Rock Legend Ozzy Osbourne Dies Aged 76 — Just Weeks After Final Emotional Show
Rock icon and Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne has tragically died aged 76, his family confirmed in a statement this evening.
The Prince of Darkness passed away “surrounded by love” just weeks after his final-ever performance with his legendary bandmates at Villa Park, Birmingham — a city where his historic journey to stardom first began.
“It is with more sadness than words can convey that we report the passing of our beloved Ozzy Osbourne this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love,” said the Osbourne family in a statement.
A Last Farewell
Ozzy took to the stage for the final time on July 5, performing an emotional five-track set with original Black Sabbath members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. Fans called it “the greatest heavy metal show ever.”
He watched proudly as his daughter Kelly Osbourne got engaged backstage, calling it “a perfect final curtain.”
A Battle With Illness
Ozzy had battled Parkinson’s disease since his diagnosis in 2020, alongside a series of injuries — including a serious spinal injury in 2019 — which gradually limited his mobility and forced him to cancel tours.
Despite this, he remained defiant, famously saying earlier this year:
“My fans — that’s the thing I really miss. I haven’t given up yet.”
From Birmingham to Global Infamy
Born John Michael Osbourne in 1948, Ozzy rose from the industrial streets of Aston, Birmingham, working odd jobs before finding fame with Black Sabbath in 1969.
The band’s pioneering sound — dark riffs, occult lyrics, and Ozzy’s chilling vocals — revolutionised heavy metal. Their debut album Black Sabbath and the smash hit Paranoid catapulted them to global fame.
Ozzy’s wild stage antics — including the infamous moment he bit the head off a bat — earned him both notoriety and adoration from legions of fans.
Life Beyond Sabbath
Following his 1979 split from Black Sabbath, Ozzy launched a highly successful solo career, releasing Blizzard of Ozz in 1980 featuring Crazy Train. With support from his wife Sharon Osbourne, he became a solo metal megastar.
In the 2000s, he won over a new generation through reality TV, starring in The Osbournes, one of MTV’s most-watched series ever.
He later co-created Ozzfest, giving a platform to upcoming metal bands and solidifying his legacy as a godfather of rock.
Accolades & Legacy
- Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2006)
- Multiple Grammy Awards, including Best Metal Performance
- A string of platinum albums and iconic tours
- Credited with defining the sound and spirit of heavy metal
💬 Tributes Pour In
Fans and fellow artists have begun flooding social media with tributes. Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi wrote:
“We lost a brother. A true original. The heart and voice of Sabbath.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called Ozzy “a cultural titan who will forever echo in the soundtrack of Britain.”
🕊️ Final Words
Ozzy once said, “I’m not afraid of death — I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”
Today, the world says goodbye to one of music’s most unforgettable forces. Rest in power, Ozzy.
Fans are encouraged to leave messages and tributes below.
📞 If you need emotional support, contact Samaritans at 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
