ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- A Newfoundland pizza deliveryman who lost his collection of rock and roll CDs to a thief has been re-upped by the godfather of metal himself: Ozzy Osbourne.
Josh Cook's car was stolen as he made a delivery in St. John's. The thief returned it to the same spot the next day, but Cook's CD collection was gone.
All that was left behind: An album by Zakk Wylde, Osbourne's longtime guitarist.
Local media coverage of the story was picked up by blogs and a rock music magazine, where Wylde's son saw it and contacted Cook to ask for his address.
Cook said he was surprised when he got a notice to pick up a package from a courier about a week later.
"He sent me like six t-shirts, three long-sleeve t-shirts, three zip-up hoodies, a copy of his new album on CD and vinyl and other collector items," Cook said.
Cook said he was blown away by the gesture, but it didn't end there.
Another large box arrived a few days later -- with Osbourne's back catalogue.
"I opened it up and a couple t-shirts fell out. Then a load of CDs fell out. Black Sabbath and all the Ozzy Osbourne stuff -- basically everything Ozzy did. I thought it was amazing, and then this white envelope falls out. I opened it and there's an autographed picture of Ozzy.
The picture says "To Josh" and has Ozzy's signature.
"They didn't have to do anything like that. It was incredible. These guys are set for life but still take the time for one fan," Cook said.
The packages arrived a year ago, but people are hearing Cook's story now because of recent media coverage about criminal activity at the St. John's apartment building where his car had been stolen.
"That address has been notorious, including assaults and a stabbing," Cook said.
Cook said that since his car was stolen, he's had nothing but bad luck with jobs as employers go out of business.
He is back delivering pizza as he helps to support his disabled mother, but said he has his music to listen to -- and is now more selective on where he will make deliveries.
-- By Kevin Bissett in Fredericton.
