Ozzy Osbourne's Final Bow: Embracing Death with Grace and Music
The Final Curtain Call: Ozzy Osbourne's Bittersweet Farewell
In a heart-wrenching preview, a new documentary on the life of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne has revealed that he accepted his impending death with a sense of calm and gratitude just months before his passing at 76. The BAFTA-award-winning film "Ozzy: No Escape from Now," directed by Tania Alexander, is set to hit Paramount+ on October 7, offering an intimate look at the singer's final years.
The documentary, produced in collaboration with Ozzy's family, features a candid conversation between the Prince of Darkness and his loved ones about his life-changing fall in February 2019. The incident forced him to cancel his farewell tour, leaving fans heartbroken. However, as revealed in the sneak peek, Ozzy took the setback in stride, saying, "If my life's coming to an end, I really can't complain. I had a great life."
The film delves into the devastating impact of Ozzy's Parkinson's diagnosis and his subsequent health issues, including chronic pain that left him struggling with depression. Sharon Osbourne opens up about the darkest moments in their relationship, saying, "At that time, the depression was so bad. [He'd] be like what's the point in even getting up? I'm not getting up. I'm not working with the physiotherapist. What's the point?"
However, Ozzy credits his collaboration with Post Malone on "Take What You Want" (2019) as a turning point in his career and personal life. He reveals that recording the track helped him cope with his blues, saying, "It got me out of the blues. It helped me. That was the best medicine I ever had at that point."
Fans will also get an inside look at Ozzy's studio sessions for his 2020 album "Ordinary Man" and 2022's Grammy-winning "Patient Number 9." Son Jack Osbourne shares insightful thoughts on his father's music, stating, "I do think that Ordinary Man is less an Ozzy Osbourne album and more a John Osbourne album. There's a lot of themes in it [where he is] processing his own life and mortality and what he's facing."
The documentary also features heartwarming footage of Ozzy at home with his family, as well as exclusive access to his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2024) and soundcheck for his performance at Villa Park in Birmingham (July 5, 2023). The film is a testament to Ozzy's resilience, wit, determination, and talent – qualities that have made him a hero to millions worldwide.
Contributors include Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath), Duff McKagan and Slash (Guns N' Roses), Robert Trujillo and James Hetfield (Metallica), Billy Idol, Maynard James Keenan (Tool), and Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers). Ozzy's long-standing guitarist Zakk Wylde, producer Andrew Watt, Billy Morrison, Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), Mike Inez (Alice In Chains), and Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) also share intimate, heartfelt perspectives on the man himself.
As we bid farewell to one of rock's greatest legends, "Ozzy: No Escape from Now" serves as a poignant reminder of his incredible life, love, and music. The documentary is set to air on October 7 on Paramount+, offering fans an unforgettable glimpse into the final chapter of Ozzy Osbourne's remarkable journey.
The Family Speaks Out
In a recent statement, Ozzy's family shared their gratitude for the outpouring of support following his passing. Sharon and their children, Aimee, Kelly, and Jack, were joined by stars including Marilyn Manson and Ozzy's lead guitarist Zakk Wylde during a private funeral at their Buckinghamshire mansion.
Official documents revealed that Ozzy passed away on July 22 due to an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and Parkinson's disease with autonomic dysfunction. The news sparked an intense media frenzy, with various outlets scrambling to produce documentaries about the late rocker.
A Tale of Two Documentaries
The BBC had been working on a documentary called "Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home" but was forced to pull it from schedules due to concerns raised by Ozzy's family. The show was allegedly rushed into production, with some insiders suggesting that the BBC and Paramount+ were in a "race" to air unseen footage.
A source close to the situation told The Scholarly Note: "There have been conversations behind the scenes that maybe the BBC were rushing their show on Ozzy out – especially because Paramount+ also had a film in the offing. What mattered the most to the family was the overall tone and theme of the programme, which features Ozzy and Sharon in one of their last interviews together."
The documentary was originally set to be a ten-part series called "Home To Roost" but was later condensed into a single feature-length film after Ozzy's passing.