We’re used to Ozzy Osbourne riding the "Crazy Train." But apparently, the ex-Black Sabbath frontman has boarded a less-obviously-nuts mode of transport — and it’s headed towards a court of law.
According to the New York Post, Osbourne is suing Sabs guitarist Tony Iommi for a 50% interest in the BS name and a portion of Iommi’s profits. The suit also asserts Iommi illegally claimed ownership of the Sabbath moniker, and that Black Sabbath’s popularity decreased following Osbourne’s departure — which, apart from anything else, adds another chapter to Ozzy’s feud with his Sabs successor Ronnie James Dio.
It’s always regrettable when former bandmates fall out like this. Unless you’re a lawyer, of course. Those guys love this stuff! But what do you think? Does this signal the final end of Osbourne and Iommi’s partnership? Has Ozzy gone off the rails? And how are you liking these train jokes?
Update, 5.30 PM EST, May 29, 2009: Ozzy Osbourne has issued the following statement…
“It is with great regret that I had to resort to legal action against my long term partner, Tony Iommi, but after three years of trying to resolve this issue amicably, I feel I have no other recourse. As of the mid-1990’s, after constant and numerous changes in band members, the brand of "Black Sabbath" was literally in the toilet and Tony Iommi (touring under the name Black Sabbath) was reduced to performing in clubs. Since 1997 when Geezer, Bill and myself rejoined the band, Black Sabbath has returned to its former glory as we headlined sold-out arenas and amphitheatres playing to upwards of 50,000 people at each show around the world. We worked collectively to restore credibility and bring dignity back to the name “Black Sabbath” which lead to the band being inducted into the UK and US Rock & Roll Hall of Fames in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Throughout the last 12 years, it was my management representatives who oversaw the marketing and quality control of the “Black Sabbath” brand through OZZFEST, touring, merchandising and album reissues. The name "Black Sabbath" now has a worldwide prestige and merchandising value that it would not have had by continuing on the road it was on prior to the 1997 reunion tour. Tony, I am so sorry it’s had to get to this point by me having to take this action against you. I don’t have the right to speak for Geezer and Bill, but I feel that morally and ethically the trademark should be owned by the four of us equally. I hope that by me taking this first step that it will ultimately end up that way. We’ve all worked too hard and long in our careers to allow you to sell merchandise that features all our faces, old Black Sabbath album covers and band logos, and then you tell us that you own the copyright. We’re all in our 60’s now. The Black Sabbath legacy should live on long after we have all gone. Please do the right thing.”
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I’m sure this was all Sharon’s idea… Ozzy doesn’t have enough brain cells left to think of something like this on his own.
Ozzy doesn’t have a leg to stand on (not that he could stand even if he did). Sabbath’s popularity was already waning in late 70s (anyone remember Technical Ecstasy? Didn’t think so..). In fact, there was a brief resugence of popularity (and album sales) when Ronnie James Dio joined. It’s true that the Ozzy-less Sabbath never again aquired the heights of success it had in the early 70s, but that’s beside the point. Ozzy signed away the rights to the name Black Sabbath in 1985 and the band, under Iommi, continued to record and tour. The degree of sucess of this venture is irrelevant to the ownership question. Your career is over Sharon…er…Ozzy. Get over it!
That detestable guttersnipe wife of Ozzy’s has decided to get even with Iommi and Butler for kicking away the unproductive Osbourne for the much better–and more professional–Dio. They’ve said so in the press recently–shades of 1980 or so. Shows what can be done if you are sufficiently petty, ugly, and determined.
Sadly, all of the things we all knew in our hearts about ShOzzy have now been proven true in a very public way. His wife is a piece of trash and he is a nutless wonder.
I felt literally nauseous when I read this. It was Tony Iommi, not Ozzy who kept the band going from 1978 onward. I’m one of the few people who does enjoy Sabbath’s post-Ozzy work as well as the original era. The idea of another Ozzy-era reunion is definitely a dead fish in the water…and you know what? GOOD! Why play with someone who wants to just play the same damn 10 songs every night. The current “Heaven & Hell” band with Dio should officially go by Black Sabbath now. At least they’ve done something recently.
