Ozzy & Me

About This Audiobook

Stephen Rea’s memoir isn’t just another rock star origin story—it’s a backstage pass into the chaotic, glittering world of Ozzy Osbourne as seen through the eyes of a Northern Irish kid who grew up in the shadow of The Troubles. Rea’s friendship with Ozzy spans four decades, from dodgy punk venues in London to sold-out stadiums, and his storytelling balances raw grit with surprising tenderness. The real kicker? You don’t need to be a metalhead to love this book. Rea’s unfiltered anecdotes—like convincing Ozzy to perform in Belfast during the ceasefire or surviving a backstage brawl with Sharon Osbourne—feel like overheard conversations at a pub where the drinks never stop flowing. Simon Slater’s narration is a masterclass in tonal versatility, shifting effortlessly between Rea’s working-class Belfast accent and his spot-on impressions of Ozzy’s slurred, iconic diction. The production is crisp, with subtle sound design that places you right in the middle of the chaos, whether it’s backstage chaos or the quiet moments between two friends who’ve seen it all.