The Prince Of Darkness’s Infamous Photos: 5 Shocking Stories Behind Ozzy Osbourne’s Mug Shots And Arrests

The legacy of John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne, the "Prince of Darkness," is a tapestry woven with groundbreaking music, reality television fame, and a rock-and-roll lifestyle that often collided with the law. As of December 2025, the stories behind his various brushes with authorities—each resulting in a memorable mug shot or an infamous incident—continue to be a source of fascination for fans and historians alike. This article delves into the true, often hilarious, and sometimes terrifying context of his most notorious arrests, providing the freshest details and a complete biographical profile of the late rock icon.

The mug shots of Ozzy Osbourne are more than just police records; they are cultural artifacts that perfectly encapsulate the chaotic, yet endearing, nature of a man who became a global superstar. From a public intoxication charge that led to an iconic jersey photo to a shocking attempted murder accusation, these incidents paint a vivid picture of the challenges he faced throughout his legendary career, right up until his passing in July 2025.

John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne: A Complete Biographical Profile

• Full Name: John Michael Osbourne
• Nickname: The Prince of Darkness, The Godfather of Heavy Metal
• Born: December 3, 1948, in Aston, Birmingham, England
• Died: July 22, 2025, in Harefield, England
• Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Television Personality
• Primary Bands: Black Sabbath (1968–1979, various reunions), Solo Artist (1980–2025)
• Spouses:
  • Thelma Riley (m. 1971; div. 1982)
  • Sharon Arden (m. 1982; until his death in 2025)
• Children:
  • With Thelma Riley: Jessica Osbourne, Louis Osbourne
  • Adopted: Elliot Kingsley
  • With Sharon Osbourne: Aimee Osbourne, Kelly Osbourne, Jack Osbourne
• Key Entities/Topical Authority: Black Sabbath, Sharon Osbourne, The Ozzfest, MTV’s The Osbournes, Heavy Metal, The Alamo.

The Iconic "Blues Jersey" Mug Shot: Memphis, 1984

Arguably the most famous and widely circulated of Ozzy Osbourne’s mug shots is the one where he is sporting a St. Louis Blues hockey jersey. The story behind this photo is a classic example of the rock star's public intoxication struggles during the height of his solo career.

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The Circumstances of the Arrest

The incident occurred on May 16, 1984, while Osbourne was on his highly successful Bark at the Moon tour. He was in Memphis, Tennessee, for a show.

• Date: May 16, 1984
• Location: Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee
• Charge: Public Drunkenness (misdemeanor)
• The Outfit: A St. Louis Blues jersey with the number "9" (for hockey legend Bobby Hull)

Shelby County Police officers found the "Prince of Darkness" staggering on Beale Street around 12:30 a.m. and arrested him for public intoxication. He was eventually released after sobering up, but the resulting mug shot—a slightly dazed Ozzy in the bright blue jersey—was instantly legendary.

A Cultural Phenomenon

This mug shot transcended its origins as a police record. It became a piece of rock and roll and sports memorabilia, cementing Ozzy’s unexpected connection to the St. Louis Blues hockey team. The photo is now frequently printed on T-shirts, coffee mugs, and other merchandise, becoming a symbol of his wild, uninhibited persona. The team itself has embraced the connection, with the photo often resurfacing on social media during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

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The Most Shocking Incidents: Attempted Murder and The Alamo

While the Blues jersey photo is famous for its comedic element, two other arrests in Ozzy’s timeline highlight the darker, more serious side of his addiction struggles.

1. The Attempted Murder Charge (1989)

This is arguably the most terrifying and serious incident in Ozzy Osbourne’s life. In 1989, his struggles with substance abuse reached a critical point, leading to a shocking confrontation with his wife, Sharon Osbourne.

Following a heavy drinking session, Ozzy returned home and, in a drunken stupor, attempted to strangle Sharon. Sharon immediately pressed the panic button, and police arrived, arresting him on an attempted murder charge.

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The charge was later dropped when Sharon decided not to press charges, but only on the condition that Ozzy immediately enter a rehabilitation facility. This incident was a major turning point, forcing him to confront his alcoholism and ultimately saving their marriage and his life. While a mug shot likely exists from this serious charge, it is not the one most commonly circulated, as the focus remains on the severity of the act itself.

2. The Infamous Alamo Incident (1982)

Two years before the Memphis mug shot, Ozzy was involved in an incident that caused a national uproar and resulted in a temporary ban from the city of San Antonio, Texas.

• Date: February 19, 1982
• Location: The Alamo Cenotaph, San Antonio, Texas
• Charge: Public Intoxication and urinating on a public monument

Legend has it that Ozzy, wearing one of Sharon’s dresses because she had hidden all his clothes, was arrested for urinating on the Alamo Cenotaph—a memorial dedicated to the defenders who died in the 1836 Battle of the Alamo. The city of San Antonio was outraged, and he was banned from performing there for a decade.

In a surprising twist of modern history, Ozzy acknowledged the 42nd anniversary of the arrest in February 2024 by posting a picture of his jail release on Instagram, reminding fans of the moment he was escorted out of a police station. This recent social media activity keeps the story of this notorious arrest fresh and relevant, long after the event itself.

The Lasting Impact and Redemption

Ozzy Osbourne’s long history of arrests, public intoxication, and legal issues were not merely tabloid fodder; they were symptomatic of a lifelong battle with addiction. His mug shots serve as stark reminders of the price of the rock-and-roll lifestyle.

However, the narrative of his life is ultimately one of survival and redemption. His later years, documented on The Osbournes and throughout his final decades, showed a man who had largely overcome his demons, focusing on family, his musical legacy, and managing his health challenges.

The Prince of Darkness turned his public humiliation into part of his legend. By embracing the chaos—recreating the Blues mug shot and joking about the Alamo incident—he transformed the images of his downfall into symbols of his enduring, rebellious spirit. His mug shots, therefore, stand not just as records of his crimes, but as testaments to the wild, unparalleled life of a rock icon who was never afraid to be exactly who he was, even when he was in trouble.