The book, set for release on October 7 via Grand Central Publishing/ Hachette Book Group, promises to be a raw account of the rock legends life. It focuses heavily on the serious health issues Osbourne has battled over the past decade. These include spinal injuries and multiple surgeries stemming from a 2003 ATV accident and his 2020 diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease- challenges that led to his decision to retire from touring.

Beyond his health, ‘Last Rites’ will explore key moments and relationships across Osbourne’s life and career, from his marriage to Sharon Osbourne to behind-the-scenes preparations for ‘Back to the Beginning’ farewell concert. The memoir will also recount his friendships and encounters with fellow rock icons, including Slash, Bon Scott, Keith Moon, and a poignant chapter on his final moments with Motörhead’s Lemmy Kilmister before his passing in 2015.

In a recent press statement about the memoir, Osbourne said: “People say to me, if you could do it all again, knowing what you know now, would you change anything? I’m like, fuck no. If I’d been clean and sober, I wouldn’t be Ozzy. If I’d done normal, sensible things, I wouldn’t be Ozzy. Look, if it ends tomorrow, I can’t complain. I’ve been all around the world. Seen a lot of things. I’ve done good… and I’ve done bad. But right now, I’m not ready to go anywhere.”

According to a release from publisher Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group the book, is the “shocking, bitterly hilarious, never-before-told story of Osbourne’s descent into hell”. The release added that the memoir is “unflinching, brutally honest, but surprisingly life-affirming”.

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This will be Osbourne’s second memoir, following the critically acclaimed ‘I Am Ozzy’ (2009) which became a Sunday Times bestseller. The new release is expected to offer a deeper and darker, but ultimately hopeful, look at The Prince of Darkness – one of rock’s most enduring and complex figures.

Ozzy Osbourne’s announcement follows his emotional final appearance at the ‘Back to the Beginning’ farewell concert in Birmingham, where Black Sabbath performed alongside acts including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Smashing Pumpkins, and Rage Against the Machine.

MXDWN’s coverage of the highlights of the Black Sabbath Farewell Concert and Ozzy Osbourne’s final performance can be read here.

“Missing from the public narrative has been the intimate story of his deeply emotive transformation – until now. ‘Cat on the Road to Findout’ finally reveals the curious complexity and intellectual reasoning behind his navigation through life – a voyage which has now culminated in his return to music and art, to share his lessons of life with those seekers, dreamers, and believers, who still love and admire him. He remains true to the optimistic message of his melodic peace train.”

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Yusuf/Cat Stevens commented: “I’ve been on an amazing journey, which began in the narrow streets of London, and led me through the most iconic cities, to perform upon the great stage of Western culture, ascending the dizzying heights of wealth, recognition and artistic pinnacles; freely exploring vast ranges of religions and philosophies, wandering through churches, temples, all the way to the Holy abode in Jerusalem — ignoring myths and warnings — and crossing the foreboded, desert heartlands, to arrive at the House of One God in Abrahamic Arabia. What finally elevated my perspective was a luminous Book that perfectly alchemized my thoughts, beliefs, with human nature. It taught me Oneness, and my place and purpose within the universe.”

The singer which had a terrifying near-death experience, almost drowning back in 1975, will be talking about how the experience led him on a spiritual path which subsequently made him convert to Islam and change his name to Yusuf Islam. Shortly after, he quit music to dedicate his life to God, his family and humanitarian work, earning him a World Award for “humanitarian relief work helping children and victims of war” and the Man of Peace Award, voted for by The Nobel Peace Laureates.

‘Cat On The Road To Findout’ is available to pre-order and to join the pre-sale for his upcoming book tour, visit catstevens.com.

The memoir will launch June 5, published via White Rabbit in hardback and ebook.

Introducing the memoir from one of the era-defining drummers from the post punk scene of the late 1970s and early 80s: BUDGIE. A life that is both fabulously glamorous and a tawdry cautionary tale.

