Synopsis
Last Rites, the forthcoming memoir by Ozzy Osbourne set for release on October 7, 2025, via Grand Central Publishing, offers a raw and unflinching look at the legendary rock icon’s life, focusing on the tumultuous period following a devastating health crisis that began in 2018. At the age of sixty-nine, Osbourne was riding high on a triumphant farewell tour, performing to sold-out arenas and basking in critical acclaim as the frontman of Black Sabbath and a solo artist. However, what started as a minor thumb infection during this tour rapidly escalated into a life-altering ordeal, plunging him into what he describes as a “descent into hell.” Within weeks, Osbourne faced near-total paralysis from the neck down, forcing him to abandon his tour and retreat from public life. This health crisis, compounded by a 2019 Parkinson’s disease diagnosis and a serious 2019 accident that left him unable to walk or stand for extended periods, forms the emotional and narrative core of the memoir. Osbourne recounts the physical and psychological toll of these setbacks with his signature candor, blending shocking revelations with a darkly humorous perspective that underscores his resilience and refusal to be defined by his ailments.
Beyond the health struggles, Last Rites weaves a broader tapestry of Osbourne’s extraordinary life and career, reflecting on the experiences that shaped him into the “Prince of Darkness” and a modern-day folk hero. The memoir delves into his turbulent marriage with his wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne, offering an intimate look at the highs and lows of their enduring partnership. Osbourne also shares vivid anecdotes about his encounters with fellow rock legends, including Slash, AC/DC’s Bon Scott, Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham, The Who’s Keith Moon, and Motörhead’s Lemmy Kilmister, with whom he shared particularly poignant final moments before Kilmister’s death in 2015. These stories highlight Osbourne’s deep connections within the rock and metal world, painting a picture of a life lived at the epicenter of music history. The book also captures the significance of his final performance at the “Back to the Beginning” concert in Birmingham, England, on July 5, 2025, where he reunited with Black Sabbath’s original lineup—Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—for a historic farewell show that raised nearly $200 million for charity. This event, livestreamed to over five million fans worldwide, serves as a triumphant capstone to his career, and Osbourne reflects on its emotional weight and the legacy of Black Sabbath.
What sets Last Rites apart is its life-affirming tone, despite the heavy subject matter. Osbourne remains unapologetically himself, expressing no regrets about his wild, often chaotic life. He famously declares, “If I’d been clean and sober, I wouldn’t be Ozzy. If I’d done normal, sensible things, I wouldn’t be Ozzy.” This defiance permeates the memoir, as he recounts both the highs of global fame and the lows of personal struggles without self-pity. From his early days in Birmingham to his rise with Black Sabbath and his reinvention as a solo artist and reality TV star via The Osbournes, Osbourne offers a candid exploration of his legacy. The memoir also touches on unique personal endeavors, such as his collaboration with chimpanzees to create abstract paintings for a charity auction benefiting the Save the Chimps sanctuary. Ultimately, Last Rites is a testament to Osbourne’s enduring spirit, blending shocking storytelling, irreverent humor, and heartfelt reflections to cement his status as a cultural icon who, even at 76, is “not ready to go anywhere.”