Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness and pioneering front man of Black Sabbath, has died at age 76, his family confirmed.
Final Farewell Comes to an End
Ozzy Osbourne passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones, according to a statement from his family. His death comes just weeks after his final concert in Birmingham on July 5 — an emotional reunion with original Black Sabbath members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward during the “Back to the Beginning” farewell show.
Legacy as Godfather of Heavy Metal
Born John Michael Osbourne in 1948 in Birmingham, he co-founded Black Sabbath in 1968, helping define heavy metal with seminal albums like Paranoid and Master of Reality. His notorious stage antics — including biting a bat’s head off in 1982 — cemented his “Prince of Darkness” persona. After being fired from Sabbath in 1979, he launched a successful solo career with multi-platinum albums and hits like “Crazy Train.” Later, he earned a Grammy nomination and was twice inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: first with Sabbath in 2006, and then solo in 2024.
Health Battles and Last Performance
Osbourne had faced serious health issues in recent years, including Parkinson’s disease diagnosed in 2020, complications from a 2003 ATV accident, and a major neck surgery in 2022. Despite these challenges, he continued touring until announcing his retirement in 2023. Just two weeks ago, he gave what would be his final bow while seated onstage in Birmingham due to limited mobility — fulfilling his dream of closing the chapter in front of his hometown crowd.
Outpouring of Tribute and Mourning
Tributes have poured in from across the music world. Black Sabbath’s remaining members posted simply: “Ozzy Forever.” Legends like Elton John, Rod Stewart, Yungblud, Billie Joe Armstrong, Jason Momoa, Flavor Flav, Questlove, and more expressed their grief and appreciation for his enduring influence. Aston Villa Football Club, reflecting his local roots in Birmingham, also released a heartfelt statement.
End of an Era in Heavy Metal
Ozzy’s death symbolizes the closing of heavy metal’s founding era. He sold over 100 million records, shaped an entire genre with haunting vocals and dark theatricality, and remained a cultural icon through MTV’s The Osbournes reality show. His influence spanned six decades and inspired countless musicians. His family has requested privacy as they grieve and honor his legacy.
Conclusion
With the passing of Ozzy Osbourne at 76, the world has lost a foundational figure of heavy metal. From pioneering Sabbath’s thunderous sound to solo superstardom, TV fame, and health battles fought on global stages, his life was larger than any stage he graced. Though his voice is silent, his music roars on — and his legacy, forever immortalized as the Godfather of Heavy Metal, will resonate through generations.