There’s a Sabbath DVD Ozzfest Reunion interview w/Iommi, Butler, Ward, and Osbourne w/discussion of who Black Sabbath is and they all say THE ONLY REAL SABBATH has been the four of them. Just because the band continued without Ozzy does not justify raping him nor the other two members of royalties associated with the name Black Sabbath. When people buy Sabbath stuff – they buy it primarily related to the four of them – NOT short-lived RJ Dio or Ian Gillan. In Wikipedia Bill Ward is quoted “I was drunk twenty-four hours a day…It felt like I was dying inside. The live show seemed so bare, Ron was out there doing his thing and I just went ‘It’s gone’.” “While the project was not initially set to be called Black Sabbath, pressures from the record label forced the group to retain the name.”…Disillusioned with the band’s revolving lineup, bassist Geezer Butler quit Black Sabbath in November 1984 to form a solo band. “When Ian Gillan took over that was the end of it for me”, Butler later said
(cont)…”When we got together with Gillan it was not supposed to be a Black Sabbath album.” “The band spent the remainder of the year in the studio, recording what would become Seventh Star. Warner Bros. refused to release the album as a Tony Iommi solo release, instead insisting on using the name Black Sabbath. “It opened up a whole can of worms really,” Iommi explained, “because I think if we could have done it as a solo album, it would have been accepted a lot more.” The new lineup rehearsed for six weeks, preparing for a full world tour, although the band were again forced to use the Black Sabbath name. “I was into the ‘Tony Iommi project’, but I wasn’t into the Black Sabbath moniker.”
I don’t think this is about Sharon, it’s about Ozzy, who’s mind and awareness have sharpened in his sobriety folks. And though he did lose some of your respect in his inebriation / addictive state on television, and did not let anyone into his personal sanctuary of his mind – that does not mean that he is an airhead or burnt out vegetable brain. Ozzy rules – just look at his Down to Earth CD, or his Black Rain CD. He is fabulous! Think about if this were you – wouldn’t you think you deserve credit for your contribution to fame? I believe Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and Ozzy Osbourne should have a 1/4 split each of the band name & proceeds. They all are BLACK SABBATH.
I think this will work out great. Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler are jamming with Ronnie James Dio again in Heaven And Hell, and this will put to rest any yearnings Iommi might have had for another reunion with Ozzy. I have little sympathy for Ozzy. He wasn’t at all worried about Black Sabbath when his solo career was in full bloom. And as for the quality of music, except for the wonderful music Ozzy made with Randy Rhoads, everything Iommi and Butler did with Ronnie James Dio as Black Sabbath was far superior to Ozzy’s solo stuff. It seems odd that Ozzy would suddenly want to settle old scores now after all these years. He must not have made any money off of that horrible variety show they tried to do not too long ago. This annoys me so much that I just ordered the new Heaven And Hell CD (which I was looking forward to anyway). I haven’t bought an Ozzy CD since “The Ultimate Sin”. Ozzy’s artistic relevance ended with the death of Randy Rhoads. Go away already. *yawn*
Iommi is Black Sabbath. Osbourne may be some peoples favorite incarnate of Sabbath,but make no mistake the easily recognized down-tuning-sound that is ‘Sabbath’ belongs to Iommi. RR.
F*** Ozzy. Iommi patented the name 10 YEARS ago!!! And after they booted his drunk ass out, they had the most success since VOl.4 When they relased Heaven and Hell, Mob Rules, Live Evil and even Born Again. Iommi i also the only member to stay with the band for its whole carreer and play at every show! So Ozzy and Sharon (Ozzy’s puppet master, can kiss my ass).
I didn’t follow Black Sabbath after Sabbotage, which in my opinion was the last Sabbath album. (Technical Ecstasy was a piece of crap) How can anyone say Ozzy is not the image of Sabbath. Look, I worship Iommi. Hell, I play a black SG and always am doing something Sabbathy when I play. But just because Iommi stay with Sabbath doesn’t give him the right to the name. Ozzy is right that the reunion tour rekindle a following of Sabbath (no disrespect to those of you who like Dio) so he has the right to a portion of the name. And for God’s sake, what about Geezer? Does anyone besides a few of us who followed Sabbath since ’69 realize how huge a component of the band Geezer was? Black Sabbath is one of the most influential bands in rock and roll and all four founding members deserve our respect and the profits made off the Black Sabbath name. Nuff said.
What the hell is wrong with ozzy !
that guy has enough money and did well amd made a name for himself.
I cant believe hes asking for a percentage of Iommi’s money. What a jerk. Iommi is the main reason why the band held together for so long ! Ozzy never did a damn thing for the band and wasnt the one who wrote the lyrics either ! Tony Iommi patented the name Black Sabbath and owns Black Sabbath under his name. I hope Ozzy loses miserably. It’s all about money to Ozzy. I think Sharon convinced him though to do that.
I wish Ozzy would stop calling himself the Prince Of Darkness, he now declares this constantly – even as he resembles it less and less!
And suing Tony Iommi is just pathetic and disgusting! Does he really think ballads like ‘Mama I’m coming home” resemble anything to do with Black Sabbath or rock music? Ozzy is no more scary or heavy than, say, his undergarments, when full.
screw you ozzy. your a joke and a embarasment to metal fans
ah only a person with no real sense of legeadary metal would say that