Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
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
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
