HarperCollins has bought The Beautiful Death of Ozzy Osbourne: How Metal Teaches Us to Live.
Acting editorial director for HarperNorth, Andrew Furlow, acquired world all-language rights from Antony Topping of Greene & Heaton. The book will be published in hardback, e-book and audio in June 2026. Published in the run-up to the anniversary of Ozzy Osbourne’s death, metal writer Keith Kahn-Harris “presents a unique exploration of Ozzy Osbourne, metal and the legacy his life and culture leaves for the rest of us”, the publisher said.
HarperNorth said: “In concise, arresting chapters interspersed with black and white photos and named after the fundamentals of life and metal (Death, Love, Bodies, Hate, Politics, Voice and more), Kahn-Harris explores the unlikely story of how Ozzy, of all people, attracted such generosity of spirit in his last weeks and following his death.
“Once seen by some as a feared, demonic figure, Ozzy’s Back to the Beginning farewell concert at Villa Park, held just weeks before his death, raised huge amounts of money for charity. His final performance, in which he sung from a bat-shaped throne, was more moving than many expected. How did this metamorphosis happen?
“The answer, Kahn-Harris finds, is deeply embedded within the story and culture of metal – and has lessons for us all.”
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