Heavy metal pioneer Ozzy Osbourne has died at the age of 76, just weeks after an emotional final performance alongside his original Black Sabbath bandmates.
In a statement released by his family, they said: “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.”
Osbourne’s final public appearance took place on 5 July at Villa Park in Birmingham, where he addressed a crowd of 42,000 fans from a stage throne, declaring, “You’ve no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart.” The farewell concert, titled “Back to the Beginning,” featured tributes from musical icons including Metallica and Guns N’ Roses, and marked the first reunion of Black Sabbath’s original lineup—Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—in two decades.
Tributes have since flooded in from across the music world. Metallica shared a photo with Osbourne accompanied by a broken heart emoji. Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood described the concert as a “lovely goodbye,” while Sir Elton John called Osbourne a “huge trailblazer” and “one of the funniest people” he had ever met.
Born John Michael Osbourne on 3 December 1948 in Aston, Birmingham, Osbourne rose to fame as the frontman of Black Sabbath, earning the title “Godfather of Heavy Metal.” The band’s 1970 debut album helped shape the heavy metal genre, with classics like “Iron Man,” “Paranoid,” and “War Pigs” becoming generational anthems.
Though ousted from Black Sabbath in 1979 due to substance abuse, Osbourne went on to enjoy a highly successful solo career, releasing acclaimed albums such as Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman. His outrageous stage antics—including the infamous moment when he bit the head off a bat—cemented his place in rock mythology.
In the early 2000s, Osbourne reached mainstream audiences through the hit reality series The Osbournes, which chronicled his life with wife Sharon and their children in Los Angeles.
Despite years of health challenges, including a Parkinson’s diagnosis, Osbourne remained active, making surprise appearances such as his performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games closing ceremony in Birmingham.
Over his five-decade career, Osbourne received numerous accolades, including five Grammy Awards, induction into both the UK and US Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and multiple lifetime achievement honours.
He is survived by his wife Sharon; their children Aimee, Kelly, and Jack; his children Jessica and Louis from his first marriage to Thelma Riley; and several grandchildren.
Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy as a musical innovator and cultural icon endures, with fans and fellow artists worldwide mourning the loss of one of rock’s most influential figures.
