“Prince of Darkness” Ozzy Osbourne was in Tempe on Saturday for his autobiography book tour. Arriving late in a tinted SUV, Ozzy, dressed in a black velvet coat, gold chain and his signature sunglasses, waved to the cheering crowd as security guards escorted him into the building.

Hundreds of fans of all ages bore the cold and rain for hours to catch a glimpse of the “Godfather of Heavy Metal” at Changing Hands bookstore on South McClintock Drive and West Guadalupe Road.

Osbourne’s autobiography, “I am Ozzy,” tells his life story through his own imaginative and inimitable voice.

In a neatly formed line, enthusiastic fans waited for a turn to get an autograph and a photo with Osbourne.

Steve Leon, 28, of Phoenix, couldn’t stop smiling as the line slowly moved forward.

“I love Ozzy, and have been to a bunch of Ozzfests,” Leon said. “I can’t wait to meet him and I want to read the book.”

Waiting for two hours in the rain wasn’t too bad for the chance to meet Osbourne, he said.

Fans had to preorder the book from Changing Hands and get a voucher in order to meet Osbourne.

Cindy Dach, general manager of Changing Hands, said only 1,600 books and vouchers were available, although the store could have sold more books.

Osbourne had a limited amount of time, so the event was on a strict schedule, she said.

Like most celebrities, Osbourne has an entourage that travels with him everywhere, including “Big Dave,” his head of security.

“The book tour has been amazing — every place we have gone the books have actually sold out,” Dave said. “They had to call the stores and do everything they can to get more books, which has happened here.”

Proving that age doesn’t matter if you’re a rock star, two teenage girls ran away screaming in excitement after meeting Osbourne.

Kelly Lewis, 17, and Autumn Tullock, 18, both Phoenix residents who will begin attending ASU in the fall, were hoping to see the star.

“We were hoping to get an autograph but didn’t know we needed a ticket or anything,” Tullock said.

Radio stations announced that Osbourne was going to be in town, but failed to mention that a ticket and pre-ordered book was needed to meet him, Lewis said.

Tullock’s mother saw Osbourne perform in the early 1980s and passed down her love for the musician to her daughter.

After a couple of hours, the sun began to peek through the clouds, finally drenching the many waiting fans in sunlight.

Infamous for his antics, Osbourne greeted photographers with obscene gestures paired with a smile while posing for media photos. The photographers couldn’t get enough.

Andie Piotrowski, 13, was one of the younger fans in attendance.
“We’ve been waiting to see Ozzy for two-and-a-half hours,” she said. “I love Ozzy because of my great aunt and father.”

Sharon Clark, a Valley resident from England, was smoking a cigarette in the sun, away from the line of fans. Since she didn’t have a voucher, she was looking for a way to meet her favorite musician.

“I didn’t even know about Ozzy until I moved to the states, England wouldn’t play him,” she said. “Poor thing.”

Reach the reporter at mmbarke1@asu.edu