Why didn't Jack Osbourne meet Don Arden as a kid? Ozzy and Sharon's son recalls growing up estranged from the infamous music manager

Jack Osbourne is peeling back one of the darkest chapters in his family's rock-and-roll saga. On I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, the reality star revealed that the explosive rift between his mother, Sharon, and her father, Don Arden, was so severe that he believed growing up that his grandfather was dead.

In the Nov. 28 episode of the show, the 40-year-old personality dished on his memories of his grandpa, the reason for the decades-long conflict between the talent agent and Sharon, as well as how Ozzy's Black Sabbath career was involved in the falling-out.

Kelly Brook, one of the show's hosts, asked Jack Osbourne if Don Arden, Ozzy and Black Sabbath's former music manager, used to threaten people, to which Jack confirmed:

"He pulled guns on people, everything."

Jack Osbourne also claimed that the famous businessman "sent hitmen" after his parents, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, which took place after his mother took control of managing the rock icon's solo career following his departure from Black Sabbath in the '70s.

"Mobsters would show up with guns at gigs."

The reality star added that Sharon's estrangement from her father was so intense that she once told him his grandfather "was dead," and he only got to meet him when he turned 17.

READ ALSO: Why was Sharon Osbourne fired from The Talk? Ozzy Osbourne's memoir reportedly recalls 2021 heated Sheryl Underwood conversation

Jack Osbourne reveals his mother Sharon was her father's "protégé": "He taught her everything"

In her previous The Guardian interview, Sharon reconciled with her father after he developed Alzheimer's disease. Don Arden died in 2007 at age 81.

At the time, Sharon and Ozzy's eldest daughter, Aimee, believed there was no point building a connection with someone whose life was nearing its end. Despite this, their two other children, Kelly and Jack, were curious about their grandfather's life and career.

"They were interested, especially Jack, because he had read all the books on my dad and was terribly interested in all the artists my dad used to manage. And Kelly just likes all the gossip; to be able to give her version of what he was like, if ever she was asked."

Throughout his career, Don Arden managed powerhouse names: Black Sabbath, Electric Light Orchestra, Little Richard, Small Faces, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Gene Vincent. Due to his reputation, known for having an aggressive approach in business, Arden was called the "Al Capone of pop."

Sharon, according to Jack Osbourne on the newest episode of the show, was Arden's "protégé." He revealed to his fellow hosts:

Trending

"He taught her everything and he did all sorts of screwed-up things. Had my mum sign all these documents and everything was in her name so he would never get in trouble."

READ ALSO: Who is Sharon Osbourne? All about Ozzy’s wife as Black Sabbath frontman dies after struggles with Parkinson's

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback