Back to the early days in the 1980’s here’s a great example of how Ozzy has always been a jokester! So funny Ozzy Osbourne and Zakk Wylde posing for Hit Parader, November 1988
Before the stadium tours, Grammy wins, and reality shows, Ozzy Osbourne was already a larger-than-life figure—not just for his iconic voice and dark stage persona, but for his wild sense of humor and unpredictable antics. One unforgettable moment that perfectly captured Ozzy’s playful spirit comes from a 1988 Hit Parader magazine photoshoot with his then-new guitarist, a young and wide-eyed Zakk Wylde.
It was November of ’88. Hair metal ruled MTV, spandex was still acceptable stagewear, and Ozzy was in the middle of a career resurgence following the release of No Rest for the Wicked, his first album with Zakk Wylde on lead guitar. While the music was heavy, the mood behind the scenes was anything but—especially when Ozzy and Zakk hit the studio with Hit Parader’s camera crew.
Classic Ozzy: The Eternal Jokester
The resulting images have since become legendary among fans—not for their rockstar glamour, but for their sheer ridiculousness. Ozzy, dressed in his usual gothic attire, struck exaggerated kung-fu poses, flashed devil horns with a manic grin, and even balanced a banana on his head in one outtake. Zakk, then just 21 years old and trying to keep a straight face, could barely contain his laughter as Ozzy hammed it up for the camera like a deranged cartoon villain.
One now-iconic shot shows Ozzy clutching Zakk in a mock headlock, his tongue sticking out, eyes wide with lunatic glee. Zakk, in full leather gear and his signature lion’s mane of blonde curls, appears both stunned and delighted.
“That shoot was hysterical,” Zakk later recalled in an interview. “Ozzy was pulling pranks the whole time. He put rubber snakes in my guitar case and told the photographer he’d only smile if they gave him a stuffed bat to hold.”
Building a Bond Through Laughter
This shoot wasn’t just about promoting a new lineup—it was the beginning of one of the most important and heartfelt friendships in rock. Ozzy had just parted ways with guitarist Jake E. Lee, and was taking a risk by hiring an unknown New Jersey shredder. But the chemistry was instant.
Zakk once said:
“Ozzy made me feel like family from day one. And yeah, he’s the Prince of Darkness, but he’s also one of the funniest dudes I’ve ever met.”
The goofy photos from Hit Parader proved that point. Far from the brooding image often associated with heavy metal, the photos radiated warmth, humor, and chaos—just like Ozzy himself.
More Than Just a Laugh
While the photos made fans chuckle, they also symbolized something deeper: Ozzy’s refusal to be boxed in. Even while being hailed as a godfather of metal, he never took himself too seriously. Whether throwing cakes on stage, making faces in interviews, or filming surreal music videos, Ozzy always leaned into the absurd.
That energy inspired Zakk, who went on to become not only a virtuoso guitarist but also one of metal’s most beloved characters—no doubt shaped by Ozzy’s influence on and off stage.
A Moment Frozen in Time
Looking back, the November 1988 Hit Parader spread stands as a time capsule from a pivotal era. Ozzy was evolving, rebuilding, and still making people laugh in the process. Zakk Wylde was stepping into his destiny. And together, they showed the world that metal didn’t have to mean misery—it could also be outrageous, hilarious, and filled with heart.
So here’s to that iconic photoshoot: a reminder that Ozzy Osbourne’s madness has always come with a wink, and that even in the heaviest of times, he’s never been afraid to crack a joke, pull a face, or make us all laugh like hell.
