The year was 2003, and the world of advertising was experiencing a small revolution. The once-corporate, polished ads were making way for more quirky, unexpected campaigns that would capture the attention of the masses. Pepsi, the juggernaut of soft drinks, had recently unveiled a new flavor: Pepsi Twist, with a refreshing twist of lemon. It was a bold move, but Pepsi knew that to stand out in the crowded market, they needed to push the boundaries of what people expected from a commercial. And so, they turned to the most unlikely duo imaginable—Ozzy Osbourne and his family.

At the time, Ozzy was a figure synonymous with rebellion. The frontman of Black Sabbath, the man who had been the voice of some of the heaviest, darkest songs in rock history, had become an icon in the music world. “Crazy Train,” “Bark at the Moon,” and countless other anthems had made him a household name—one not typically associated with the wholesome, family-friendly aura that Pepsi needed for its ad campaign. But that, ironically, was exactly what made him the perfect candidate for the task.

Ozzy had become a cultural icon in a different way in the early 2000s—not just through his music but through his wild antics and his very public persona as part of the hit MTV reality show The Osbournes. Audiences tuned in not just for the rock star’s chaotic life, but for the heartwarming dynamic of his family. Despite his larger-than-life image, there was a softness, a vulnerability that Ozzy displayed when he was with his wife, Sharon, and their children, Jack and Kelly. The family’s antics, misadventures, and love for each other made them relatable and real, and it was this contrast that appealed to Pepsi.

The concept for the commercial was simple yet absurd—a moment of comedic brilliance that would only work with the right blend of personalities. The commercial would feature Ozzy, who had never been known for his practical life skills, attempting to do something as mundane as taking out the trash. It would be a perfect setup for the punchline: a product he didn’t understand, a twist he couldn’t grasp.

The scene was set at the Osbourne home, and the family was ready to shoot the commercial. Ozzy, looking confused but utterly endearing in his characteristic way, struggled with putting a trash bag in the bin. In typical Ozzy fashion, the simplest task became a chaotic disaster. Jack and Kelly appeared, their cans of Pepsi Twist in hand. But there was a twist—one that even Ozzy couldn’t see coming.

“These aren’t Pepsis. They’re Pepsi Twists,” Jack said, grinning.

Ozzy, whose baffled expression was as much a part of his brand as his music, responded in the only way he knew how. “You’re a bunch of bloody magicians!” he exclaimed, looking at his children as if they had just performed some kind of dark sorcery.

But the punchline didn’t stop there. Kelly Osbourne, always the witty one, added her own twist to the moment: “We’re not the Osbournes,” she said with a smile, before dramatically revealing, “We’re the Osmonds.”

Ozzy, already confused by the twist of Pepsi and the unexpected appearance of his children in a different light, panicked. He fumbled for words, his eyes wide as he stumbled through the realization that something wasn’t right. “Sharon!” he yelled, calling for his wife, as if Sharon could help him make sense of the surreal situation unfolding in front of him. And then, as if to complete the bizarre moment, the legendary actress Florence Henderson—Mrs. Brady herself—appeared in the shot, adding to the comedic chaos.

The commercial, a fusion of pop culture, absurdity, and family dynamics, quickly became a hit, not just because of its comedic value but also because of the way it captured the unexpected crossover between two iconic families—one rock-and-roll, one wholesome. It was a moment that, years later, would remain a cherished memory in the hearts of fans everywhere.

And yet, as time passed, the significance of that commercial went beyond just the humor. For Donny Osmond, it was a poignant reminder of the bond he had formed with Ozzy. Despite their vastly different musical backgrounds, Donny had come to appreciate Ozzy not just as a cultural figure but as someone who had his own unique form of warmth and humor. The Osmonds had long been known for their clean-cut image, their bubblegum pop sound, but seeing Ozzy in that ad—awkward, confused, yet endearing—showed a side of the rock star that was rarely seen. He wasn’t just the “Prince of Darkness” of rock music; he was a father, a husband, and a man who could laugh at himself.

When news of Ozzy’s passing in July 2025 broke, Donny Osmond took a moment to reflect on his relationship with the man he had once joked with in front of millions. He shared the commercial clip, fondly recalling the time they spent together. “I’ve always looked back at this commercial we shot in ‘03 so fondly,” Donny wrote, his words a heartfelt tribute to a man who had transcended his rock-and-roll persona to become something more—a figure who had captured the imagination of generations, even in his most ridiculous moments.

Donny went on to share a personal memory from the last time he saw Ozzy: “The last time we spoke was backstage at Dancing with the Stars season 9. He told me how much he loved the Osmond song ‘Crazy Horses.’ Talk about crazy!”

It was a simple, humorous exchange, but it encapsulated everything about their unlikely friendship—a connection that went beyond music, beyond public personas. It was about respect, mutual admiration, and shared moments of laughter in an industry often defined by its competitive nature.

And as Donny reflected on their friendship, he couldn’t help but think back to that commercial—a moment when two vastly different worlds collided, when rock and roll met bubblegum pop in a way that no one had expected. To Donny, that moment in the lavender-scented breeze of Los Angeles was more than just an advertisement. It was a reminder that, in this wild and unpredictable world, sometimes the best connections were the ones that were formed in the most unexpected ways.

“Thank you for always bringing your authentic personality to everything you’ve touched,” Donny wrote in his final tribute to Ozzy. “From Crazy Horses to Crazy Trains, Rest In Peace.”

For the millions of fans who had watched The Osbournes and followed Ozzy’s career, the commercial, the friendship, and the memories would live on forever—not just as a humorous moment but as a testament to the beauty of unlikely connections, the unspoken bond between two musical legends, and the laughter they shared that would echo long after they were gone.