Why was Ozzy Osbourne fired from Black Sabbath? Controversy revisited

Ozzy Osbourne, who is also known as "The Prince of Darkness," was fired from Black Sabbath in 1979. The reason behind this dismissal was due to Osbourne's problems with drug and alcohol use. His alcohol problems led him to miss gigs and arrive late during rehearsals.

Terry "Geezer" Butler, the lyricist and bassist of Black Sabbath, wrote in his memoir, Into the Void. He wrote:

"We knew we didn't really have a choice but to sack him because he was just so out of control. But we were all very down about the situation."

However, this was not the first time he had exhibited problematic behavior when intoxicated. Once, after a long drinking binge, Ozzy fired all of his band members and even assaulted Randy Rhoads and Rudy Sarzo in a hotel. However, the metal singer had no memory of firing his bandmates, and the tour carried on.

What happened after Ozzy Osbourne was fired from Black Sabbath?

After Ozzy Osbourne was fired from Black Sabbath in 1979, he did not deter from making music. But before that, he locked himself in his hotel room for three months, continuously engaging in drugs, alcohol, and tobacco every day. Osbourne later revealed that if Sharon Osbourne had not stepped in at the time to manage him as a solo artist, he wouldn't have been alive.

After getting his act together, he started a solo career and was managed by his wife, Sharon Osbourne. He had a successful career as a solo artist and was joined by bassist Bob Daisley, guitarist Randy Rhoads, and drummer Lee Kerslake. He released a total of 11 albums before he rejoined Black Sabbath in 1997.

In 1980, Osbourne released his first solo album, Blizzard of Ozz. It performed exceptionally well, earning the number 7 spot on the UK Albums Chart, number 8 on the Canadian Albums Chart, and number 21 on the US Billboard 200.

In the 2011 documentary, God Bless Ozzy Osbourne, he said:

"Looking back, I should have died a thousand times but never did... By 12 o'clock in the old days I'd have powder up my nose, f**king sh*t in my veins, all kinds of stuff."

While his wife Sharon was at his side, it was not always easy for her. During an interview in 2011 with CNN, she revealed:

"It was damn pretty scary... You're in a house, no neighbors each side, the kids asleep, you know you're on your own, what the hell do you do?"

Osbourne's departure from Black Sabbath marked a dark turn, but also paved the way for an incredible comeback in music.

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Ozzy Osbourne's downward spiral due to drugs, alcohol, and other substances led to Black Sabbath's firing him. However, in 1997, the band reunited again. Osbourne played his last concert in the UK in July 2025 before he passed.

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