Ozzy Osbourne, the electrifying frontman of Black Sabbath and a towering figure in the birth and evolution of heavy metal, has died at the age of 76. His family confirmed Tuesday that the music legend passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.
“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,” the Osbourne family said in a statement. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family’s privacy at this time.”
No cause of death was immediately disclosed.
Osbourne’s death comes just weeks after he reunited with his Black Sabbath bandmates, Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, and Bill Ward, for a final performance in their hometown of Birmingham, England. The concert, titled Back to the Beginning, marked their first performance together in two decades and was billed as Osbourne’s “final bow.”
A Rebel from the Start
Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England, Ozzy was the son of a toolmaker and a factory worker. He left school at 15 and worked odd jobs, including at a slaughterhouse. A failed stint in burglary landed him a short prison sentence after his father refused to pay his fine, a pivotal moment in his early life.
Inspired by The Beatles, particularly their 1963 hit “She Loves You,” Osbourne found his calling in music. In 1967, he joined forces with bassist Geezer Butler, guitarist Tony Iommi, and drummer Bill Ward to form what would eventually become Black Sabbath. Their 1970 debut album, recorded in just two days, introduced a darker, heavier sound that gave birth to heavy metal.
Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath. Ian Dickson/Redferns/Getty Images
With hits like Paranoid, War Pigs, and Iron Man, the band’s thunderous riffs and ominous themes resonated with fans and rattled mainstream sensibilities. Their use of the tritone, known since medieval times as “the Devil’s interval”, earned them a satanic reputation, something Osbourne both played into and pushed back against.
The Prince of Darkness
Dubbed the “Godfather of Heavy Metal,” Osbourne preferred the nickname “Prince of Darkness,” which he embraced in his public persona and on social media. His notorious onstage antics, including the infamous 1982 incident in Iowa where he bit the head off a bat, made him a countercultural icon and a target of controversy. He later claimed he believed the bat was a rubber toy.
The Villa Park crowd watch support acts, during British rock band Black Sabbath’s “Back to The Beginning” concert, Ozzy Osbourne’s final ever gig as Black Sabbath’s frontman at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on July 5, 2025. Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images
Osbourne’s battles with substance abuse were as legendary as his music. His addiction led to his firing from Black Sabbath in 1979. Nevertheless, he launched a massively successful solo career, releasing 11 studio albums and winning a Grammy in 1993 for I Don’t Want to Change the World. He reunited with Black Sabbath in 1997, and their 2013 album 13 topped the UK charts.
Family, Fame, and Reality TV
In 1982, Osbourne married Sharon Arden, daughter of his former manager Don Arden. Their rocky yet enduring relationship became public fodder through the hit MTV reality series The Osbournes (2002–2005), which portrayed the family’s chaotic, foul-mouthed but lovable home life. The show won a Primetime Emmy and catapulted Sharon, and their children Kelly and Jack, into their own media careers.
Despite fame and fortune, life behind the scenes was tumultuous. Sharon has spoken publicly about Ozzy’s violent outbursts during his worst periods of addiction. In a 2011 CNN interview, she admitted fearing for her life at times. Osbourne, reflecting in later years, confessed: “Looking back, I should have died a thousand times but never did.”
Health Struggles and Farewell
Beginning in 2019, Osbourne faced a series of health challenges, including complications from pneumonia, spinal surgeries, and a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis revealed in 2020. Though plagued by illness, he still performed occasionally, including a surprise appearance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games closing ceremony in Birmingham.
In a 2023 Rolling Stone interview, Osbourne said he dreamed of doing one final show to thank his fans. “If I drop down dead at the end of it, I’ll die a happy man,” he said.
His final wish came true with the Back to the Beginning concert. Bandmate Geezer Butler posted on Instagram, “Goodbye dear friend… So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston.” Iommi called the news “heartbreaking,” adding, “There won’t ever be another like him.” Drummer Bill Ward wrote, “You’re forever in my heart.”
A Lasting Legacy
Ozzy Osbourne’s career spanned more than five decades. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Black Sabbath in 2006 and collected multiple Grammys, including two in 2023 for best rock performance and album. His unmistakable voice, rebellious spirit, and relentless pursuit of expression shaped an entire genre and influenced generations of musicians.
Osbourne is survived by his wife Sharon, three children from his first marriage, and three children with Sharon: Jack, Kelly, and Aimee.
Though the stage has gone quiet, the Prince of Darkness’ legacy lives on, louder than ever.
Written By Rodney Mbua
