By Jeb Wright

Thirty years ago, in 1981, a New York City kid with a camera received an assignment from Circus Magazine to shoot a small black and white photo of Ozzy Osbourne. When the shoot was over, Mark Weiss had taken the infamous shot of Ozzy Osbourne, The Prince of Darkness, in a pink tutu, wearing cowboy boots. The photo ended up on the magazine’s cover, and was the first of many crazy photos the duo would concoct over the next three decades.

Weiss and Osbourne worked well together, both professionally and personally. What began as a one-off photo shoot has turned into a life long friendship.

The twelve iconic Ozzy Osbourne photographs up for auction were originally displayed at the famous Riot House in Hollywood, after Ozzy’s appearance at the 2009 Sunset Strip Festival. Each of the archival giclée prints on canvas are autographed by Ozzy, and Mark, and are dated “April 25, 2011,” which is one day after they were dispayed at Jack Osbourne’s documentary premier for his film, God Bless Ozzy Osbourne, at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. Winner bidders will also receive a free 11x14 print signed by Mark Weiss www.weissguygallery.com

In the interview that follows, Mark filled us in on his role in Jack Osbourne film and the story behind how he got Ozzy to wear a bunny suit.

Mark: Jack Osbourne, who produced the film, invited me to the premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on Easter Sunday. 　I was the last interview he did for the movie, and I made a short appearance in the film, talking about when I found out his parents were a couple- before anyone knew. 　Many of my classic photographs of Ozzy were also used throughout the film.

Mark: I have the utmost respect for Jack after viewing his documentary, which was his first production. 　I feel he has found himself, from playing pranks on The Osbourne's reality show, to picking the bands that play at 　Ozzfest,　to training to be a cop-- all in front of America. 　I feel Jack's place is to tell stories, and what better way to start than with the honesty he showed in this film. 　I am very proud of him. I have known him since he was a baby.

Mark: Let's just say here is one of my quotes in the movie: "There I was, taking pictures of Ozzy in bed, and next think you know, Sharon crawls under the covers to do the deed...that's when I knew they were a couple."

Mark: 　Ozzy is the most sincere, honest, loving guy anyone could meet, and he’s not afraid to show it. 　 He says what's on his mind, and is not afraid to say it. 　If you think that's crazy, then more people should be that crazy.

Mark: One of the photos that will be auctioned is the most spiel photograph. 　When I found out that the film was being debuted on Easter Sunday, I went to the archives and pulled out the folder that read 　"Bunny Costume." 　In the early 80s, maybe 1984, Sharon and Ozzy came by my studio in NYC to do a photo shoot. At that point, we had a relationship of trust, and no matter how crazy my ideas were, he would go along with it, which leads me to the bunny story. 　

I shared a studio with a calendar photographer and there were numerous costumes lying around, one being a bunny suit 　Ozzy saw it and said to me "What's that Mawrk?” He started squirming and looked to Sharon as she was leaving the studio. He goes, “Shaaaaaaron…” which was the first time I heard him call her name as he did later in the reality show. I laughed and turned to Sharon and said, "Is it okay if I put him in the bunny suit?" 　She said, "Go have fun." Ozzy reluctantly put on the entire outfit. 　As I began to photograph him, I told him to hop with an Easter basket in hand. He asked "Do I really have to do this Mark?" 　I said, “Trust me Ozzy, it will be fun.” I knew these photographs would never be used but I thought we would get a good laugh looking at it later. 　That is the kind of trust we had with each other. Who would figure that his son, not even conceived yet, would be showcasing it in the film about his father.　

Mark: I recently began showcasing my photos throughout the country, sharing my stories, and selling them to fans that appreciate rock 'n' roll history. I am proud to have captured the era, and would never have thought these photos would become so iconic and influential in the telling the stories of the "Decade of Decadence."