I Am Ozzy: The classic autobiography from Ozzy Osbourne, the heavy metal music icon and frontman of Black Sabbath

by Ozzy Osbourne

We became pretty tight, me and Geezer. I’ll always remember when we were walking around the Bull Ring in the spring or early summer of 1968, and all of a sudden this bloke with long, frizzy blond hair and the tightest trousers you’ve ever seen pops out of nowhere and slaps Geezer on the back. ‘Geezer fucking Butler!’ Geezer turned around and said, ‘Rob! How are you, man?’ ‘Oh, y’know . . . could be worse.’ ‘Rob, this is Ozzy Zig,’ said Geezer. ‘Ozzy, this is Robert Plant – he used to sing with the Band of Joy.’ ‘Oh yeah,’ I said, recognising the face. ‘I went to one of your shows. Fucking awesome voice, man.’ ‘Thanks,’ said Plant, flashing me this big, charming smile. ‘So, what you been up to?’ asked Geezer. ‘Well, since you mention it, I’ve been offered a job.’ ‘Nice. What’s the gig?’ ‘The Yardbirds.’ ‘Whoah! Congratulations, man. That’s huge. But didn’t they split up?’