Ozzy Osbourne’s declining health prevented him from touring during the last years of his life, yet a newly released documentary reveals that he maintained his signature sense of humor until the very end.
The final years of the iconic musician’s life are explored in the documentary Ozzy: No Escape From Now, debuting on Tuesday, October 7. This film chronicles Osbourne, who passed away at age 76 in July, as he recovers from multiple surgeries and prepares for his final performance in his hometown of Birmingham, England.
While the documentary bravely captures Osbourne’s more somber moments, the former frontman of Black Sabbath was still able to share laughs, even when expressing the sadness of not being able to perform as he used to.
“That’s the reality of aging,” he jokes. “I once took pills for fun. Now it’s all about survival.”
Continue reading to discover the most significant insights from the documentary:
Ozzy’s Health Complications Following a Mismanaged Neck Operation
In 2019, Osbourne suffered a serious fall that resulted in a broken neck, requiring surgery where doctors inserted metal plates and screws. However, his family observed that this procedure did not enhance his life quality, but rather contributed to further decline.
“I watched my dad go from being able to sit up to — and I hate to say it — having a posture akin to Gollum,” remarked his daughter Kelly Osbourne.
Kelly’s sister Aimee Osbourne added, “He was in considerable pain and seemed to be mourning, in shock, and struggling with the aftermath of that fall and then unable to recover as he had before, which ultimately led to canceling the tour — that really broke his heart.”
Ozzy’s wife, Sharon Osbourne, shared that her husband, who had gotten sober again before passing, was in pain worse than she had ever witnessed. “The discomfort never diminished,” she recalled. “It was constant and unbearable. And while Ozzy enjoys some theatrics, this was genuine. You can see it in someone’s eyes.”
How Music Uplifted Ozzy’s Spirits — to a Certain Extent
Post-surgery in 2019, Kelly motivated her father to return to recording, leading to what became his 12th solo album, Ordinary Man. Ozzy stated that getting back into the studio helped him lift the melancholia, while his son Jack Osbourne observed that the music from this timeframe vividly portrays the struggles he was facing.
“I believe Ordinary Man is more of a John Osbourne album than an Ozzy Osbourne album,” Jack explained, referencing his father’s real name. “The themes largely revolve around him processing his life, mortality, and challenges, straying away from the iconic craziness like biting heads off bats. It was more reflective of his state at that time.”
A Pivotal Moment: Ozzy Contemplated Suicide After His 2021 Surgery
In 2021, Ozzy underwent another procedure to address complications from the 2019 operation, which had been deemed overly aggressive. Despite expectations for improvement, he still had to delay and eventually call off his farewell tour, which plunged him into a profound depression — to the extent that he contemplated ending his life.
“The realization of never performing again deeply depressed me,” he shared. “I’m on antidepressants now, indeed. There were moments when I thought about taking my own life, but then that inner voice checks me and says, ‘What on earth are you thinking?’ Knowing my luck, I’d likely botch the attempt and land in a half-dead state anyway.”
Kelly also noted her father’s pain, saying, “He wouldn’t draw, wouldn’t shoot his gun, nothing. He was utterly miserable, feeling trapped in his own situation and desperately seeking an exit from it all.”
Ozzy’s Reflections on Being Fired from Black Sabbath
<pDespite being dismissed from Black Sabbath in 1979 in favor of Ronnie James Dio, Ozzy reunited with them several times, including for what turned out to be his final concert. In the documentary, his family notes that he still harbors feelings about the firing, with Sharon sharing that she often finds him watching old Dio interviews interspersed with historical documentaries.
“My dad remains deeply impacted by being ousted from Black Sabbath. He will never truly move past that,” Kelly reveals in the film. “It wounded him profoundly and is difficult to articulate. Those were the people he considered family, his brothers.”
Jack concurs, adding, “It was a monumental blow for him. Just after losing his dad, he was unceremoniously replaced in the band, leading him to feel he had little left to fight for. It dramatically influenced the way he approached life thereafter.”
Ozzy Endured Social Anxiety
Recognized as one of history’s most celebrated rock musicians, Ozzy, in the documentary, admits there are facets of fame he finds troubling. “If something’s on my mind, it deeply disturbs me,” he shares. “I dread public speaking commitments.”
Kelly highlights a striking contradiction — her father is at ease performing to thousands but struggles with personal interactions. “You’d assume someone who can captivate massive crowds should be confident in any setting — yet that’s far from true,” she states. “He experiences social anxiety that’s overwhelming. My dad’s insecurities are something most people cannot comprehend.”
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Plans for a Peaceful Retirement with Sharon
Following Ozzy’s last performance, he and Sharon were looking forward to enjoying their golden years in a serene home in England, as they both expressed desires to feel “free” after the Back to the Beginning concert.
“July 5, that’s the end. Just bow and return home,” Sharon expressed. “I wish to have a simple life. That’s all I want — to find a cozy space and live it out with Ozzy, doing the things we love.”
Ozzy: No Escape From Now will be available on Paramount+ starting Tuesday, October 7.
