Ozzy Osbourne - we shouldn't speak ill of the dead but has his domestic abuse and serial infidelity been glossed over in all the eulogies?

[mids2019]

Maybe because he was a rocker firm the 70s but it seems Ozzy's real character flaws have been warped into a 'charismatic hell raiser ' image to be admired.

In reality should we also be critical about his actions and views?

What you call being fascinated by us little people and our obsession with ‘celebrity’ @MyHeartyCoralSnail some might call patronising, all because we are pointing out your idol has feet of clay.

That you think I dislike or know nothing of metal, unlike you, pure adorer of art, is just another thing you’re wrong about.

You continue in your ‘see the art not the artist’ schtick and I’ll continue saying the white washing of abusive men to enjoy their work without guilt is lazy.

@MyHeartyCoralSnail surely those of disgusted by his behaviour are not obsessed with celebrity, we are seeing him the same as boring Bob down the road, if Bob had tried to strangle his wife and killed hit pet cats. You are the one blinded by his art and ignoring his faults

His life has been defined by his substance abuse. A raging abuser when in active addiction and a pathetic wet brain in his sobriety. I did find him amusing at times in the same way I’m amused by Trump’s nonsense.
I like rock but could never listen to Black Sabbath because I find them samey and lyrically poor.

Guy with bi polar, enjoys shocking people and will go to extremes. Abused as a child, poor boundaries, poor education, poor ethics. He created a new shock to the senses genre of music, galvinising those wanting to flex their rebellious streak.

His poor mental health, addiction and abuse cycle should have been managed better. He was a sick, addled man, whose talent was managed by another abuse cycle victim and reactionary perpetrator.

To my mind the charity in later life means there was some growth and reflection. The rest of the family can work on themselves to break the cycle.

Ozzy must be one of the few people managed by Sharons father , Don Arden , not to die broke. I think they needed each other. Ozzy was the ' product' . Sharon the agent. A shrewd marriage in that respect.

😁

Yes funny that. Don Arden ruined many bands of that era whilst he lived like royalty in LA off the back of many fantastic bands who saw little money for their art. He obliterated the UK music scene.

Holk holgan as died.

Yep, they are all dropping like flies.

Who the feck made you thread Police?

I'm here to say whatever the fuck I want, thanks.

You have eternity to hate the man. I just think it's in bad taste to do it now.

And I'm allowed to think it, say it, AND post it here.

Go rant at someone else.

Can you point out a single place where I’ve ignored his faults? Maybe you’re thinking of when I called him a twat? Your post is a perfect example of what I was saying

My husband is a big fan.Watched an interview or documentary about him a while back where he talked about how he had beaten or attacked sharon.They seemed to have photos of her bruises from the attack of him lying knocked out ,with bottles everywhere in a photo album.
I found that pretty strange.
I don't like that he was cruel to animals either.

He managed ELO and Jeff Lynne had no issues with him. Ozzys contract was a wedding gift to Sharon and then became a cause of litigation. Don was a v.unpleasant man if crossed

Beaten, attacked- she took him back. She loved him, he loved her but was a sex addict. Killed his cats - should’ve been banned from keeping animals - utter scum. But money…. If it was Jim Bob down the road the council estate “fucking this and that”, taking drugs, beating his wife, house full of shitting animals, few kids can you imagine!

But is anyone excusing this? This was what? 40 years ago. I totally accept these actions happened in the past. Do you accept that he had changed, do you accept that people can change. Do you understand you’re not really in a position to judge someone you don’t know and you should listen to the people who did know him? The ones who knew him for the past 40 years.,

The ones who knew him best will have a warped view as children or spouses of an addict. His shock tactics and drug addled drama is what they made their living on. Their views of him will be influenced by what was their norm and survival instincts.

It will take them years to get perspective on him (and Sharon).

I wouldn't be mourning a man who produced crap music and chose to shoot animals and lived to 76.

So much for gun laws in the UK.

I don’t know a lot of evil people personally, but I’ll still judge them.

No I don’t believe he changed, irrelevant even if he did.

What he did was unforgivable.

@MyHeartyCoralSnail I will judge anyone who tried to strangle his wife and killed pets. I don't care how long ago it was. How many women on here live with abusive husbands and have such low esteem they accept that life. How many posters on here describe their partner as a great dad, but for those looking in it is blatantly obvious he is a shit dad.

Are you saying because I didn't personally know Jimmy Saville I can't judge him?

No im snot saying that at all, but can you please explain why you would compare Ozzy to Jimmy Saville? I think they’re very different issues. At the end of the day Sharon made the decision to stay with him, she’s benefitted greatly from staying with him. She’s always been a position where she could leave him. He very much openly changed his ways. What you are judging is a version of someone 40 years out of date. I’m saying Sharon and Ozzys family would be best placed in deciding how much he had changed, his work that has been applauded by animals rights people indicates that they think he’s changed.

But as I’ve said, most sensible people draw a distinction between the art and artist, the deatg of Ozzy Osbourne has had a wide impact across a community for all the reasons linked to his art I have previously set out. If you’re stuck focusing on 40 year old actions that’s fine, but people aren’t wrong if they don’t agree with you.

What do you know about him to judge whether he changed or not. Do you not believe in forgiveness if someone changes their ways. Do think a 70 year old should still be judged for mistakes they made in their late 20s/early thirties. What’s the point in people trying to change for the better?

As a matter of interest what level of interest did you have in Oxzy and Black Sabbath before his death?

I’m really not sure why this is not getting through! I’ve said the man had faults. But I’m concentrating on his art. Ozzy was not “my idol” lol. You’re simply lashing around. You keep accusing me of things I’m repeatedly telling you aren’t true. I think I’ll leave to your rants. You clearly aren’t willing to discuss anything.

So a bunch of mumsnetters have a better view🤣

Everyone is so puritanical these days. It's like a prolonged backlash to the permissive late 20th century.

Surely there is a scale of wrongness though, drugs and affairs are not on the same level as domestic violence?