
Ozzy Osbourne's most outrageous moments from bat eating to meat throwing and feud with TV legend
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SINCE shooting to fame as part of Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne carved out a staggering career in the entertainment industry spanning almost 60 years.
But this week, he sadly passed away "surrounded by family" at his home with his family after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's.
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Ozzy Osbourne passed away following his battle with Parkinson's
Credit: PA
And with the world mourning the loss, it's impossible not to look back at the jaw-dropping moments that defined his one-of-a-kind career.
Whether he was biting the head off a bat on stage, hurling raw meat into crowds, or feuding with TV royalty.
Here's a look back at the most outrageous and iconic moments in the life of the rock legend.
Bat-Biting (1982)
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This bat-biting incident became a career defining moment for Ozzy Osbourne
Credit: Alamy
The singer - dubbed the Prince of Darkness - has always played up to his satanic image.
So when a fan hurled what he thought was a rubber bat toy at him on stage in January 1982, he put its head in his mouth and chomped.
Turned out it was in fact a real bat and he later recalled: 'Immediately, something felt wrong.'
There was a foul taste, and he felt the severed head twitch in his mouth.
The teenage bat-thrower later insisted it was already dead, but Ozzy always maintained he felt it moving.
Ozzy's Death Metal (1995)
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Ozzy had almost killed a man by tossing a TV out a hotel window
Credit: Getty
Wild rocker Ozzy had almost killed a man by tossing a TV out a hotel window whilst on his Retirement Sucks! tour in 1995.
He was boozing with guitarist Zakk Wylde in Prague unaware of a smoker outside when he decided to throw a TV out of his hotel room.
Ozzy and Kelly Osbourne performing their version of Changes together
He recalled: 'I am in The Four Seasons and I am watching the TV and I go to Zakk, 'I have never thrown a f****** TV out of the window of a hotel room. Let's f****** do it'.
'So I ripped the window open, picked it up and threw it out of the f****** window. It landed on the floor and f****** exploded. It went like a bomb.
'Little did I know that there was a guy smoking a cigarette and I shudder to think if that had hit him on the head. I would have killed him stone f****** dead.'
Meat Throwing (1980's)
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The rock legend hurled raw meat and animal parts into the crowd
Credit: Getty
In the Eighties, Ozzy took his fan interaction to a whole new level with a ritual as outrageous as it was unforgettable.
The rock legend began hurling raw meat and animal parts into the crowd — all whilst encouraging fans to return the favour with whatever strange items they could sneak into the venue.
One being the now-infamous bat incident and whilst some chalked it up to his on-stage theatrics, the truth was far more tongue-in-cheek.
He revealed in his documentary The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne, the inspiration came from old slapstick films featuring custard pie fights.
He said: 'It gave me this idea to throw, instead of pie, bits of meat and animal parts into the audience.
'I thought it was hilarious. (They'd throw back) sheep testicles, live snakes, dead rats, all kinds of things. Someone once threw a live frog onto onstage, it was the biggest frog I'd ever seen and it landed on its back.'
TV Legend Feud (2002)
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Not yet disgraced TV host and comedian Bill Cosby slammed the Osbourne's family show
Credit: Getty
Back in 2002 Ozzy and his family created a reality show big enough to rival The Kardashians.
The Osbourne's documented the ups and downs of the family's day to day life but not everyone had a good opinion about he show.
Not yet disgraced TV host and comedian Bill Cosby slammed the MTV series as "not entertainment".
Ozzy later revealed in his autobiography that Cosby had sent a letter scolding the family's use of foul language and supposed bad influence.
Wife Sharon was quick to fire back with a letter of her own, pointing out that Cosby wasn't exactly a saint — especially after news of his extramarital affair surfaced in the late nineties.
She also called out the hypocrisy of him clutching at straws over swearing whilst TV was drowning in violence.
The Alamo (1982)
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The Birmingham-born rocker was arrested at the site when he decided to publically urinate
Back in 1982 a very drunk Ozzy was seen dressed in one of wife Sharon's gowns during a photo shoot near the Alamo — the iconic Texas landmark where outnumbered rebels made their famed last stand against the Mexican army.
The Birmingham-born rocker was arrested at the site when he decided to publically urinate.
He later returned to the landmark with son Jack with Ozzy admitting he wasn't sure if he actually peed on the memorial as he was "very inebriated".
But Ozzy's fears were calmed once they were met by local councilman Robert Trevino who found Ozzy's old police report.
