Sharon, his wife of 23 years, has managed to steer the singer in more mainstream directions of late, most notably as the confounded patriarch on MTV's reality-based The Osbournes; the man known as the Prince of Darkness is quite probably harmless these days.

Still, to play it safe, The Globe's Brad Wheeler conducted an interview with Osbourne by e-mail, with an Atlantic Ocean safely between them.

Your new album, Under Cover, has some interesting song selections. Why did you decide to do an album of cover tunes, and what went into the song choices?

I'd made a list on a plane many, many years ago and at the time I had no intention of actually doing a covers album. When Sony released the Prince of Darkness box set, I did some covers tracks and the record company liked them so much that we decided to do a full album. It was great fun to do.

You cover In My Life, your favourite Beatle song. Johnny Cash, just before he died, also recorded it. With that in mind, how are you feeling these days?

I can assure you I'm alive and well, and only if by an act of God I will continue playing music -- I hope.

Your first job was as a plumber's assistant. Do you fix your own leaky faucets, or do you hire a tradesman?

I don't drink any more!

Right. How have you managed to stay married when so many rock 'n' roll marriages crash and burn?

Super Glue. Seriously, I truly believe my wife and I were meant for each other. I mean, without joking, who else would have me? Because I believe I'm really crazy. I think.

Sharon has just come out with her book. Is there anything in it that embarrasses you?

I haven't read it. And I don't want to read it in case I do get embarrassed.

Were there incidents that you asked her to leave out?

No, because it was none of my business. It's her memory and her interpretation.

Would you say your life an open book?

Everyone knows I've been an alcoholic, a drug addict, and everyone knows that I'm in recovery and have been for a long, long while now. So I suppose it's as open as it could get. Unless someone wants to take some film of me taking a crap. . .