THE ABSENCE: Memoirs of a Banshee Drummer, out June 2025 https://t.co/m7dWBzKP5e pic.twitter.com/Tc6ewwGbXp

— White Rabbit Books (@WhiteRabbitBks) February 6, 2025

Budgie gained early recognition as a member of Big in Japan and The Stilts before joining Siouxsie & The Banshees. Known for hit singles such as ‘Hong Kong Garden’ (1978) and ‘Cities in Dust’ (1986), the latter band have been described as pioneers of the post-punk movement. Originally, Clarke was only hired to tour with the band, but his time with them ultimately became a defining chapter in his life and career. Remarkably, he married Siouxsie Sioux in 1991, a relationship that lasted until 2007. 

The ‘haunting’ title of The Absence reflects the emotional void felt by Clarke during his boyhood, caused by the tragic death of his mother. The press release explains: “Disenchanted with art school in Liverpool, Peter became Budgie and befriended the likes of Jayne Casey, Holly Johnson, Pete Burns, Bill Drummond and other luminaries of the legendary Eric’s’ Club, before taking off for London and the big city heat of punk.” 

Clarke’s story also delves into the struggles with substance abuse that have heavily impacted his life. At the core of this candid and unflinching account is his long-standing role as the drummer and co-writer for Siouxsie & The Banshees. 

In a statement regarding the memoir’s release, Budgie shared his intimidation of revealing such an honest account in his life, saying, “Damned if you do, denied if you don’t. To remember, revisit and to write, was traumatic and cathartic. To be published? Terrifying! I prepared my apologies, and anticipated rejection. I received mostly love, understanding, and affection. To those still hurting from the way things were, I can only empathise.”

Elsewhere, The Absence’s highly anticipated release demonstrates the public interest in the personal lives of musicians from the defining 80s alt pop period, last seen with the hype surrounding the 2016 release of Lol Tolhurst of The Cure’s own biography, Cured: The Tale of Two Imaginary Boys.  

Publisher Lee Brackstone of White Rabbit spoke of The Absence: “[title] is Budgie’s story: a native of St Helens, a crucial figure on the Liverpool scene, the only man in The Slits and then, of course, the beating heart of Siouxsie & The Banshees in their Imperial Phase in the Goth-Pop Eighties. An insider’s account of life inside a band that left a legacy like no other, this is a book that hits as hard as its author did on their most celebrated tracks and required reading for anyone with an interest in the band and their extraordinary legacy.”

The Absence is available for pre-order now. 

Via White Rabbit Publishing, the book is due to hit the shelves on the 1^st of September 2022 and will cover Braithwaite’s life and upbringing in Scotland right through to his long and storied career as a pillar of the alternative music world. Braithwaite said of the new book; “I am immensely proud to be working with White Rabbit on my first book Spaceships Over Glasgow, the process of researching it and writing it has been challenging but one that I’ve really enjoyed. It’s incredibly exciting to be able to share it with the world.”

Founder of White Rabbit Publishing Lee Brackstone shared his excitement for the new book saying; “From his early years in thrall to the giants of alternative music like MBV, JAMC and Sonic Youth to improbable sonic misadventures on tour with one of the greatest psychedelic bands of the present day, Mogwai, Stuart Braithwaite’s memoir is a funny and righteous celebration of a life lived on the road and in the studio, dedicated to the pursuit of aural (and occasionally) psychic enlightenment and obliteration.”

“Spaceships Over Glasgow” is available in a range of formats which can be found here.

Mogwai are set to embark on the UK and European leg of their tour which follows their receipt of the Scottish Album Of The Year (SAY) award in October 2021- for As The Love Continues. However, many of the dates were rescheduled due to the rise of the Omicron variant that swept the world late last year. As The Love Continues was Mogwai’s 10^th studio album and afforded the band their first-ever UK number one. The only way to celebrate was to confirm a special homecoming show at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall in November 2021.

Tickets For Mogwai’s upcoming tour in the UK and Europe are located here, with dates and details for the UK shows listed below;

UK Tour Dates:

05/05/2022- Festival Marquee- Belfast, UK
27/05- Alexandra Palace- London, UK
21-24/07- Bluedot Festival 2022- Macclesfield, UK
26-28/08- Connect Festival 2022- Edinburgh, UK