Podcast Summary: Holmberg's Morning Sickness – "Rock Wars: Best Obscure or Little Known Song from Ozzy for His BDay"

Date: December 3, 2025
Hosts: John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo
Podcast: 98KUPD | Hubbard Radio (Arizona)

Overview

This episode of Holmberg’s Morning Sickness celebrates Ozzy Osbourne’s 77th birthday with a special Rock Wars challenge. The crew—Holmberg, Brady, Brett, and Toledo—competes to pick the best "deep cut" or obscure Ozzy Osbourne solo song: one that wasn’t a commercial smash but should’ve been, showcasing the legend’s overlooked gems beyond his biggest hits.

They set ground rules: no hits, no Sabbath tracks—just Ozzy’s solo work that fans may have missed. The hosts each bring a lesser-known song to the table, debate Ozzy’s musical phases, and, as always, leave room for their friendly competitiveness and banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rock Wars Format & Ozzy’s Birthday Tribute

[03:14–04:42]

• The show’s “Rock Wars” segment challenges each host to pick a thematic song—in this case, to honor Ozzy Osbourne with a great solo deep cut.
• Criteria clarified by Holmberg:

  "Give me something that probably should have been on that [greatest hits] list... Not Sabbath. An Ozzy solo song that you’re like, man, everyone should know this. This is my go-to deep cut." (Host, 03:31)

• Emphasis on Ozzy’s depth as an artist:

  "He was, in his own way at a certain point where some of his good songs couldn't get over because the better ones overshadowed it." (Host, 10:50)

2. Song Selections and Rationale

Each host picks and justifies an Ozzy deep cut, revealing personal and musical insights:

Brady’s Pick: “I Don’t Want to Stop” (from Black Rain, 2007)

[06:53–08:15]

• Brady:

  "2007 off the Black Rain album." (06:53)
  "That was one of his best later tracks." (08:13)

• Host’s Commentary:

  "That was actually a really good song... The newer stuff didn’t get the pop that it should have because after the show on MTV and all the stuff, he kind of became campy." (06:55; 07:57)

• Brett adds trivia:

  "WWE used ‘I Don't Want to Stop’ as the official theme song for the pay per view Judgment Day. He later performed the song... on Jimmy Kimmel Live, VH1 Rock Honors, Guitar Hero, Madden NFL 08..." (Brett, 07:12)

• Despite the exposure, the group agrees it never reached “smash hit” status, fitting the deep cut requirement.

Brett’s Pick: “Rock and Roll Rebel” (from Bark at the Moon, 1983)

[08:19–09:03]

• Brett:

  "I'm gonna go back to Jakey Lee's first album with him from the Bark at the Moon album, 'Rock and Roll Rebel.'" (08:19)

• Brady:

  "They say I worship the devil... Got the laugh. Quintessential the devil. Everything in there, you know." (08:35, 08:46)

• Host:

  "And Jakey Lee's guitar. Oh, man... He had to follow Randy Rhodes. That was a tough gig." (08:52–08:58)

Host’s Pick: “Thunder Underground” (from Ozzmosis, 1995)

[09:03–10:11]

• Host:

  "I thought this was a mid-80s song. It turns out it was off Ozzmosis... I think it's the most Ozzy song that Ozzy ever." (09:03, 09:41)

• They reflect on Ozzmosis’s underrated stature, with several tracks that could have been bigger:

  "That whole album got played deadly here." (09:55)

3. Host Banter, Rock Wars Standings, and the Spirit of the Game

[03:43–04:42; 10:11–12:32]

• Brett and Brady lightly rib each other about standings:

  "Why do you do this to Brady?" (Brett, 03:43) "That's how the score is 17 to 17 to 4." (Host, 03:44)

• The hosts tease Brady for his losing streak but keep the contest friendly:

  "Brett sprinted past you. You haven't won since May 7th. Get on the ball, brother!" (Host, 03:56)

• Discuss possible "playoff" scenarios to keep things interesting:

  "Just to make it fun. There you go... Brady's will be worth that day after if he wins." (Host, 12:32)

4. Listener Interaction and Winner Selection

[11:07–11:52]

• They go to listener calls to pick a winner.
• First call, Frenchie:

  "I'm going to have to go with Brett, man. I love that album!" (Caller Frenchie, 11:15)

• Light-hearted reactions as Brett takes the win, leading the Rock Wars standings 18-17 over the host.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Ozzy's later career:

  "After the show on MTV and all the stuff, he kind of became campy... when Ozzy released songs, it was like, 'oh, that's adorable.' He sort of lost the label." (Host, 07:57)

• Brady, on “Rock and Roll Rebel”:

  "They say I worship the devil... Got the laugh. Quintessential the devil. Everything in there, you know." (08:46–08:48)

• Rock Wars Summed Up:

  "Had he not had all the hits we know, and those three songs were his hits, they'd be legend." (Host, 10:50)

• Playful standings jab:

  "That's how the score is 17 to 17 to 4." (Host, 03:44)

Important Timestamps

• [03:14] – Introduction to this week’s Rock Wars and Ozzy birthday theme
• [06:53] – Brady introduces his pick: “I Don’t Want to Stop”
• [07:12] – Brett provides trivia on “I Don’t Want to Stop”
• [08:19] – Brett introduces “Rock and Roll Rebel”
• [09:03] – Host discusses “Thunder Underground” and Ozzmosis
• [11:07] – Listener (Frenchie) picks Brett’s song as Rock Wars winner
• [11:52] – Final scores, playful game banter

Conclusion

This episode captures the fun, camaraderie, and deep-cut Ozzy fandom that defines Holmberg’s Morning Sickness. The “Rock Wars” challenge exposes listeners to some of Ozzy Osbourne's lesser-known solo tracks with personal perspectives, trivia, and humor. Through their picks and banter, the hosts highlight why the Prince of Darkness is immortal—whether it’s a chart-topper or a hidden gem, every Ozzy song has a story.

Winner: Brett, with "Rock and Roll Rebel"
Standings: Brett leads Rock Wars 18-17

For Ozzy fans and rock enthusiasts, this episode is a celebration of musical discovery and a reminder that some of the best tracks never make the greatest hits.