However this book came to be – the enigmatic lunatic that is Ozzy Osbourne speaking it to an interviewer or spewing random thoughts and memories into a recorder – matters little, as the voice and cadence, humor and pathos of Ozzy is all over this posthumously released final memoir by the Prince of Darkness. Last Rites is every bit of what you think of Ozzy – irreverent, blunt, hilarious, mournful and contrite – as well as boldly defiant to his plights and heights. To say the least, I had great fun while reading this, along with being utterly mortified. A grand balance for any book.
Last Rites follows the final years of Ozzy’s life replete with truly awful physical pain and life-threatening operations, which he describes in agonizing detail, dovetailing away from the drama to recall great stories of times with Black Sabbath, his solo excursions, including the life and death of his first great, guitarist, Randy Rhodes, in which he finally comes clean on the details of the terrible airplane accident of 1983, and stories of a bevy of epic rock stars. My favorite is Ozzy’s interactions with Lemmy from Motörhead, whose biting rhetoric and soaring intellect, along with Herculean drinking and speed consumption, is the book’s highlight. It was great getting these respites from the harrowing medical conditions poor Ozzy endured for the years covered here.
Osbourne’s candid mea culpa on his wild and dangerous ride through the 70s and 80s rock world and the collateral damage it caused to family, friends and colleagues is touching stuff, as there is very little punches pulled. This is especially heartwarming considering Ozzy’s passing before this book was released, Last Rites ends fittingly with Ozzy’s triumphant final concert in his hometown of Birmingham and his coming to grips with the darkness and light of his compelling life that leaves readers satisfied for him and his legacy.
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