First published 2009
Ozzy opens his story with the darkness that shaped him, moving through the moments that defined his journey from Birmingham to rock stardom. He takes readers inside the creation of "Crazy Train," the madness behind "Bark at the Moon," and the personal demons that fueled "Mr. Crowley." Each chapter centers on a different song, revealing the man behind the music through tales of excess, creativity, and survival. Ozzy confronts his battles with addiction, his relationships with bandmates, and the price of fame as he traces his path through hits like "Flying High Again" and "No More Tears." The narrative weaves between his solo career and his time with Black Sabbath, showing how each song emerged from specific moments of triumph and despair. At its core, this is a story about transformation, about how a working-class kid channeled his pain and rebellion into music that would define heavy metal forever.
Genres: biography, addiction, 20th-century, autobiography, music, 21st-century, musicians
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: rags-to-riches, redemption-arc
Setting: Birmingham
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
94 pages · Kindle Edition · Hal Leonard
Content warnings: addiction, substance-abuse