The world of rock music is mourning the loss of one of its most legendary and influential figures. Ozzy Osbourne, the “Prince of Darkness” and frontman of Black Sabbath, has died at the age of 76, his family confirmed early Wednesday.
“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,” read a heartfelt statement from wife Sharon and children Kelly, Jack, Aimee, and Louis. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
Ozzy Osbourne’s passing comes just weeks after he performed a highly emotional “final bow” at Villa Park in the U.K. — a symbolic farewell to the stage that solidified his status as a rock god. Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham, England, Ozzy Osbourne rose to fame as the lead vocalist of Black Sabbath, co-founded in 1968. The band essentially gave birth to the heavy metal genre, producing timeless anthems such as “Paranoid,” “Iron Man,” and “War Pigs.” His theatrical, often shocking stage presence defined the rebellious spirit of a generation.
Following his departure from the band in 1979 due to struggles with substance abuse, Ozzy Osbourne launched a solo career that exploded with the 1980 release of Blizzard of Ozz, featuring his iconic hit “Crazy Train.” Over the decades, he released 13 solo albums and earned a rare double induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — with Black Sabbath in 2006 and as a solo artist in 2024.
Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy extended far beyond music. He became a cultural phenomenon with The Osbournes, MTV’s smash-hit reality show documenting his chaotic home life with wife Sharon and their children. Airing from 2002 to 2005, the show revealed both the humor and hardship behind the rock persona, including his ongoing battles with addiction and chronic health issues.
In 2020, Ozzy Osbourne revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a condition he had reportedly battled privately since 2003. “I’ve cheated death so many times,” he told The Los Angeles Times. “If tomorrow you read ‘Ozzy Osbourne never woke up this morning,’ you wouldn’t go, ‘Oh, my God!’ You’d go, ‘Well, it finally caught up with him.’”
His resilience became a hallmark of his later years, even as he endured multiple spinal surgeries, a staph infection, and the slow progression of Parkinson’s. Despite these setbacks, Ozzy Osbourne remained active and outspoken until the end.
Tributes are pouring in from fellow musicians, celebrities, and fans worldwide. Metallica, Sharon Stone, Gene Simmons, and countless others have taken to social media to honor the man who made “metal” mainstream.
Ozzy Osbourne’s music, spirit, and sheer force of personality changed rock forever. Though the Crazy Train has reached its final stop, his legacy roars on.
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