Ozzy Osbourne
Touring is all a matter of perspective. Some treat it like an extended vacation, partying in each city to the max. Usually, in this environment, the performances become hit or miss. Others take a more business like approach. They play the same songs, in the same order, the same way, with well-rehearsed "spontaneity," often repeating the "stage banter" they used the night before and the night before that. It's understandable that musicians locked in an extensive tour would want to blow off some steam. Cut loose for a little bit. Maybe the activities might lack judgement but who ever expected logic and responsibility from a musician?
Having been booted out of Black Sabbath (for excessive drug use - being the most wasted of the wasted), Osbourne embarked on a remarkable solo career. Out of the box he had two massively successful records, "The Blizzard of Ozz," with "Crazy Train," and "Diary Of A Madman." Both albums featured the fiercely brilliant guitar work of ex-Quiet Riot member, Randy Rhoads. Osbourne's '82 tour, kicking off in January, had a shaky start. First, there was the infamous "biting the head off a bat" during a Des Moines, IA, show. Legend has it Osbourne bit the head off a dove at a record label meeting the year before to shock "the suits." However, this time around it didn't go so smoothly. First, animal lovers protested. Second, Osbourne had to undergo painful rabies shots. Later Osbourne claimed he didn't know it was a live animal and thought it was a prop. Yeah, OK. But once you start biting the heads off doves it almost always leads to "harder" animals. That's just the way it is.
That was a minor incident compared to what followed. Osbourne's career was going so well that he could tour using both a bus and a plane. Outside of Orlando, FL, the plane was making dive bomb runs at the bus, then pulling up steeply. Everyone was having a great time, including Rhoads, who was on the plane. It must have seemed like harmless fun. What could happen? Well, on one run the plane clipped the bus and went out of control. Rhoads, the pilot and Osbourne's hairdresser were killed in the crash.
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Osbourne decided to continue the tour using ex-Gillan guitarist Bernie Torme as Rhoads' replacement. But the tragedy robbed Osbourne of his primary musical partner. Osbourne continued to have commercially successful albums with "The Ultimate Sin," "No Rest For The Wicked" and "No More Tears" (with the autobiographical ballad "Mama, I'm Coming Home") but he seemed to lose focus relying increasingly on theatrics and gimmicks (but no more bats). He also performed a duet with ex-Runaway, Rocker Lita Ford. Uncharacteristically for both, the song "Close My Eyes Forever," released in '89, was a ballad. It was also the only time either cracked the Top 10 on the pop charts.
The Ozzy story continued with the launch of OzzFest. The mega Metal tours were commercially successful and served to keep Osbourne in front of the faithful.
After 30 years in Metal and nearly two decades past his prime, Ozzy Osbourne was still active but had just about fallen off the radar. Then MTV got the idea of filming Osbourne's day to day existence. Ozzy became a household name as the befuddled father on MTV's "The Osbournes." Displaying a "why not" attitude the Osbourne family (with the exception of daughter, Anna) agreed to a limited run. After all, it might spike the "old man's" career. Instead of satanic rituals and blood sacrifice, MTV got ma and pa Osbourne and the kids. It became one of the most highly rated programs in cable history with the Osbourne's contract being extended. Life in L.A. is bizarre enough without having to view it through a drugged out/burned out haze. But with the help of his wife/manager Sharon, Ozzy made a go of it. What made the series work was the jaded Rock star colliding with the day-to-day triviality of suburban life. However, the defining moment came when a bubble machine was slated for an Ozzy video. Knowing exactly what was at stake, Ozzy railed "I am the bloody Prince of Darkness! I don't use any f***ing bubble machine!" Well, of course not.
All this success had a downside (always does). Sharon battled cancer. Their son went into rehab. Sharon launched a daytime talk show that was soon cancelled and Ozzy had a near fatal ATV accident in late '03. A bit later, the family pulled the plug on their T.V. show and Ozzy joined his original Sabbath bandmates for an Ozzfest run. He also tried sobriety and seemed happier for it. Imagine that.
But there's more! Osbourne's "Black Rain" hit in May, '07. "It's a well-put-together album," said Ozzy. "I took my time on (it) and (guitarist) Zakk (Wylde) plays some amazing stuff as always."
"I Don't Wanna Stop" was the lead single. "People keep saying to me, 'You'll be quitting soon, retiring.' I don't wanna stop!" claimed Ozzy. "I'd miss the fans. I'd miss the buzz, seeing the crowd going crazy." The album was recorded at Osbourne's home studio in L.A.
'81 was Ozzy Osbourne's year. He released both "Diary of a Madman" and "Blizzard of Ozz," with "Crazy Train" and "Suicide Solution." Free of Black Sabbath, Osbourne still needed support. And he got it from supreme Metal guitarist Randy Rhoads. After Rhoads' death in '82, it would be four albums spread over a decade before Osbourne stepped it up again. With help from Motorhead's Lemmy, for "No More Tears" delivers though it's probably best known for containing, "Mama, I'm Coming Home," which isn't bad for being a pop ballad.
"The Ozzman Cometh" chronicles Ozzy's career and is an excellent overview. There's also the live double album "Tribute" that showcases the explosive Rhoads/Osbourne combination.
What's amazing is that Ozzy is not only still standing but that "Black Rain" is more than credible, it's actually very good. Ozzy can still sing with authority and power though he sometimes let's the snarky side of his voice dominate ("Civilize The Universe"). Wylde's guitar is as propulsive and searing as ever.
"Take me higher, take me faster" (lyrics from "Silver"). Yes, definitely. The opening tracks, "Not Going Away," lead single "I Don't Wanna Stop" and the title track are potent metallic charges. A fine start but the album needs to cut loose. Metal mania. But instead, there's the tepid ballad "Lay Your World On Me" and the melodramatic "God Bless The Almighty Dollar." Finally, the set gets unhinged with "Silver," "Countdown's Begun" and "Trap Door" (saving the best for last). In between, there's a solid arena ballad, "Here For You." Stock up on those disposable lighters.