Ozzy Osbourne’s New Book Shatters Past Myths: Major Revelations Uncovered
Ozzy Osbourne had a final endeavor prior to his passing in July at the age of 76: a memoir called Last Rites.
This book, released on Tuesday, October 7, shares the late rocker’s struggle with multiple health issues in his later years while also offering a wealth of fascinating stories from his time as a heavy metal icon and a reality television personality.
“Look, if it ends tomorrow, I can’t complain,” he reflects in the opening of the memoir. “I’ve traveled the globe. Seen a lot of things. Met some incredible individuals — King Charles, Queen Elizabeth, presidents, actors, celebrities, and some truly amazing fans. I’ve had my ups and downs.”
The Grammy winner announced the memoir less than two weeks before he suffered a heart attack at his Birmingham home. Earlier that month, he described his last concert as “the best medicine I’ve had since all my medical challenges began in 2019.”
Continue reading for key insights from Last Rites:
The ‘Most Addictive’ Drug He’s Tried
Osbourne, known for his heavy drug use before achieving sobriety, described nicotine in his memoir as “the most addictive substance I’ve ever put into my body, without a doubt.”
He also expressed his distaste for propofol, the drug that tragically claimed Michael Jackson, noting, “There are just some things you don’t mess around with. The fact that Michael used it every night to sleep is absolutely insane to me.”
While he experienced numerous frightening drug-related incidents, one of the most terrifying occurred while working on his 1995 solo album, Ozzmosis, when he mixed vodka with codeine.
“It was absolutely terrifying,” he remembered, emphasizing that there was a moment when he couldn’t breathe. “I came that close, man. It scared the living s*** out of me.”
Ozzy Osbourne’s life, both on and off the stage, was full of numerous shocking moments. Throughout his career, the Black Sabbath member kept fans on their toes with what he might do next. Over the years, he made headlines for allegedly stripping in Germany, painting his nose purple, and accidentally urinating on…
He Never Intended to Bite Off That Bat’s Head
Osbourne’s infamous encounter with biting off an animal’s head began when he bit the head off a dove during a record label meeting in 1981. He did it to shock those present but later felt deep remorse. “Now that I’m older and living a sober life, I can’t stand any form of animal cruelty,” he stated. “What happened to that bird will haunt me forever, but I can’t undo what I did.”
More notoriously, he bit the head off a bat during a 1982 concert in Des Moines, Iowa, but according to him, it was an accident. “That night, someone threw what I thought was a fake bat onto the stage. I caught it,” he recounted. “I don’t need to explain what happened next. When I bit down, I quickly realized it wasn’t rubber.”
He Felt Relief When ‘The Osbournes’ Concluded
MTV introduced Ozzy and his family — wife Sharon and children Jack and Kelly — to a new generation through the reality show The Osbournes, but he expressed relief when the series ended in 2005.
“I enjoyed being on The Osbournes, but I truly disliked working in television. It’s a vipers’ nest, it really is. It’s nothing like being involved in music,” he shared. “When the last camera person left, it was such a relief, man. At least I could take a s*** without a boom mic hovering above me.”
Ozzy Osbourne sold over 100 million records globally throughout his solo career and during his days with Black Sabbath before his passing in 2025. His journey began in 1967 when he joined bassist Geezer Butler’s initial band, Rare Breed, as a vocalist. Although the band didn’t last long, […]
He Discussed Recovery With Other Stars
Ozzy made multiple attempts to quit drinking and drugs, ultimately succeeding, often with support from other celebrities. He mentioned that Matthew Perry “used to visit our home for AA meetings,” describing him as “the funniest, most talented bloke.”
Before his passing in 2016, David Bowie also interacted with Ozzy during AA meetings. “He even called my home in L.A. a couple of times to discuss recovery-related matters,” Ozzy recalled. “I can’t remember the last thing I said to him. When you’re younger, it never hits you that you might not get another chance to see someone again.”
The Notorious ‘Cocaine Duel’ With David Lee Roth
Legend has it that Ozzy engaged in a “cocaine duel” with David Lee Roth, competing to see who could consume the most cocaine before passing out or worse. However, Ozzy’s recollections are skeptical, given that he and Roth weren’t particularly close. “I mean, it’s possible it happened,” he said. “But I doubt it. That just wasn’t my style with Dave.”
King Charles III Gifted Him Scotch
The book features numerous rock star anecdotes, including a humorous one involving King Charles, then the Prince of Wales. “Every time we meet, we have a good laugh. He’s a great guy,” Ozzy mentioned. “After my quad bike accident, he sent me a bottle of Scotch, which was very thoughtful. The only issue was that Sharon seized it before I could enjoy it. It ended up in the ‘loft of no return,’ where she stashes everything she wants to keep from me.”
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer remarked that he was always astounded at his friendship with Charles, noting, “When I was a kid, if I told anyone that the future king of England would be sending me booze, they would have locked me in a padded room.”
Ozzy was aware he was nearing the end of his life during his final Black Sabbath performance, according to his friend Tom Morello. Morello, who played a role in Black Sabbath’s farewell show in Birmingham on July 5, noted that Ozzy appeared “frail” and prepared for the inevitable.
His Alleged Suicide Pact with Sharon
For years, rumors circulated regarding a suicide pact between Ozzy and Sharon, 72, in the event of one of their deaths, but Ozzy dispelled these claims. “That’s bulls***,” he stated. “We just don’t want a lengthy, drawn-out end on a breathing apparatus. I’ve told Sharon that if it ever comes to that for me, please… pull the plug. Or fly me to Switzerland for a final sip of the good stuff and send me off like a Viking.”
He Considered Recording Again Before His Passing
Although Ozzy could no longer perform live due to his health, he had not given up on music and intended to record again before his death. “While I may never perform again, I’ve already envisioned a new album,” he shared, expressing a preference to remain in England rather than return to L.A. “I’ve lived a loud life. I’m ready for some serenity now.”
