In a new interview with Reader’s Digest, Geezer Butler reflected on the ultimatum Sharon Osbourne gave Ozzy Osbourne during one of his solo tours.
The bassist recalled a crucial moment in his life, explaining:
“A rainbow helped me make a heart-rending decision. When my second son, James, was born in 1984, blood wasn’t flowing into his lungs properly. The doctors asked me if they could operate, but there was only a 50 percent chance of success.”
He then reflected on the sacrifice he made for his son:
“It was a dark, rainy day outside, but as I asked God for some guidance, a rainbow appeared. The operation went ahead, and after several more operations, James was eventually OK. I took a couple of years off touring, as I didn’t want to leave James.”
After a short break, Butler continued touring with Ozzy, during which Sharon had one request from the frontman. The musician remembered by saying:
“I eventually joined Ozzy on one of his solo tours. His wife, Sharon, had told him to stop taking drugs and drinking, or she’d leave him. To my relief, it was a very calm tour, after all I’d been through.”
Osbourne’s long-term struggle with drug and alcohol addiction also received criticism from his wife in later years. Back in 2013, Sharon gave Ozzy another ultimatum, saying that she would consider reconciling with him to continue their marriage only if he gave up alcohol. A source told National Enquirer magazine at the time:
“He [Ozzy] can’t bear to live without her [Sharon]. But she’s warned him, no more sneaking around behind her back doing drugs or drinking. Any slip-ups, and she’s out of there.”
Despite those ups and downs, the couple repaired their relationship and stayed together in the following years.
