Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath, trailblazing solo artist, and unlikely reality TV star, died today at the age of 76. Known as
Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath, trailblazing solo artist, and unlikely reality TV star, died today at the age of 76. Known as the “Prince of Darkness,” Osbourne leaves behind a towering legacy that helped shape the sound, image, and attitude of heavy metal music.
Osbourne passed away peacefully surrounded by family at his Los Angeles home, according to a statement from wife and longtime manager Sharon Osbourne. His death comes just weeks after a sold-out farewell concert in his hometown of Birmingham, England.
From Birmingham to Black Sabbath
Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Marston Green, Warwickshire, and raised in the gritty working-class streets of Birmingham, Ozzy grew up in a modest home with five siblings. School was a struggle—he was later diagnosed with dyslexia—and he spent time working odd jobs before music changed the course of his life.
In 1968, Osbourne joined forces with guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward to form a band that would soon become Black Sabbath. Their 1970 self-titled debut album introduced a revolutionary sound: dark, heavy, riff-driven, and unapologetically menacing. That same year, their second album, Paranoid, delivered classics like “Iron Man” and “War Pigs,” catapulting the band to global fame and giving birth to the heavy metal genre.
A Wild Ride and a Solo Rebirth
Osbourne’s erratic behavior and struggles with substance abuse led to his dismissal from Black Sabbath in 1979. It could have been the end of his career—but instead, it launched a remarkable reinvention.
His solo debut Blizzard of Ozz (1980) proved he was far from finished. Featuring hits like “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley,” the album was a massive commercial success. Over the next two decades, he released a string of multi-platinum albums, including Diary of a Madman (1981), Bark at the Moon (1983), and No More Tears (1991). His powerful voice, paired with standout guitarists like Randy Rhoads and Zakk Wylde, kept him at the forefront of metal for over 40 years.
Despite numerous controversies—including the infamous bat-biting incident in 1982—Osbourne remained an enduring icon in a genre known for burning out its stars.
A Surprising Turn to Television
In 2002, Osbourne’s life took another unexpected turn with the launch of The Osbournes on MTV. The fly-on-the-wall reality series chronicled his chaotic home life with Sharon and their children, Jack and Kelly. Audiences were captivated by the contrast between the wild rocker and the befuddled, soft-spoken father figure.
The Osbournes TV show
The show became a cultural phenomenon, drawing millions of viewers and turning the Osbourne family into unlikely pop stars. Ozzy’s candid humor and often incomprehensible mutterings made him a household name among a new generation that hadn’t grown up with Black Sabbath.
Health Struggles and a Final Goodbye
Osbourne faced numerous health challenges later in life. A 2019 fall aggravated old spinal injuries, forcing him to cancel tours. In 2020, he publicly revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, though he vowed to continue recording and performing as long as possible.
That vow culminated on July 5, 2025, when Osbourne returned to Birmingham for a final epic concert billed as “Back to the Beginning.” The show, held at Villa Park, reunited him with his Black Sabbath bandmates and featured performances by Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Iron Maiden. Though seated due to his condition, Ozzy’s voice soared, and 45,000 fans sang along in what became a heartfelt farewell.
Seventeen days later, the world lost one of its most distinctive voices.
Ozzy at last concert
Tributes Pour In
Tributes to Osbourne flooded in from across the music world and beyond. Black Sabbath issued a brief but poignant message: “Ozzy Forever.” Elton John called him “a revolutionary force in music and a true original.” Metallica’s James Hetfield said, “Without Ozzy, there is no metal. There is no us.”
Others paying tribute included Rod Stewart, Questlove, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, Tom Morello, and countless fans who credited Osbourne’s music with changing their lives.
Even institutions that once clashed with him, such as The Alamo and the city of San Antonio—where he was famously banned after a drunken incident in 1982—issued statements honoring his life and legacy.
A Lasting Legacy
Over his five-decade career, Osbourne sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice (with Black Sabbath in 2006 and as a solo artist in 2024), and received multiple Grammy Awards.
He also co-founded Ozzfest, the touring festival that introduced countless metal bands to a global audience.
His autobiography, I Am Ozzy, became a best-seller, praised for its raw honesty and humor. And while his antics and persona earned him the title “Prince of Darkness,” those close to him often described him as warm, deeply loyal, and surprisingly sensitive.
Survived by Family and Millions of Fans
Ozzy Osbourne is survived by his wife Sharon, children Aimee, Kelly, Jack, Louis, Jessica, and Elliott, and a legacy that spans generations. In a world of auto-tuned stars and PR-managed careers, Ozzy remained defiantly, unapologetically himself—a working-class kid from Birmingham who became a global rock god.
Whether crooning “Mama, I’m Coming Home” or growling through “Paranoid,” Ozzy always gave fans everything he had.
Today, the stage is darker. The mic is silent. But the music—and the madness—live on.
Rest in peace, Ozzy. You made the world scream, laugh, and feel alive.
