Ozzy Announces ‘Last Rites’ Memoir

Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary heavy metal icon known as “The Prince of Darkness,” is gearing up for the release of his second and final memoir, titled *Last Rites*. This eagerly anticipated book is scheduled for publication on October 7, 2025, through Grand Central Publishing. The memoir promises to deliver an unfiltered and deeply personal journey through Osbourne's life, capturing the highs and lows of his illustrious career in the music industry, along with intimate reflections on his recent battles with health issues.

The memoir is set against the backdrop of Osbourne’s retirement from live performances, marked by his final concert with Black Sabbath. The “Back to the Beginning” event in Birmingham, England, drew an astonishing turnout, both in person and online. Over 40,000 fans attended the concert, while more than five million tuned in through a live stream, raising nearly $200 million for charities like Cure Parkinson's and Birmingham Children's Hospital. This event was significant not only for its philanthropic impact but also as a capstone celebration of Osbourne's contributions to music over the decades.

*Last Rites* delves into the past seven years of Osbourne’s life, a period defined by his resilience in the face of adversity. Following his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease and severe spinal surgery, Osbourne has contended with battles that forced him to step back from the public eye and cancel tours. However, the memoir is not merely a chronicle of these struggles; it is laden with anecdotes recounting encounters with legendary personalities such as Slash, Bon Scott, Lemmy Kilmister, and Keith Moon. These stories serve to paint a vibrant picture of Osbourne's life interwoven with the who’s who of rock and roll notoriety.

Osbourne’s marriage to Sharon Osbourne, a constant in his life through tumultuous times, is also explored in the memoir. The relationship has been as public and fiery as his rock persona, often scrutinized due to its ups and downs, including instances of infidelity and personal struggles. Despite these challenges, Sharon remains integral to both his personal and professional worlds, managing his career and stabilizing his personal life through thick and thin.

In a candid statement within the memoir, Osbourne reflects on his life choices, accepting both the good and the bad as intrinsic aspects of his identity. “If I'd done normal, sensible things, I wouldn't be Ozzy,” he mentions, emphasizing his iconic, if at times turbulent, path paved through audacity and excess. This perspective underscores a recurring theme of living life to the fullest, embracing the chaos that has accompanied his career and public persona.

Moreover, *Last Rites* addresses themes of legacy and reflection, significant as Osbourne steps back from the limelight. He shares not just his triumphs but also vulnerabilities, offering an authentic glimpse into a life that has defied expectations. The memoir’s raw storytelling, coupled with Osbourne’s signature humor, encapsulates the spirit of a man who has become a cultural icon and a folk hero in his own right.

The final performance and the memoir together encapsulate a pivotal phase in Osbourne’s journey, resonating with fans worldwide who have followed his music since his early days with Black Sabbath. This farewell not only marks the end of an era in rock history but also opens a new chapter in which Osbourne can reflect on his profound influence and enduring legacy in music culture.

In summary, Ozzy Osbourne’s *Last Rites* stands as a testament to a remarkable career and life, offering fans a chance to understand the revered rock star beyond the stage lights. For those who have journeyed with Ozzy from the onset of Black Sabbath, this memoir is both a celebratory and poignant recollection of his life’s orchestration filled with poignant harmonies and striking discords, making it a must-read for admirers and scholars of rock history alike.