Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic heavy metal singer and co-founder of Black Sabbath, has died at the age of 76. His death comes just weeks after he reunited with his bandmates for a final farewell concert at Villa Park in Birmingham earlier this month.
In a statement, Osbourne’s family 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 last performance, which he described as his “final bow,” featured guest acts such as Metallica and Guns N’ Roses. Performing from a throne on stage due to health issues, he told the crowd, “You’ve no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Ozzy Osbourne is widely credited with pioneering heavy metal music. With Black Sabbath, he delivered timeless classics like Iron Man, Paranoid, and War Pigs. His solo career produced hits such as Crazy Train and Changes, solidifying his status as one of rock’s most influential figures.
Beyond music, Osbourne gained new fame in the early 2000s with MTV’s reality show The Osbournes, which showcased his life in Los Angeles with his wife, Sharon, and their children Kelly and Jack. His chaotic lifestyle, often filled with wild stories—including the infamous incident where he bit the head off a bat on stage—became part of his larger-than-life image.
Osbourne battled health issues in his later years, including Parkinson’s disease and complications from a serious fall in 2019. Despite these challenges, he made surprise appearances, including a performance at the closing ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Throughout his career, Osbourne was honored with inductions into both the UK Music Hall of Fame and the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a member of Black Sabbath and as a solo artist. He also earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Birmingham’s Broad Street Walk of Stars, five Grammy Awards, and numerous other accolades, including NME’s Godlike Genius award and Classic Rock’s Living Legend prize.
Ozzy Osbourne is survived by his wife Sharon, their children Aimee, Kelly, and Jack, his two older children Jessica and Louis from his first marriage to Thelma Riley, and his grandchildren.
