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A former English prof called it useless cocktail party trivia...
Published: 1/17/2008 11:37 AM
Last Modified: 1/17/2008 11:37 AM

Ozzy Osbourne

... And maybe he was right. But any list of facts on a famous personality is also a fun read.

According to the Associated Press roundup of the most memorable entertainment events that happened this week in history ...

This week in 1982, singer Ozzy Osbourne bit the head off a live bat during a concert in Des Moines, Iowa.

So, this got me to thinking. I figured I'd do a little roundup of other memorable (or not), important (or not) but definitely random Ozzy facts:

-- So, apparently, the Godfather of Heavy Metal also plays the harmonica and synthesizer. Don't spit your Rockstar energy drink. I know it's shocking.

-- In 2007, the Great Ozz had a penchant for shows with kitschy exclamation points in the names: He appeared on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" three times ... once on "Friday Night Smackdown!" and even at the "Happy Birthday Elton!" celebration from Madison Square Garden, New York. (!)

-- In 1984, a 19-year-old man shot himself in the head while listening to Osbourne's "Suicide Solution." Rumor has it that the song was written about his friend Bon Scott of AC/DC. Scott died from hypothermia after drinking heavily one winter night and passing out in his car. ("solution" meaning "mixture")

-- Also in the 1980s, a scientific research company was hired to evaluate his music after a lawsuit claimed his songs contained "hemisync" tones, which could subliminally influence people to commit suicide or even murder. Amazingly, the company supposedly discovered that the claim was indeed correct -- at least in part. They uncovered the hidden, half-speed, muted lyrics, "Why try? Why try? Get the gun and try it. Shoot, Shoot, Shoot." Osbourne said the sounds were random ones created from playing with the soundboard during recording. In an all such lawsuits, Ozzy was found not at fault.

-- Also in the 80s, he was arrested in Memphis, Tenn., for public intoxication -- he was found staggering drunk down Beale Street. Drunk on Beale Street! You better sit down that energy drink before you spew again. ...

-- In 2002, the Madman of Metal was invited to a White House ball by none other than President George W. Bush.

-- In 2004, Country Cow Creamery in New Jersey created custom ice cream flavors in he and his wife's honor, including the chocolate-laden "Death by Sharon," and "Ozzy," with spicy carrot cake and a touch of liqueur. I'd write some joke here about Ozzy being licked, but ...

-- In 2002, the pioneer of rock was immortalized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, right in front of the Ripley's Believe It or Not? Museum.

-- In 2004, stolen gold and silver records won by Osbourne's band Black Sabbath were recovered after thieves dumped them behind trash cans in southeast England.

-- In December 2007, rabid Ozzy fans bid against sophisticated fine art buyers for a coat with embroidered bats, sneakers with skulls on them and other items put up for Julien's Auctions to raise some $400,000 for the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program.

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Oklahoma Rock (5 years ago)

Also, there's this:

In 1982, perpetual stoner Ozzy Osbourne was busted in San Antonio for urinating on the Cenotaph in front of the Alamo (and was promptly banned from the city for 20 years). Some time later, he was asked why, at the time of his arrest, he had been wearing one of his wife Sharon's dresses.

"Ha!" he replied. "The only way my wife could stop me from disappearing for a week was to take my clothes. I'd end up wearing hers. I'd be delivered back to our apartment in a drunken heap, all f---ed up, and she'd be pissed off because I'd puked down the front of her dress."

jennifer chancellor (5 years ago)

For sure!! I hesitated to include that tidbit, so I am definitely glad that you added it for me. I had forgotten the detail about the dress. So, thanks!

:)

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Barrelhouse Beat

Barrelhouse: A colloquialism describing the low saloons at the turn of the century (19th) that served whiskey straight out of the barrel. It's also a reference to the type of music played in those venues. Ex: Barrelhouse music.

Beat: The time or timing. Ex: The band played with a solid beat. Also used as a term describing a reporters specific area of expertise. Ex: The music beat.

About me: I'm Okie born and raised, and have lived all over the state: Oklahoma City, Enid, Moore, Norman, Edmond and Tulsa. I am a music geek, writer, graphic designer and amateur photographer and videographer who's followed the Tulsa and regional music scene since I moved to Green Country more than 10 years ago. I've been enmeshed in Tulsa's varied and vibrant musical night life, what some of us affectionately call a modernized throwback to the Barrelhouse scene, since that time. I fell in love with it. I fell hard.

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Archive

Past Articles By Jennifer Chancellor

2/17/2013		Tulsan Johnny Polygon a rapper who delights in hometown crowd
2/15/2013		The Who brings nostalgia, ingenuity to BOK Center
2/15/2013		Lady Gaga tour is canceled
2/15/2013		Audio Adrenaline concert moves to April 7
2/14/2013		The Who brings 'other' rock opera to Tulsa's BOK Center
2/14/2013		Okies nominated for several top ACM awards
2/14/2013		Epic moments of rock 'n' roll history in Tulsa
2/14/2013		The Who talks about 'Quadrophenia' rock opera ahead of BOK show Thursday
2/14/2013		Shawnee songstress Samantha Crain to play Tulsa CD release show Friday
2/14/2013		Rick Springfield to play River Spirit Event Center on Saturday
2/14/2013		Local music roundup: Vaudvillian sideshows? Nerd nights? Live music? Parties? Yes, yes, yes and yes.
2/14/2013		Eli Young band coming to Brady Theater for first time

Jennifer Chancellor's Blog Archive:

2/2013	1/2013	12/2012	11/2012	10/2012	9/2012
8/2012	7/2012	6/2012	5/2012	4/2012	3/2012
2/2012	1/2012	12/2011	11/2011	10/2011	9/2011
8/2011	7/2011	6/2011	5/2011	4/2011	3/2011
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2/2010	1/2010	12/2009	11/2009	10/2009	9/2009
8/2009	7/2009	6/2009	5/2009	4/2009	3/2009
2/2009	1/2009	12/2008	11/2008	10/2008	9/2008
8/2008	7/2008	6/2008	5/2008	4/2008	3/2008
2/2008	1/2008	12/2007	11/2007	10/2007	9/2007

Jennifer Chancellor
BarrelhouseBeat

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