In an interview with David Letterman in 1982, Ozzy revealed that he had to get rabies shots after biting the bat. “I can assure you the rabies shots I went through afterwards aren’t fun,” he said (via Loudwire). The Prince Of Darkness later claimed that he had to receive rabies shots for three weeks after the incident, as well. Ozzy Osbourne’s infamous bat-biting incident still makes people ask, “Why on earth did he do that?” You might imagine some wild, planned stunt, but the real story involves a teenage fan, an unlucky bat and a very surprised rock star. 38 Years Ago Tonight: Ozzy Osbourne bit the head off a bat during a concert at Vets Auditorium in Des Moines in front of 5,000 fans. He claimed he thought it was a toy thrown to him by an audience member. He was taken to a hospital afterwards for a rabies shot. Legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne bit the head off a live bat in 1982. He explained why the infamous incident was really an accident. Ozzy Osbourne will forever be remembered as the Prince of Darkness — but even in death, his infamous 1982 bat-biting incident will be cemented in rock history. “I got rabies shots for biting the head off a bat but that’s OK — the bat had to get Ozzy shots” “I’m a lunatic by nature, and lunatics don’t need training — they just are” Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne died July 22 at 76. The rock legend left Des Moines "with bat taste in mouth" after a show in 1982. Osbourne bit the head off a bat during his Diary of a Madman concert in Des Moines. Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne has passed away at the age of 76. The English rock star's family announced his death in a statement shared on Instagram, writing: "It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this OZZY OSBOURNE bit the head off a bat and has since shared how the bizarre incident came to be, why it was a mistake and how he had to have rabies shots. On January 20, 1982, Ozzy Osbourne bites the head off of a bat and has to go to the hospital. He has to get 24 rabies shots in a month. Ozzy Osbourne passed away 'peacefully' on Tuesday at the age of 76, a statement from his family said. The Black Sabbath frontman had performed from on stage at Villa Park in Birmingham less than Ozzy Osbourne. Actor: Little Nicky. One of the pioneers of heavy metal and one of its most commercially successful and iconic artists, Ozzy Osbourne was born in Birmingham, England, as John Michael Osbourne. After leaving school and having many odd jobs, he ended up in a band with Geezer Butler. This group then split, leading Ozzy and Geezer to join Tony Iommi and Bill Ward in a new band that Ozzy Osbourne was devastatingly funny and surprisingly wise. We pulled out some of his greatest quotes from throughout the years. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Rock singer Ozzy Osbourne, undergoing rabies treatment because he bit off the head of a bat, apparently suffered a reaction to the rabies serum and collapsed during a Did Ozzy get rabies? Osbourne, 33, of Beverly Hills, California, was given a tetanus shot and a rabies shot and took enough rabies vaccine with him to complete the series, according to Winifred Barden, a supervisor at Broadlawns. Ozzy Osbourne has explained his side of the story many, many times. He thought a fan had thrown a fake rubber bat onstage, and it wasn’t until he chomped into the flying mammal that he realized Forty years ago tonight, Ozzy Osbourne inadvertently bit the head off a live bat, leading to rabies shots and countless headlines. After the concert, Osbourne was rushed to Broadlawns Medical Center for rabies shots. Pam Culver was the nurse supervisor on duty that night when Osbourne's tour bus rolled in. Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne died July 22 at 76. The rock legend left Des Moines "with bat taste in mouth" after a show in 1982.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | |
![]() |