Patient Number 9

The Zoo Crew is spinning the electrifying track "Patient Number 9" by Ozzy Osbourne from his 2022 album of the same name, and Zoo Freaks, this one’s packed with wild stories! Released on June 24, 2022, as the lead single, the song features a searing guitar solo by the legendary Jeff Beck, who delivers both a heavy, ripping solo and a melodic acoustic one, as producer Andrew Watt shared on SiriusXM’s Ozzy’s Boneyard. The music video, directed by comic book icon Todd McFarlane, is a first for Ozzy, incorporating his own hand-drawn demon artwork animated during Beck’s solo, a creative flex Osbourne proudly highlighted on X. The song’s theatrical, seven-minute horror vibe was dropped just a week after Ozzy’s grueling spinal surgery, a testament to his resilience despite battling Parkinson’s and mobility issues from a 2003 ATV accident. Ozzy revealed in a 2022 interview with Stereogum that making the album helped him cope, saying it “took my mind off of my problems.” Some limited-edition album packages even include a comic book by McFarlane, telling the story of Ozzy trapped in an asylum, as noted in posts on X.

The "Patient Number 9" album, Ozzy’s 13th solo studio effort, is a star-studded affair, with contributions from Eric Clapton, Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, and, for the first time on an Ozzy solo record, Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi. Ozzy admitted in the Stereogum interview he was shocked that megastars like Clapton and Beck agreed to play, initially doubting they’d join his project. The track itself landed at #2 on the UK albums chart, Ozzy’s highest-charting solo album there, and the album snagged two Grammys at the 65th Annual Awards, including Best Rock Album and Best Metal Performance for “Degradation Rules.” Fans on Discogs have mixed feelings about the vinyl pressing, with some praising the Japanese versions for excellent sound, while others called the red and black marbled edition “muddy” and inconsistent.

Ozzy Osbourne, born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England, kicked off his legendary career in 1968 as the frontman of Black Sabbath, a band that birthed heavy metal. Growing up in a working-class family, Ozzy dropped out of school at 15, taking odd jobs and even landing in jail for two months at 17 for burglary. His music journey began when he answered a flyer from guitarist Tony Iommi, forming the band Earth with Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. They renamed it Black Sabbath after a Boris Karloff horror flick, crafting a dark, bluesy, amplified sound that captivated audiences. Their 1970 self-titled debut album exploded in the UK and US, with hits like “Paranoid” defining the genre. Ozzy’s occult-tinged lyrics and raw vocal style earned him the nickname “Prince of Darkness.” Fired from Black Sabbath in 1979 due to drug and alcohol issues, he launched a solo career with 1980’s Blizzard of Ozz, featuring guitarist Randy Rhoads and the iconic “Crazy Train.” His solo work, including albums like Diary of a Madman and No More Tears, cemented his status as a metal icon.

Zoo Freaks can keep up with Ozzy through his official website, where you’ll find news, tour updates, and merch. Connect with him on social media via Facebook, Instagram, and X, where he shares everything from album teasers to personal doodles. Fans gather at sites like Discogs for discography details and vinyl reviews, while Reddit’s Ozzy Osbourne community buzzes with discussions. On Facebook, groups like Ozzy Osbourne Fans unite devotees sharing concert memories and rare finds. Whether you’re headbanging to “Patient Number 9” or diving into his metal legacy, Ozzy’s still rocking the airwaves for all you Zoo Freaks!