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Ozzy Osbourne, Legendary Black Sabbath Frontman and Metal Icon, Dies at 76 After Battle With Parkinson’s

BIRMINGHAM, UK — Ozzy Osbourne, the pioneering voice of heavy metal and co-founder of Black Sabbath, passed away Tuesday at the age of 76 after a long and courageous fight with Parkinson’s disease.

The news was confirmed by the BBC, just two weeks after Osbourne appeared at Black Sabbath’s highly emotional farewell concert, “Back to the Beginning,” in their hometown of Birmingham. The tribute event, headlined by rock royalty including Metallica, Pantera, and Guns N’ Roses, became his final curtain call.

In a heartfelt statement, the Osbourne family said:

“It is with more sadness than words can express that we announce the passing of our beloved Ozzy Osbourne. He was with his family, surrounded by love. We ask that you respect our privacy during this incredibly difficult time.”

Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2020, Osbourne had already retired from touring in 2023 after dealing with complications from a spinal injury sustained in a 2018 fall. In his announcement, he admitted:

“The thought of disappointing my fans really f—s me up more than you’ll ever know. Never thought my touring days would end like this.”

From Local Pubs to Global Arenas

Born in Birmingham in 1948, Osbourne began his musical journey in 1968 with what would become Black Sabbath — a band that reshaped the sound of rock forever. With their doom-laden riffs, occult-inspired lyrics, and unmatched intensity, Sabbath laid the blueprint for modern heavy metal. The band’s name was taken from a Boris Karloff horror film, setting the tone for their dark legacy.

Albums like Paranoid (1970) and Master of Reality (1971) became genre-defining classics. Despite internal chaos and Ozzy’s departure in 1979, he rebounded with a chart-smashing solo career that introduced guitar legends Randy Rhoads and Zakk Wylde to the world.

His solo success outpaced Sabbath commercially, and he became a mainstay of metal culture, headlining his own iconic festival, Ozzfest, throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.

Reality TV Fame & Cultural Impact

In the early 2000s, Osbourne unexpectedly rebranded himself for a new generation through the MTV reality hit “The Osbournes”, turning his chaotic family life into must-see TV. With wife Sharon and children Kelly and Jack, the show offered a raw and often hilarious glimpse into the life of a rock icon off-stage.

Critics described Ozzy as the bizarre but lovable “Goth Dad,” stumbling through domestic life with warmth, profanity, and unpredictability. He became a pop culture meme before memes existed — and audiences couldn’t get enough.

Controversy, Chaos & Immortality

Osbourne was no stranger to headlines — and not always the good kind. He infamously bit the head off a dove in a 1981 record label meeting, and a year later, accidentally bit the head off a bat live on stage in Iowa. Both incidents turned him into a tabloid legend — but also a symbol of metal’s madness and mystery.

Despite a history of drug abuse, outrageous behavior, and public stumbles, Osbourne remained a beloved figure in music, never losing his connection with fans. Whether as a frontman or solo act, Ozzy transcended generations, becoming one of the most recognizable names in music history.

Final Words From the Prince of Darkness

In a 2002 interview with Rolling Stone, Ozzy reflected:

“I’ve done a lot for a simple working-class guy. I made people smile, I made them wonder, ‘Who the f— is this guy?’ But I’ll be remembered — no complaints.”

Ozzy is survived by his wife Sharon and six children: Jessica, Louis, and Elliot from his first marriage to Thelma Riley; and Aimee, Kelly, and Jack from his second.

As fans across the globe mourn the loss of a rock god, one thing is certain:
Ozzy Osbourne wasn’t just the Prince of Darkness — he was the heartbeat of heavy metal.