Ozzy Osbourne
I Am Ozzy
Reviewed By Simon Milburn
Published 28 July, 2010
Link:
Official Website
A fun and interesting ride from start to end!
I have to admit that I’m not a book worm but I have managed to work my way through a number of books in my time – some good, some not so good. When I heard that metal legend Ozzy Osbourne had a book out, even if you only know a couple of things about the man’s past – the dove incident, the bat, or have only seen him on MTV’s The Osbournes, you know that whatever comes out in a bio is going to be one hell of a fun read. The result is I Am Ozzy and it’s a ripper!
The story begins with his days in Birmingham, England as a youngster just wanting to get a band going. The story covers how he met guitar icon Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward and how the mighty Black Sabbath came to be. From there, no stone is left unturned as Oz unloads every aspect of his career to the best of his ability including his sacking from Sabbath and beginning of his solo career, the tragic loss of guitar legend Randy Rhoads, recruiting Zakk Wylde, staring on MTV, and reforming Black Sabbath and many, many more twists and turns along the way.
It’s an honest insight into Ozzy and his antics. Every excess he has indulged in is included, every silly thing he’s done – consciously or under the influence of a cocktail of anything he can ingest – making this an enjoyable read, because you truly do not know what he will talk about next. His honesty is blunt, sometimes crude but always pure. As well as his brutal honesty being a constant throughout the book, Ozzy’s love and devotion to his wife Sharon is also plainly obvious. You can’t read this book without getting that feeling.
Apart from a couple of editorial cock ups – seriously, how does Tony Ionni get through to print – overall, I Am Ozzy is clearly a “must read” book for die hard fans. Even if you’re not a huge fan but you are a passionate metal head, then there’s still plenty in here to get a good ol’ chuckle out of … and perhaps learn something along the way too.
(Hachette)
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