Ozzy Osbourne 1980 | The Blizzard of Ozz Interview

What was Ozzy Osbourne really thinking after being fired from Black Sabbath—but before Blizzard of Ozz made him a legend? In this episode, Robert John Hadfield explores a fascinating 1980 Circus magazine interview conducted during one of the most uncertain moments of Ozzy's career. At the time, Ronnie James Dio had already joined Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell was climbing the charts, and Ozzy had no way of knowing whether his new band, Blizzard of Ozz, would succeed or disappear without a trace. Along the way, we compare Ozzy's comments from 1980 with passages from his autobiography, revealing how his perspective changed over the decades. You'll also hear his thoughts on Black Sabbath's collapse, Ronnie James Dio, Van Halen opening for Sabbath, Aleister Crowley, the "Prince of Darkness" image, and why Ozzy believed that energy—not technical perfection—is what makes great records. Sometimes the most interesting stories happen before history knows how they're going to end. 00:00 The shocking Aleister Crowley question 00:14 Setting the stage: Ozzy before Blizzard of Ozz 01:02 AudioMover Rock Trivia Challenge 02:05 Why this 1980 interview is so fascinating 04:47 Why Ozzy left Black Sabbath 05:19 Van Halen opening for Black Sabbath 06:27 Ozzy on the final Sabbath albums 07:13 The "Prince of Darkness" image 09:21 Looking back on Black Sabbath 10:24 Birmingham, fame, and culture shock 11:41 Ozzy's famous cross and his father 13:15 Was Ozzy's exit planned? 15:08 Betrayal, Ronnie James Dio, and moving on 16:47 Ozzy's thoughts on Dio replacing him 17:23 The competition with Black Sabbath 19:39 The birth of Blizzard of Ozz 20:06 "Energy sells records, not brilliance" 21:50 Aleister Crowley and the occult 23:09 Does Ozzy believe in Satan? 24:30 Rock Trivia Answers 26:02 Vinyl unboxing: Black Sabbath – Sabotage #OzzyOsbourne #BlackSabbath #BlizzardOfOzz #RonnieJamesDio #HeavyMetal #RockHistory #CircusMagazine #VanHalen #RandyRhoads #AudioMover