"Of all the things I miss I miss my mind the most"-Ozzy

A few weeks ago I asked my readers to send me the name of someone they thought were inspiring in the category of “dream to reality” and that I would choose one to write on. Well my good friend Sam was the only one who posted me a name so this week’s blog is about someone who I would have never thought about writing about but I am glad I did because I learned some new things in researching the “legendary” Ozzy Osborne. John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne was born in Birmingham, England, on December 3, 1948. The nickname "Ozzy" was first used when he was in primary school. Osborne states that “it has been a long time since he's recognized himself when called by his formal name.” Ozzy grew up dealing with dyslexia and other learning abilities and recalls several cases of abuse during his junior high year from his teachers. This made his child hood very difficult. At age 14, he became a great fan of The Beatles. He left school at 15 and was then employed as a construction site laborer, trainee, apprentice toolmaker, plumber, car factory horn-tuner and slaughter house worker. His father told him son your either going to grow up to do something really special or you’re going to end up in jail. Soon after he was caught stealing and was turned in to the police by his father and sentenced to six weeks in prison. Turns out the fathers tough love was just the diagnose that Ozzy needed and after getting out of prison he decided that a career in music was what he would do with his life. At this point he met a few guys who he began playing and singing with who would become known as the “Black Sabbath”. Looking for a way to market themselves Ozzy watched as people would flock to see scary movies and things of such nature and told the guys about it and soon started writing melody’s and lyrics to what would soon become his signature sound and look.Ozzy loved the stage and entertaing people and he did so to the extreme some might say. Unfortunately he went through a long period where the extreme mixed with excessive drug and alcohol abuse lead him to nearly killing himself and his wife Sharron. It was after this episode that he told Sharron “I want to stop” and I’m proud to say that in 1990 with the help of his wife he did just that. At the end of a legendary40 years (so far) you could remember a lot about Ozzy but the truth is he is just another dreamer who found a way to turn his dreams into reality. Ozzy said “all I ever wanted was for people to come to my concerts and have a good time”. Ozzy has earned an estimated 100 million from recording, touring and TV shows. In 2008 he was crowned with the prestigious Living Legend award in the Classic Rock Roll of Honor. “Ozzy I think they had a good time!”I hope you guys have a great week and remember –“You can and you will be all that you dream to be”.