Sharon Osbourne has shared a startling story about her late husband, Ozzy Osbourne, and his tumultuous relationship with the late Ronnie James Dio. According to Sharon, their first meeting nearly turned disastrous.
This shocking revelation comes from the upcoming documentary, Ozzy Osbourne: No Escape From Now, set to premiere on October 7 on Paramount. The film explores the final six years of the Black Sabbath legend’s life, featuring interviews with Ozzy, Sharon, and close friends, reflecting on his journey leading up to his passing in July.
In a poignant moment, Sharon discusses Ozzy’s declining health toward the end of his life, during which he took a renewed interest in Dio, who had replaced him in Black Sabbath from 1979 to 1982 and briefly reunited with the band in the early ’90s. Following Ozzy’s dismissal from the group due to substance abuse, a rivalry with Dio emerged, overshadowing their relationship until Dio’s death in 2010.
Sharon recalls catching Ozzy watching a Dio interview on YouTube. “I was like, ‘Why are you watching Ronnie?’ He replied, ‘I feel sorry for him. I feel terrible.’ He didn’t know Ronnie or his music well at all. Their first encounter was when Ozzy tried to stab him with a fork at the Rainbow. As Ozzy learned more about Dio, he began to recognize the talent he had once resented.
After Dio’s passing, Ozzy reflected on their rivalry, stating, “Metal has lost one of its greatest voices.” In 2022, he expressed that he eventually accepted Dio’s role in Black Sabbath and acknowledged that Dio “did a good job” fronting the band alongside Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi. He went on to say that even though he was initially heartbroken, hiring Dio turned out to be one of the best decisions, allowing the band to start fresh.
Recently, Dio’s longtime drummer Vinny Appice addressed the rumors of a feud between Ozzy and Dio, asserting that they shared a mutual respect. “Ozzy would always talk about how much he liked Ronnie. People blew it out of proportion, but they actually had moments together,” he stated, emphasizing the truth behind their complicated history.
