DETROIT – APRIL 4: English vocalist, songwriter and reality television star, Ozzy Osbourne, aka “The Prince of Darkness,” poses for a portrait before his performance at the Joe Louis Arena, on April 4, 1986, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Ross Marino/Getty Images)

On January 20, 1982, the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Des Moines, Iowa, witnessed a shocking and bizarre incident that would go down in rock and roll history. During a live performance, the legendary “Prince of Darkness,” Ozzy Osbourne, unintentionally bit the head off a bat. What started as a theatrical stunt gone awry turned into a defining moment for the wild antics of one of heavy metal’s most iconic frontmen.

 

Ozzy Osbourne, known for his theatrical and often controversial stage presence, was no stranger to shocking his audience. However, the events that transpired in Des Moines that fateful night took things to an entirely new level. As part of his stage theatrics, Osbourne often included the use of props, including rubber animals. On this particular evening, a fan threw a bat onto the stage, and in a moment of impulsive showmanship, Osbourne bit down on what he believed to be a rubber bat.

 

To his horror and the audience’s disbelief, Ozzy quickly realized that the bat was, in fact, real. In the chaos of the performance, the distinction between rubber and living creature had been lost, resulting in a shocking and macabre turn of events. Osbourne later expressed his genuine mortification upon discovering the truth, as he had not intended to perform such a gruesome act.

 

After the bat-biting incident, Ozzy Osbourne was rushed to the hospital for a thorough medical examination. The risk of infection and potential health consequences of biting into a live animal were significant. Osbourne underwent a series of shots to prevent rabies and other potential infections, turning what started as a rock spectacle into a serious health concern.

 

In the aftermath of the incident, Ozzy Osbourne, recognizing the gravity of what had occurred, vowed to cease such extreme behaviour. He publicly stated his intention to refrain from biting the heads off living things during his performances. However, as history would later reveal, this vow proved difficult to uphold for the unpredictable and boundary-pushing frontman.

 

The bat-biting incident in Des Moines became a defining moment in Ozzy Osbourne’s career, further solidifying his reputation as a rock and roll rebel. The incident also heightened concerns over the potential dangers and health risks associated with such extreme stage antics. Despite the unintentional horror, the story of Ozzy biting the head off a bat has become a legendary tale in the annals of rock and metal history.

 

The bat-biting incident of January 20, 1982, remains a testament to the unpredictable and sometimes shocking nature of live rock performances. Ozzy Osbourne’s unintentional encounter with a real bat not only left an indelible mark on his career but also became a moment that fans and music enthusiasts would recount for decades to come. While the event was undoubtedly mortifying for Ozzy, it added another layer to the enigmatic and rebellious persona of one of heavy metal’s most enduring figures.