Ozzy’s Back Pages - Pollstar News

Sometimes you can judge a book by its title. “I Am Ozzy” is Ozzy Osbourne’s autobiography, a mighty tome covering all the misadventures that made the self-proclaimed “Prince of Darkness” the man he is today.

Photo: AP Photo

25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert, Madison Square Garden, NYC

From a childhood so humble and poor that his entire family slept in one room, to Black Sabbath to his solo career to Ozzfest, Osbourne gives you the complete bat-chomping, Alamo-pissing skinny on what it takes to be him. It’s rock ‘n’ roll, booze and drugs wrapped up in a lifestyle so hedonistic that at times it seemed as if Osbourne was aiming to make Guinness’ world record rankings as the worldwide king of debauchery.

But more importantly, “I Am Ozzy” is about his wife Sharon and kids Aimee, Kelly and Jack, as family love brought the metal frontman back from the brink.

“A lot of it ain’t’ going to be pretty,” writes Osbourne. “I’ve done some bad things in my time. I’ve always been drawn to the dark side, me. But I ain’t the devil. I’m just John Osbourne: a working-class kid from Aston, who quit his job in the factory and went looking for a good time.”

Photo: AP Photo

Sharon Osbourne clasps a hand over husband Ozzy’s mouth at the Classic Rock awards in London.

Speaking of good times, Osbourne is about to embark on what could be the wildest book tour ever conceived. Hitting bookstores from coast to coast, this is your chance, not only to buy the book, but to get his inimitable signature on the cover. Such a deal!

The book tour begins Jan. 25 when Osbourne arrives for an afternoon signing at a NYC Barnes & Noble and ends at the B&N in Huntington Beach, Calif., Feb. 3. Details, times and locations follow.

Monday, Jan. 25
12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 555 Fifth Avenue at 46th Street, New York City.
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Bookends, 232 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, N.J.

Tuesday, Jan. 26
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Borders, 10 Columbus Circle, New York City.

Wednesday, Jan. 27
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Borders, 1 S. Broad Street, Ste. 100, Philadelphia.

Thursday, Jan. 28
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Barnes & Noble College Bookstores, 660 Beacon St., Boston.

Photo: AP Photo

Ozzy, proud during her Wango Tango set at the Pasadena Rose Bowl.

Saturday, Jan. 30
1 p.m. – 3 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 55 Old Orchard Center, Skokie, Ill.

Tuesday, Feb. 2
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, Calif.

Wednesday, Feb. 3
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 7881 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach, Calif.

Looking for more information? Click here for Ozzy Osbourne’s lair on the Web.