The Prince of Darkness, who bestowed Des Moines, Iowa, with one of the most memorable concerts in music history, died on July 22.
With Ozzy Osbourne as lead vocalist, Black Sabbath sank its teeth into the rock ‘n’ roll industry only to spit out an emerging subgenre known as heavy metal, which would mark the ’70s and live on to this day.
The ominous, gargling voice in “Iron Man” or his throat-scratching scream in “Crazy Train” echoed in concert venues throughout Osbourne’s 50-plus-year career. This was even true just weeks before his death, during what would be his final concert in his hometown of Birmingham, England.
How did Ozzy Osbourne die?
Osbourne’s cause of death has not been released yet. According to reports from The Guardian and BBC, a family statement said he died, “surrounded by love” on the morning of Tuesday, July 22. The singer had received treatment for a form of Parkinson’s disease, known as Parkin’s II
“It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy has passed away this morning,” the statement read. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
How old was Ozzy Osbourne?
Osbourne was 76 years old when he died.
When did Ozzy Osbourne infamously bite off the head of a bat?
Osbourne’s “Diary of a Madman Tour” handbill wasn’t lying when it warned attendees to come on an empty stomach. “Eating before concert is not recommended,” the post said in capital letters with a young Osbourne dressed in a cap and devil horns as the backdrop.
When Osbourne came to Des Moines on Jan. 20, 1982, he gave the city a show that would stain the rest of his career as a showman in heavy metal theatrics. Already facing allegations of satanism, Osbourne decided to lean into the brand, although he never believed the rumors.
At the time, the Des Moines Police Department warned him that they would throw him in jail if he harmed any animals during his show. The heavy metal legend had used his teeth to decapitate a dove in Los Angeles. On the same tour, Osbourne even rigged a catapult to launch raw meat into the audience.
So who’s to blame 17-year-old Mark Neal for seizing the moment when he found a bat outside of a Des Moines elementary school? After keeping the bat in a freezer up until the show, Neal tossed the corpse onto the Veterans Memorial Auditorium stage. It first landed in front of bassist Rudy Sarzo, who then motioned to Osbourne.
The then-33-year-old vocalist picked up what he thought was a fake bat, and chomped down on its neck, decapitating the creature, only to instantly feel a “warm, goopy liquid” in his mouth. Neal contested the bat was dead. Osbourne swears he felt the head twitch in his mouth.
Following the show, Osbourne went to Mercy Hospital Medical Center and was eventually referred to Broadlawns Medical Center for rabies vaccines. He was also given a tetanus shot and had to take rabies shots to-go to complete the series, according to an article published in the Des Moines Register after the incident. For three weeks of his tour, Osbourne had to take the rabies shots.
How many kids did Ozzy Osbourne have?
Osbourne had six children from two marriages. He had two children, Jessica, 53, and Louis, who is in his mid-40s, with his first wife Thelma Riley. Osbourne also adopted a third child, Elliot, from Riley’s previous relationship, according to USA TODAY.
During Osbourne’s second marriage to Sharon Arden (now Osbourne), they had three children: Aimee, 41, Kelly, 40, and Jack, 39.
Where does Ozzy Osbourne’s daughter live?
Osbourne’s bat incident isn’t the only tie Iowa has to the rock legend. His daughter, Kelly Osbourne, has a house in Indianola, Iowa.
Kelly Osbourne shares the house with her fiance, Slipknot’s Sid Wilson. The two recently announced their engagement and confirmed they were living in Iowa together in 2024. Ozzy Osbourne interrupted Wilson even before he could get the question out saying, “F— off, you’re not marrying my daughter.”
Wilson turned back to show Ozzy Osbourne the ring, and the whole group clapped, including the protective father.
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Ozzy Osbourne, who shocked Iowans by biting the head off a bat at 1982 concert, dies at 76
Reporting by Kate Kealey and Melissa Ruggieri, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
