The last years of Ozzy Osbourne’s life will be explored in a new Paramount+ documentary titled Ozzy: No Escape From Now.
“The thing about getting older [is], I used to take pills for fun — now I take them to stay alive,” the late Black Sabbath frontman says in a teaser for the film released Wednesday, September 17.
Directed by Tania Alexander, the new film chronicles the final six years of Osbourne’s life as he prepared for what would be his final concert at the Back to the Beginning festival in his hometown of Birmingham, England.
“Ozzy’s one regret is that he never really said goodbye to his fans,” Ozzy’s wife, Sharon Osbourne, says in the clip, referring to her husband’s decision to play one last show with Black Sabbath. “He had a brilliant career, and it ended in a brilliant way.”
The documentary also features interviews with Ozzy and Sharon’s three children: Aimee, 42, Kelly, 40, and Jack, 39. (Ozzy also shared daughter Jessica and son Louis with first wife Thelma Riley and adopted her son Elliot from a previous relationship.)
“Having to cancel the tour, that was really his biggest heartbreak,” Aimee says in the trailer, referencing Ozzy calling off his planned farewell tour because of a 2019 spinal injury.
Kelly, meanwhile, shares that her father still had a great time making music even as his health was failing.
“I took Dad to the studio every single day,” she recalls. “He would get comfortable, and it was like the magic would begin.”
In his own interview, Ozzy adds, “I had a blast. That was the best medicine I ever had. I’m not good at being sick. I belong up there [on stage].”
The final moments of the video show Ozzy in a reflective mood as he tells the camera, “If my life’s coming to an end, I really can’t complain. I had a great life.”
In addition to Ozzy’s family, No Escape From Now features Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi, guitarist Zakk Wylde, Metallica’s James Hetfield, Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello and numerous other musicians.
Ozzy died on July 22 at age 76 after a yearslong battle with Parkinson’s disease.
“It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning,” the family told Luxury Handbag Shopping in a statement at the time. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
The late rocker was laid to rest at a funeral in Birmingham on July 30.
Ozzy: No Escape From Now premieres on Paramount+ Tuesday, October 7.