He then revealed the star was only charged with public intoxication that day - and never with public urination or public indecency.
Dove De-Capitation (1981)
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Ozzy pulled one of the most bizarre stunts in music history
Credit: The Mega Agency
A bat isn't the only thing The Black Sabbath Frontman bit into.
Back in 1981, during a meeting with CBS Records to celebrate his new solo deal, Ozzy pulled one of the most bizarre stunts in music history.
Hoping to make an impression, he arrived at the boardroom carrying two white doves.
What was supposed to be a quirky gesture quickly turned into a PR nightmare when he suddenly grabbed one of the doves and bit it's head off.
Spitting it onto the conference table in front of label executives and later reportedly did the same to the second dove, he admitted: 'They were all throwing up all over the place. People were freaked.'
He was immediately thrown out from the building and whilst the label was appalled, the stunt only added to Ozzy's reputation as rock's most unpredictable wild man.
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Scottish Sun
12 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Ozzy Osbourne ‘buried near bat boxes' put in trees on Bucks estate for the animals to thrive
It pays tribute to one of the most talked-about moments in his career FINAL RESTING PLACE Ozzy Osbourne 'buried near bat boxes' put in trees on Bucks estate for the animals to thrive Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) OZZY Osbourne has been buried near bat boxes and a family friend said it feels "like Ozzy had the last laugh'. The Black Sabbath legend, who died on July 22 at the age of 76, was laid to rest next to the lake in his Buckinghamshire home on Thursday. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 8 Ozzy has been laid to rest on his Buckinghamshire estate Credit: Getty 8 The gated residence is tucked away in the countryside Credit: mancpicss66 / Aaron Parfitt 8 The prince of darkness was buried on Thursday Credit: Getty - Contributor A family friend told the Mirror: 'This was like a classic Ozzy move. The man loved humour and this sure would have tickled him pink knowing how close friends reacted to this bat situation. 'After all those decades caught up in this drama around bats and animal rights groups, here at his final resting place there are bespoke bat boxes to help encourage the animals thrive in the UK countryside. "It has prompted quite a few laughs and funny reactions. It is just like Ozzy had the last laugh.' One of the most controversial moments of the heavy metal singer's career came in January 1982, when he famously bit the head off a bat on stage. Something small and black landed near him on stage during a show at Des Moines' Veterans Memorial Auditorium. Believing it was a rubber toy, Ozzy picked it up and bit into it. In his 2010 autobiography I Am Ozzy, he wrote: "Somebody threw a bat. I just thought it was a rubber bat. And I picked it up and put it in my mouth. I bit into it. Immediately, he continued, "something felt wrong. Very wrong". Ozzy said he deeply regretted the incident as he had to have daily rabies shots for months. It remains unclear whether the bat was alive or dead - in a 2006 interview with the BBC, Ozzy described it as a 'dead real bat'. Tearful Sharon Osbourne reads fans' touching tributes to beloved husband Ozzy as she joins family at funeral procession Buckinghamshire - home to many brown long-eared and pipistrelle bats - has recently taken steps to improve bat conservation. On Thursday, an "incredibly emotional" funeral service was held for the rocker, a family friend told The Sun. Tents were erected on the 250-acre grounds of the house Ozzy and Sharon bought in 1993, along with a stage where tributes were paid to the rocker. The home was decorated with pictures of Ozzy, and mourners were given a photograph of him to take home. 8 Sharon wore Ozzy's ring on a chain around her neck at the procession on Wednesday Credit: Splash 8 Sharon read tributes alongside daughter Kelly Credit: i-Images 8 Zakk Wylde and Marilyn Manson attended the funeral on Thursday Credit: Splash 8 Ozzy's name was displayed with pink flowers at his funeral cortege Credit: Alamy 110 of the singer's nearest and dearest attended, joining his wife Sharon and his children Jack, 39, Kelly, 40, Aimee, 41, and Louis, 50, his son from his first marriage to Thelma Riley. Stars at the service included Ozzy's Black Sabbath bandmates, Metallica's James Hetfield, punk singer Yungblud and Sir Elton John. Rock icon Marilyn Manson flew in from the US to attend, alongside Ozzy's guitarist Zakk Wylde and Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor. The family friend said: 'Everyone at the service just wanted to support Sharon and the kids, it has been an awful time. 'Toasts were raised, memories were shared - it was a very fitting goodbye. 'Ozzy wanted his final place of rest to be at home and he is buried at a beautiful point on the lake. 'As well as the 'Ozzy f***ing Osbourne' wreath, which made people smile, there was another floral tribute which spelt out 'Ozzy' that was placed by the fountain on the lake. 'There was a stage where people including Yungblud, who grew very close to Ozzy in recent years, were set to pay tribute to him. 'The day was incredibly emotional. Pictures of Ozzy were dotted throughout the house and a photograph of him was given to everyone who attended to take home with them.' Guests were sent a simple black invitation featuring a cross and the words: 'In loving memory of Ozzy Osbourne.' The road leading to the couple's Buckinghamshire home near Gerrards Cross was closed from 1pm. Mourners were transported from The Crowne Plaza and The Bull in Gerrards Cross to the house at 2pm, with the service starting at 3pm. The day before, thousands of fans gathered in the streets of Birmingham to pay tribute to Ozzy.


