Ozzy Osbourne, the trailblazing frontman of Black Sabbath and one of the most influential figures in heavy metal history, has died mere weeks after his farewell performance. He was 76.
The news was shared today by his family stating that: “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love." A cause of death has not been publicly exposed, but it was well known that the legendary musician had long been open about his battles with Parkinson’s disease and other health complications in recent years.
Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England, Ozzy rose to fame as the voice behind Black Sabbath, the metal band that shaped a genre with their 1970 self-titled debut. With dark riffs, eerie lyricism, and Osbourne’s unmistakable and unique vocals, the band redefined rock music and laid the foundation for what would become heavy metal.
Osbourne’s time with Black Sabbath produced genre-defining albums like Paranoid (1970), Master of Reality (1971), and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973). After parting ways with the band in 1979, he launched a massively successful solo career piggy backing off the fame of Black Sabbath, kicking things off with Blizzard of Oz (1980), which featured hits like “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley.”
Often controversial, Osbourne was known for his wild antics on and off stage — most infamously biting the head off a bat that was thrown on stage during a concert in 1982 — and his decades-long struggles with addictions. Despite this, his talent couldn’t be ignored and he remained a beloved figure, admired for his raw authenticity, signature vocal style, and influence on generations of artists.
In the 2000s, Osbourne found a new audience with The Osbournes (2002-2005), a hit MTV reality series that offered a chaotic, hilarious, and often heartwarming glimpse into the life of his unconventional family. The show cemented his status as a pop culture icon, bringing the Prince of Darkness into living rooms worldwide.
During the course of his career, Osbourne sold over 100 million records, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Black Sabbath in 2006, and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
He was also known for his long and famously resilient marriage to Sharon Osbourne, who managed his career and co-starred with him on The Osbournes. The couple, married since 1982, became one of rock’s most enduring and solid partnerships.
Just three weeks before his passing, Osbourne took to the stage one final time in his hometown of Birmingham, England, for a sold-out farewell concert titled "Back to the Beginning: Ozzy’s Final Bow." Held at Villa Park, the historic show was a tribute to the city where Black Sabbath was born and where heavy metal took root. Though seated on a gothic throne because of his ongoing health struggles with Parkinson's disease, Osbourne’s presence was magnetic. Joined by surviving Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward, he performed iconic tracks like “War Pigs” and “Paranoid” to a sea of emotional fans. The concert was both a celebration and a send-off — a raw, powerful farewell that underscored just how deeply Osbourne’s music has shaped generations. It was a fitting final act from the man who spent more than five decades defying the odds and redefining the boundaries of rock.
Ozzy Osbourne is survived by Sharon and their three children — Aimee, Kelly, and Jack — as well as countless fans and fellow musicians who credit him with shaping the very soul of metal.
A public memorial service is expected to be announced in the coming days. The Prince of Darkness has taken his final bow, leaving behind a legacy that transformed rock music and will continue to inspire people for generations. ~Erin Grace