Suicide Solution: The Ozzy Osbourne Trial
Tragedy struck a California family in 1984 when nineteen-year old John McCollum committed suicide. Side one of Ozzy Osbourne’s Blizzard of Ozz sat on John’s turntable. His lifeless body was still wearing headphones. It is a reasonable assumption that “Suicide Solution” was the final song heard by the troubled teenager.
Although John was a high school dropout with a history of substance abuse, the McCollum family believed external influences were the root of John’s internal demons. According to Mr. McCollum, music inspired his son to kill himself. Specifically, Ozzy Osbourne was to blame.
Ozzy and CBS records were named as defendants in a court case that claimed Osbourne behaved irresponsibly by releasing a song titled “Suicide Solution.” Prosecutors argued both artist and label acted “with the knowledge” that “Suicide Solution” had the potential to “promote suicide.”
On it’s face, the lawsuit seemed baseless to the point of absurdity. However, within the climate of the eighties “satanic panic,” the case proceeded. The media heavily publicized the trial. Nighttime news shows ran segments exploring the dangers of heavy metal. There was a distinct focus on Ozzy Osbourne and suicide.
https://youtu.be/WfReBDHuouQ
Ultimately, the case was dismissed. Unbelievably, ANOTHER unsuccessful case alleged that subliminal messages in “Suicide Solution” prompted an additional young man to kill himself. Had the lawsuits succeeded, an ugly precedent would have been set. Creators of books, movies, and music would be accountable for the actions of disturbed individuals that consume their art. Fortunately, sanity prevailed and metal’s madman continues to entertain audiences throughout the world.
