, like the time he thought the band’s cocaine-filled house in L.A. was being raided by the police and he attempted to destroy a mountain of evidence by snorting it. Turns out, he had accidentally hit the burglar alarm while trying to adjust the thermostat.
I sat down with Ozzy – 25 years almost to the day we first met to discuss the book, and his remarkable tale of survival. He is incredibly lucid for a man who should have few neural neurons left at his disposal and is in surprisingly good health (a function of working out almost every day). He’s also a great story teller – the natural frontman – and can still recount things that happened 50 years ago in extraordinary detail.
Meanwhile, I can’t remember what I did last week.
Program Note: Watch the full interview with Ozzy Osbourne on CNN's American Morning, Friday 6-9 a.m. ET.
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Spitzer and Osbourne in one morning on CNN? You have lost my respect Kiran and John. I have been a faithful CNN viewer for many years. There are too many other news worthy events to be covering and too many credible guests to be on your show (Eliot Spitzer-that is the bottom of the barrel).
Hello John, Kieran, great show, it's fresh, easy and informative.
One concern though,
John, you seem to have a burst of admiration for Ozzy, a less than perfect man who spent most of his life on heavy drugs and infidelities, you also seem to brush aside his attack on his wife. Strangling your wife is a very very serious thing and saying that you were high on drugs isn't an excuse I'm sure your average Joe can ever use.
CNN's transcripts document that you were not so easy on Chris Brown's incident with Rihanna.
Just an observation!
Sean, Toronto
I love Ozzy and he will always be one of my favorite rockers of all time. LOVE YOU OZZY!!
I love Ozzy and he will always be one of my absolute favorite rockers of all time!
Good morning guys. Interesting show today with Ozzy. Even all that he's been through, he believes in miracles. There's a reason for that. Can't wait to see who his favorite musician is. It's probably one of those yin yang things.
Ozzy managed to see the light just before it went out. The era he grew up in was full of excesses. I know this, as I experienced it. I am surprised he is still here. Many during that time are not.
John,
Curious if he remembered the first time you guys met in January 1985.
By the way, you failed to mention that Ozzy did not pen the story but conveyed it orally to a ghostwriter who then penned the story. No harm in that, the stories I am sure were truly lived and re-told by a person who can write well. You also failed to disclose his countless sexually transmitted diseases, which Ozzy has acknowledged in the past. Any reason for that? Perhaps it is because revelaing that would somehow lessen the vicarious fun we can take away from reading about his sexual romps?
I met "The Oz" in the early 80s, first USA tour as a solo act (w/Randy Rhoads). I was the concert promoter's local liaison (in Davenport, IA). After bringing/counting out the advance ticket sale money, the road manager asks if I have a car. "You need to get the Oz." I told him I'd get my girl and go: "No. No room, no time for that. We've got a job tew dew. We've got to pick up the Oz. Right now." He was a right bloody officious Aussie you know. Left my girl with the affable Tommy Aldridge (drummer and very nice dude) and took off for a Ramada Inn type place near I-80. My car was an old bomb of a Pontiac - looked and ran like a wreck; topped out at 30 mph. A few minutes after arriving, out come Sharon Arden in a red silk flowing thing with a nervous wreck of a toy chihuahua in her arms. The Oz came out with a towel wrapped around his head like something out of a monster movie and piled into the back seat as best he could - the back seat was full of old bundles of newspapers the record store chain I worked for published and that I was to distribute. Hadn't gotten round to it for a few weeks. Sharon and the Aussie got in the front. Sharon's first remark: "You're right, it certainly is not a limo." To which Oz replied: "I'm not blanking going on tonight. I'm too blanking drunk. That birch - she tied me down to the bed poured the vodka down me throat and fudged me." Sharon: "Ozzy! Ozzy! Stop saying that! We're with strangers! You have to go on! The fans love you! You can't disappoint them!" Oz repeated his accusations of forced drunkenness and sex and vowing he wouldn't go on. Heading down Highway 61, he noticed the paper bundles next to him, asked "What's this ship?" and began throwing them out the window. We were all laughing hysterically and occasionally terrorizing the locals at traffic stops (Sharon would leer and make suggestive or blatant remarks at carloads of teenie boys). The Oz went on, great show, mooned the audience during his encore, the dog had his eardrums burst yet again . . . and afterwards the real scandalous behavior began. . . .
I love Ozzy.I have been a fan since the early 80s ,when he went solo.Theres something about his voice that no other singer can match.I got a kick out of how back in the early 80s all the news media and parents said he was a devil worshiper lol.Look at the bands out now,what he did and how he acted is nothing compared to the stuff people do today.But anywho cant wait to watch this.
Ya JD...The New Music forever!
John, When I first saw the title"When I met Ozzy Osbourne" I knew it had to be you. Reading your blog brought back memories of you interviewing Triumph, Rush, Max W. Goddo, etc. Blog more about the other experiences you have encountered in your "mullet" days.
Grew up listening to a healthy dose of the Ozzman. Some of favorites from him are Sabbath tunes including Paranoid and War Pigs. I also like several of the Dio/Sabbath songs like Sign of the Southern Cross. When I hear something from Bark at the Moon or Blizzard of Oz, it takes me back.
Hi John,... most Canadians in Ontario, Toronto-Hammertown (Hamilton) can still remember you, and Jeannie Becker on MMM. Oh yes,.. the hair,.... I'm going to check out You-Tube.
I love Ozzy...you can't help but love this half carzy ba*tard...
I've long been a big fan of Ozzy. Even in a drug induced stupor he managed toentertain and amuse us. He evolved with the years and kept (with Sharon's help and guidance) us entertained and amused. These days he seems to be the consumate family man, his reality show gave us a glimps of the doting Daddy that showed his family unconditional love.
Rock on Ozzy! 🙂
John, I can't wait to see the interview. I have always liked Ozzie for some strange reason, I still listen to his music at 46. He is a fascinating personality. I will definitely buy his book. I am sure it will be entertaining as well as educational.
Purple microdot and the Planet Caravan. Those were good times. Maybe the gov needs to bring back LSD. People take life too seriously these days.
New and met them both in toronto in the 80s on the new music, It does my heart good to see both ends of the that crock culture alive and well , Hats off to JD going sll the way and to Ozzy Osbourne for surviving all those fans. WATTSY
You'll always be JD up here in Canada, John. The New Music with you and Jeanne Beker rocked! What a gig that was for you.
He is one of the last true rock gods...his interview with Howard Stern the other day was awesome. He deserves a lot of respect for keeping himself together enough to reach his current age, and maybe appreciate what he has accomplished. Not condoning the drug and alcohol abuse, just saying he was/is a true pioneer, and he was/is funny as hell, great to listen to. Definitely one of a kind. Rock on Ozzy!