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The Sun
13 minutes ago
- The Sun
Ozzy Osbourne ‘buried near bat boxes' put in trees on Bucks estate for the animals to thrive
OZZY Osbourne has been buried near bat boxes and a family friend said it feels "like Ozzy had the last laugh'. The Black Sabbath legend, who died on July 22 at the age of 76, was laid to rest next to the lake in his Buckinghamshire home on Thursday. 8 8 8 A family friend told the Mirror: 'This was like a classic Ozzy move. The man loved humour and this sure would have tickled him pink knowing how close friends reacted to this bat situation. 'After all those decades caught up in this drama around bats and animal rights groups, here at his final resting place there are bespoke bat boxes to help encourage the animals thrive in the UK countryside. "It has prompted quite a few laughs and funny reactions. It is just like Ozzy had the last laugh.' One of the most controversial moments of the heavy metal singer's career came in January 1982, when he famously bit the head off a bat on stage. Something small and black landed near him on stage during a show at Des Moines' Veterans Memorial Auditorium. Believing it was a rubber toy, Ozzy picked it up and bit into it. In his 2010 autobiography I Am Ozzy, he wrote: "Somebody threw a bat. I just thought it was a rubber bat. And I picked it up and put it in my mouth. I bit into it. Immediately, he continued, "something felt wrong. Very wrong". Ozzy said he deeply regretted the incident as he had to have daily rabies shots for months. It remains unclear whether the bat was alive or dead - in a 2006 interview with the BBC, Ozzy described it as a 'dead real bat'. Tearful Sharon Osbourne reads fans' touching tributes to beloved husband Ozzy as she joins family at funeral procession Buckinghamshire - home to many brown long-eared and pipistrelle bats - has recently taken steps to improve bat conservation. On Thursday, an "incredibly emotional" funeral service was held for the rocker, a family friend told The Sun. Tents were erected on the 250-acre grounds of the house Ozzy and Sharon bought in 1993, along with a stage where tributes were paid to the rocker. The home was decorated with pictures of Ozzy, and mourners were given a photograph of him to take home. 8 8 8 8 110 of the singer's nearest and dearest attended, joining his wife Sharon and his children Jack, 39, Kelly, 40, Aimee, 41, and Louis, 50, his son from his first marriage to Thelma Riley. Stars at the service included Ozzy's Black Sabbath bandmates, Metallica's James Hetfield, punk singer Yungblud and Sir Elton John. Rock icon Marilyn Manson flew in from the US to attend, alongside Ozzy's guitarist Zakk Wylde and Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor. The family friend said: 'Everyone at the service just wanted to support Sharon and the kids, it has been an awful time. 'Toasts were raised, memories were shared - it was a very fitting goodbye. 'Ozzy wanted his final place of rest to be at home and he is buried at a beautiful point on the lake. 'As well as the 'Ozzy f***ing Osbourne' wreath, which made people smile, there was another floral tribute which spelt out 'Ozzy' that was placed by the fountain on the lake. 'There was a stage where people including Yungblud, who grew very close to Ozzy in recent years, were set to pay tribute to him. 'The day was incredibly emotional. Pictures of Ozzy were dotted throughout the house and a photograph of him was given to everyone who attended to take home with them.' Guests were sent a simple black invitation featuring a cross and the words: 'In loving memory of Ozzy Osbourne.' The road leading to the couple's Buckinghamshire home near Gerrards Cross was closed from 1pm. Mourners were transported from The Crowne Plaza and The Bull in Gerrards Cross to the house at 2pm, with the service starting at 3pm. The day before, thousands of fans gathered in the streets of Birmingham to pay tribute to Ozzy. 8