Osbourne is spotlight in new Biography episode

Ozzy Osbourne is the epitome of a rock star with his legendary rebellious shenanigans. One wonders how the Black Sabbath frontman and solo artist has survived a storied past that seems too unreal to be true. All of the stories — from being thrown out of CBS for biting the head off of a dove to getting rabies shots after mistakingly biting the head off of a live bat on stage — are true, and Osbourne, family and friends help tell these stories and more in a new A&E event, Biography: The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne.

The two-hour documentary explores how the Prince of Darkness has continually reinvented himself and his career to propel himself toward greater success. As Osbourne turns 70, he reflects on the intimate details of his successes, failures, and his unique ability for survival and perseverance – including never-before-seen interviews about his recent Parkinson’s diagnosis. The documentary, a selection of the 2020 SXSW Film Festival, also features interviews with Sharon, Kelly and Jack Osbourne as well as friends and fellow musicians including Rick Rubin, Ice-T, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, Korn’s Jonathan Davis, Post Malone and more.

The bio opens with Osbourne watching archival clips on a giant screen in what appears to be his home theater. The story tells the origins of Osbourne’s life from growing up in poverty to becoming a household name as the world’s first reality TV family with The Osbornes on MTV. Throughout much of his life, Osbourne suffered from substance abuse that cost him his band at one point.

“My [first] wife wants a divorce. My father died and my band kicked me out. That was one of the lowest points in my life. But my life was about to change,” Osbourne states as his abuse worsened and Sharon began to transform him into a massive star.

His abuse led to a near fatal experience for Sharon, whom he tried to strangle after blacking out. He woke up in jail where he was lectured by police before being released. Sharon dropped all charges and Osbourne went to rehab.

The doc is full of emotion as the family deals with Sharon’s battle with colon cancer, which she overcomes.

“I owe my life to Sharon. The thought of losing her was just unbearable. When the chemo was over, Sharon’s cancer was gone,” Osbourne states.

In 2003, while Sharon battled cancer, Osbourne nearly died following an ATV accident in England in which he broke his collarbone, several ribs and a neck vertebra. He spent eight days in a coma in England while Sharon received cancer treatments in LA. When Sharon was discharged, she flew to England to be by her husband’s side which she described was “brutal.”

No details are spared in this rock and roll odyssey. The film shows a side of Osbourne that few, if anyone, have seen. He and his family lift the curtain for a behind-the-scenes look into the life of one of rock and roll’s most notorious guys who doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

“You know the time when I will retire? When I can hear them nail a lid on my box. Then I’ll fucking do an encore. I’m the Prince of Darkness.”

Biography: The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne premieres Labor Day, Monday, September 7th at 9 pm ET/PT on A&E.