Mr. Crowley

The Zoo Crew is spinning the haunting track Mr. Crowley by Ozzy Osbourne from his iconic album Blizzard of Ozz, and Zoo Freaks, get ready for some wild trivia about this song! Inspired by the infamous English occultist Aleister Crowley, the song was sparked when Ozzy stumbled across Crowley’s book Diary of a Drug Fiend and a deck of tarot cards designed by Crowley in the studio during the album’s recording. In a post on X, Ozzy shared, “While we were recording the Blizzard of Ozz album there was a pack of tarot cards that Crowley had designed lying around the studio. One thing led to another and the song ‘Mr. Crowley’ was born.” The track’s eerie keyboard intro, crafted by Don Airey, was created in just half an hour after he kicked the band out of the studio, with Ozzy later exclaiming, “You just plugged into my head, man!” The legendary guitar solo by Randy Rhoads, ranked 28th best by Guitar World readers in 2011, is a cornerstone of heavy metal history. Interestingly, Ozzy mispronounces Crowley’s name as “KRAU-lee” instead of the correct “KRO-lee,” adding a quirky touch to the track. The song’s cryptic lyric “Was it polemically sent?” was inspired by Crowley’s habit of signing books with “Polemically Yours,” as noted by bassist Bob Daisley, who co-wrote the song.

Another juicy tidbit comes from the song’s cultural impact. Mr. Crowley found its way into video games like Fallout 3, where a ghoul character named “Mister Crowley” and the song’s lyrics appear in a quest walkthrough, and Brütal Legend, cementing its place in pop culture. The track was the second single from Blizzard of Ozz, following Crazy Train, and its live version, recorded in Southampton in October 1980, was released as a UK single, peaking at #46 on the UK charts. Fans on Reddit have raved about the live 1981 performance, noting how the slightly slower tempo emphasizes Rhoads’ blistering solos and the song’s bone-chilling atmosphere. There’s even a rumor, shared on X, that Ozzy was so enamored with Rhoads’ genius during the Blizzard of Ozz era that he grew paranoid about others copying his style, leading to limited footage of the guitarist. Oh, and did you know the line “Won’t you ride my white horse?” is a nod to heroin, as Crowley was a known addict? A fan on Songfacts clarified this drug reference, debunking myths that it referred to opium.

Now, let’s dive into how Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness, kicked off his legendary career. Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England, Ozzy grew up in a working-class family with a passion for music. In 1968, he co-founded Black Sabbath, originally called Earth, with guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward. Their self-titled debut album in 1970, followed by classics like Paranoid and Master of Reality, laid the foundation for heavy metal with their dark, heavy sound. Ozzy’s raw, emotive vocals earned him the nickname “Prince of Darkness,” but his struggles with alcohol and drugs led to his firing from Black Sabbath in 1979. Feeling his career was over, Ozzy was saved by Sharon Arden, daughter of the band’s manager, who became his manager and later his wife. Sharon assembled a killer lineup for Ozzy’s solo project, including guitarist Randy Rhoads, bassist Bob Daisley, and drummer Lee Kerslake, and they recorded Blizzard of Ozz in 1980 at Ridge Farm Studios. The album, initially meant to be credited to the band Blizzard of Ozz, was released as Ozzy’s solo debut due to a decision by Jet Records, launching him into solo stardom with hits like Crazy Train and Mr. Crowley.

Zoo Freaks can connect with Ozzy and fellow fans across the web. His official website, ozzy.com, is the go-to hub for tour dates, merch, and news. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates, throwback posts, and glimpses into his wild life. For fan communities, check out the Ozzy Osbourne Fans Facebook group, where diehards share memories, rare photos, and tour stories. Another great spot is the fan-run site Ozzyhead.com, packed with discographies, lyrics, and fan tributes. For those craving a tribute experience, Mr. Crowley, an Ozzy tribute band, has an official site with show dates and videos that capture the spirit of the Blizzard of Ozz era. So, Zoo Freaks, crank up Mr. Crowley and dive into the dark, electrifying world of Ozzy!