The world has lost one of rock’s most iconic figures. Ozzy Osbourne—The Prince of Darkness, the godfather of heavy metal, and a man who turned madness into music— passed away at the age of 76. For fans around the globe, it’s the end of an era. But for Tampa Bay, it’s also the end of a decades-long relationship with a rock legend who made this side of Florida feel like a second home.
Ozzy’s history with Tampa stretches back to the chaos of his Black Sabbath roots to the bat-biting solo years and Ozzfest domination, he graced stages across the region —always unpredictable, always unforgettable.
A Stage He Owned
Ozzy first electrified Tampa Bay in the 1970s with Black Sabbath, tearing through tracks like “Iron Man” and “Paranoid” with raw, bone-rattling power at the old Curtis Hixon Hall. September 9, 1981, as part of his "Blizzard of Ozz" tour. Def Leppard opened for him that night. Fans still talk about that show like it was a religious experience—dark, loud, and ferociously alive. Randy Rhoads would be the highlight for many.
In the 1980s and ’90s, as a solo act, Ozzy returned to the Bay again and again, playing the now-demolished Tampa Stadium, the St. Pete Times Forum (now Amalie Arena), and the Fairgrounds. His shows were often chaotic in the best possible way: pyrotechnics, giant crosses, fake blood, and, of course, the ever-present chance he might moon the crowd.
Perhaps no Tampa Bay memory is more iconic than Ozzy’s Ozzfest July 14th, 2001. The traveling metal circus he co-founded with his wife Sharon. Disturbed, Drowning Pool & many others played a sold out Trop with Black Sabbath as the headliner. They would play the brand new Tampa Bay Amp in 2004 as the last date as West Palm had to be cancelled because of Hurricane Frances.
Fun Rumors and Wild Tales
Ozzy was a magnet for myth and mischief, and Tampa got its fair share of both.
- The Bat Incident—Tampa Remix? While the infamous bat-biting happened in Des Moines, Iowa, there’s a long-standing Tampa rumor that Ozzy nearly repeated the act at a mid-’90s show —except this time, a fan threw a rubber bat, and Ozzy reportedly shouted, “Nice try, mate!” before tossing it back with a laugh.
- The Hotel Pool Story 1: One longtime rumor says that in the ’80s, Ozzy and his bandmates took over the pool at the downtown Hyatt, blasting Sabbath records while chugging champagne in the hot tub at 3 a.m. Hotel security never stood a chance. Tampa police were called to break up the scene.
- The Hotel Pool Story 2: Ozzy, while on the road with Motley Crue, would allegedly snort up some ants and licked up other fluids according to Tommy Lee. This happened at what used to be a Holiday Inn in the Plant City area near their show at the Lakeland Civic Center.
A Deep Connection
Despite the mayhem, Ozzy always showed a deep affection for his fans in Florida. He once told a local interviewer in the early 2000s, “Tampa crowds are mad—in the best way. You all scream like your lives depend on it. I love it here.”
2019 Ozzy Osbourne's "No More Tours Tour 2" in Tampa was postponed. Specifically, the "No More Tours 2" concert scheduled for June 2, 2019, at the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre was postponed due to Ozzy Osbourne's health issues. The show was initially postponed to May 31, 2020, as part of the rescheduled North American tour dates. Ultimately, Ozzy Osbourne's entire 2019 North American tour was postponed due to his health, including the Tampa show. Covid would finish that dream.
A Legacy That Won’t Die
Ozzy leaves behind a legacy etched in metal and madness. A Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. A cultural icon. A survivor. And for Tampa Bay—a performer who never phoned it in, who always gave his all, whether it was 100 degrees onstage or storming during soundcheck.
As fans crank up “Crazy Train” or “Mama, I’m Coming Home” this week in tribute, they’ll do so remembering not just a rockstar—but a legend who treated Tampa like a second home.
Enjoy some great videos below from Ozzy visits over the years 🤘🏻
Rest easy, Ozzy. You’ll always be our Prince of Darkness. 🖤
Got your own Ozzy story from a Tampa show? Drop me a line at BIGRIG@98ROCK.COM or hit us up on our socials. Let’s celebrate the madness together.