Metallica bassist Rob Trujillo recently shared details about his audition process for Ozzy Osbourne’s band and the unusual warnings he received before joining. He discussed this in an interview with Louder Sound.

Trujillo described how he landed the audition and the competitive nature of the selection process.

“I got a call from Sharon’s office to audition,” Trujillo said. “The funny thing was, I had the drum intro from [Ozzy’s 1981 solo song] Over The Mountain on my answerphone message. And Sharon hears it and was like, ‘Oh my god…’ So that’s how I got the invite. There were, like, 500 bass players at the actual audition. I was fortunate enough to get the gig. For me, it was a dream come true.”

The bassist also revealed the unusual preparation advice he received before performing with the legendary metal frontman.

“I was warned, ‘Hey, you might come out of the gig with scratches and scrapes, he might bite you, he might pull your hair, get ready for it,'” Trujillo continued. “So I was kind of scared going into my first couple of shows.”

These warnings about Osbourne’s unpredictable stage behavior were rooted in decades of notorious incidents that had become part of rock folklore.

The most infamous example occurred on January 20, 1982. Loudwire reported that Ozzy bit the head off a bat during a concert in Des Moines, Iowa. The incident shocked fans and even led to medical treatment for the singer. He had to get multiple rabies shots afterward due to mistaking the dead bat for a rubber toy.

American Songwriter noted that the bat incident has been widely misunderstood over the years. Many believed it was a planned stunt when it was actually an accident. The publication noted that Osbourne himself has expressed regret about the incident multiple times throughout his career.

Far Out Magazine documented that Osbourne’s wild stage antics weren’t limited to this single incident. His performances throughout the 1980s were marked by unpredictable behavior that often left band members and crew on edge. This reputation for chaotic live shows explains why Trujillo received such specific warnings before joining the tour.

The interview also touched on how Trujillo’s experience with Osbourne influenced his signature “Crab Walk” stage move. He later became known for this move during his time with Metallica. This interaction reflects the lasting impact of performing alongside one of rock’s most unpredictable frontmen.