Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary voice behind Black Sabbath and one of the founding fathers of heavy metal, has passed away at the age of 76 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
In a heartfelt statement, his family shared, “Ozzy passed away this morning surrounded by love. Words can’t express our sadness. We ask for privacy during this difficult time.”
Just two weeks before his passing, Ozzy gave fans one final unforgettable performance during Black Sabbath’s “Back to the Beginning” tribute show in Birmingham — the band’s hometown — alongside acts like Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Tool.
In 2020, Ozzy had shared his Parkinson’s diagnosis and later announced his retirement from touring due to spinal injuries. He said, “The thought of letting my fans down really messes me up… I never imagined ending my touring days like this.”
Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham in 1948, Ozzy came from a humble background and turned early struggles — including time in jail for petty crime — into fuel for a legendary career. After teaming up with guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward, and bassist Geezer Butler, Black Sabbath was born. Their dark, thunderous sound laid the foundation for what we now know as heavy metal.
Their early albums — Black Sabbath, Paranoid, and Master of Reality — became timeless classics. Tracks like “Iron Man,” “War Pigs,” and “Sweet Leaf” cemented their place in rock history.
After being fired from Sabbath in 1979, Ozzy bounced back with an incredible solo career, producing hits like “Crazy Train” and introducing legendary guitarists like Randy Rhoads and Zakk Wylde. His solo success even outshined his days with Sabbath, proving Ozzy was a force on his own.
In the 1990s, his wife Sharon Osbourne created Ozzfest, a wildly successful music festival that showcased both rising and legendary metal acts. Then, in the 2000s, Ozzy became a TV star on MTV’s The Osbournes, a hilarious, chaotic, and oddly heartwarming look at his family life that introduced him to a new generation.
Ozzy was known for his wild stage antics — including the infamous bat-biting incident — and his battles with addiction. But through it all, he remained honest, unpredictable, and endlessly entertaining. His relationship with Sharon, though often rocky, endured through decades and became one of rock’s most famous love stories.
In recent years, he released two more albums (Ordinary Man and Patient Number 9), and a new BBC reality show, Home to Roost, was announced in 2022, showing Ozzy and Sharon’s return to the UK after years in America.
From metal legend to reality star, Ozzy Osbourne’s life was nothing short of extraordinary. He changed the face of music, inspired generations of artists, and never stopped being unapologetically himself.
He is survived by his wife Sharon and five children. His music, spirit, and unforgettable legacy will live on forever.
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