Renowned for his expertise in architecture and construction law, Sapers offered Joe Steinfield a light-hearted yet poignant piece of advice: “They just fall out of the sky, Joe.” Little did Steinfield know how true that would ring years later.
On March 31, 1982, a call came from Harley Lewin, a lawyer based in New York. Lewin was known for his work representing rock bands during the tumultuous era of the 1970s and 1980s. His days were filled with managing crises, and on this particular occasion, he was running interference for none other than Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of Black Sabbath.
Osbourne was in the midst of his “Diary of a Madman Tour” when an infamous incident occurred. During a concert in Des Moines, a fan threw a bat on stage, and in a shocking display, Ozzy bit off its head.
It was this incident that prompted Lewin to reach out to Steinfield, whom he had never met. “I hear you’re the best lawyer in Boston,” Lewin said, setting the stage for an unexpected legal battle.
Despite having little knowledge of Ozzy Osbourne and his heavy metal legacy—his own preferences leaned more towards jazz and classical music, thanks to his pianist wife, Virginia Eskin—Steinfield was intrigued. He had earned a reputation as a fierce advocate against censorship, making him a suitable candidate for Osbourne’s legal troubles.
The Boston Licensing Board had just revoked Ozzy’s permit to perform at the Boston Garden, following a complaint from a concerned school teacher disgusted by Ozzy’s shocking antics..
Eager to rectify the situation, Steinfield promptly arranged for an emergency hearing with the Licensing Board. He passionately appealed to them to reconsider their decision, assuring them that Ozzy and his band would adhere to any imposed conditions.
The board outlined a series of restrictions: No profanity, no obscenity, no pyrotechnics, no violence, and crucially, no feigned violence.
Feeling victorious after successfully negotiating the conditions, Steinfield called Lewin in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to relay the news.
However, on the day of the concert, Steinfield, filled with trepidation, contacted Lewin once more to confirm that the band was prepared to follow the restrictions.
Lewin’s response was nonchalant, “You worry too much,” leaving Steinfield uneasy.
Lewin suggested that Steinfield visit the Meridien hotel where Ozzy was reportedly staying to discuss payment. When he called the hotel, he learned that no one by the name of Ozzy Osbourne was there.
Determined, Steinfield reached out to Boston Garden to connect with backstage, only to find out that Ozzy had gone out for dinner.
To his delight, he received a call back from Sharon Arden, Ozzy’s manager, who invited him to witness the show.
Dressed in a suit and tie, Steinfield felt somewhat out of place standing in front of the concert venue. He drew curious looks and even disdain from a fan who commented rudely on his attire.
When backstage, Sharon greeted him warmly and led him to Ozzy, who was in the process of having his makeup applied before the performance.
As Steinfield chatted with Ozzy, the rock star revealed the truth behind the infamous bat incident. Ozzy had initially thought the bat thrown at him was a toy and didn’t realize it was real until he took a bite.
He lamented about how he had to endure a series of painful rabies shots after the incident, acknowledging the seriousness of what he had done but expressing regret over the outcome.
Steinfield then made his way to the other band members, introducing himself as their legal counsel and reviewing the performance conditions he had negotiated with the Licensing Board.
As he listed each stipulation—no profanity, no obscenity, no pyrotechnics, and so forth—the guitarist responded with a jovial “No problem” until they reached the last rule.
When Steinfield announced, “No feigned violence,” the room fell silent, and the band’s members exchanged resigned glances, lamenting their inability to stage a particular act involving a feigned hanging of a dwarf.
Despite the initial fears and the limitations placed on their performance, the show went off without a hitch. Ozzy refrained from any antics that would breach the agreed-upon conditions, leaving the audience to enjoy a memorable concert.
In the years since, Ozzy Osbourne became a cultural icon, further immortalized through reality television, yet last week he passed away at the age of 76.
Joe Steinfield finds himself now at 86, still practicing law in Boston with the firm Prince Lobel Tye. He resides in Keene, New Hampshire, where he shared his unforgettable experience representing Ozzy Osbourne in a column for the Keene Sentinel.
When asked whether Ozzy was his most famous client, Steinfield replied, “Well, I represented Julia Child.” It appears that while he carved out a niche in the culinary realm, his experience with Ozzy Osbourne remains a defining moment in his illustrious legal career, one that few can claim to share.
image source from：bostonglobe
