2025 – R.I.P. Ozzy Osbourne
I photographed Ozzy lots of times and I’ve been trying to figure out how I want to pay proper tribute. Then I realized most of my favorite Ozzy shots are already on my site, but rather than send out a link to that – which few would bother clicking – I’m just gonna steal from myself and put my faves here.
Besides the photo, the site’s image SKU number and the story behind each pic is already included, so this’ll be easy.
Ready?
On August 27, 1978, Ozzy’s Black Sabbath headlined over new band Van Halen at Madison Square Garden:
I shot this from record company seats.
On May 2, 1981, Ozzy’s Blizzard of Ozz headlined at NYC’s Palladium (Motorhead was the opener):
Ozzy played The Ritz in Manhattan on September 26 and 27, 1982. This was taken on the 27th:
This show was recorded for his “Speak of the Devil” album.
On May 29, 1983, Ozzy played the Us Festival in California (at 3 days-long, it was the biggest show I ever shot):
On January 22, 1984, Ozzy headlined at the Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, NJ over Motley Crue and Waysted:
On January 30, 1984, Ozzy headlined over the Crue once again, this time at Madison Square Garden:
After the show, these next two pictures were taken at a fun party at the Limelight:
On January 23, 1986, Ozzy and Sharon showed up at ATI Studios in Manhattan, but I don’t recall what they did there (and neither does AI! All that my notes say is “TV taping”)………but whatever it was, I got a couple of cool shots out of the deal:
On April 21, 1986, there was a great double bill in East Rutherford, NJ: Ozzy and Metallica!
Seven days later, the two bands did it again at the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, NY:
On December 15, 1987, we were introduced to Ozzy’s new guitarist – Zakk Wylde – at the Hard Rock Café in Manhattan:
December 5, 1988 found Ozzy at Nassau Coliseum and me taking this picture, which became the front cover of the June 1989 issue of Guitar World magazine:
I got two more goodies at that show:
Finally, we finish up on June 25, 1989 back in the Meadowlands at my last Ozzy shoot. He did me the honor of looking right at me while he dumped a bucket of water on his head. Good timing on both our parts!
Thanks, Ozzy…………It’s been a real blast!
Great shots, as usual! Thanks
Nice pics! I worked with Ozzy in the 90s when he was working on Ozzmosis.
He was quite a character!
Great shots. Thanks for sharing!
Great Pics! Interesting story about Zakk Wylde too.
💗