Ozzy Osbourne, the larger-than-life “Prince of Darkness” who helped define heavy metal as the frontman of Black Sabbath and later soared to solo superstardom, has died at the age of 76. His family confirmed the news early Tuesday morning, stating he passed peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones.
Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England, Ozzy’s raw vocals and haunting stage presence powered Black Sabbath to global fame in the 1970s with timeless classics like Paranoid, Iron Man, and War Pigs. Together with guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward, the band laid the foundation for what would become heavy metal music.
After parting ways with Sabbath in 1979, Osbourne launched a wildly successful solo career, releasing hits like Crazy Train, Mr. Crowley, and No More Tears. His onstage theatrics, controversial antics, and unfiltered personality made him a rock legend—and a tabloid fixture.
In the early 2000s, Osbourne gained a new generation of fans through the MTV reality series The Osbournes, which followed his chaotic but lovable family life with wife Sharon and children Jack and Kelly. The show helped solidify Ozzy’s status as both a cultural icon and an unlikely household name.
Despite facing numerous health battles in recent years—including Parkinson’s disease, neck and spine surgeries, and a serious fall—Osbourne remained connected to his fans. Just weeks before his passing, he performed his final concert with Black Sabbath at Birmingham’s Villa Park on July 5, 2025, a fitting homecoming for the band that started it all.
Tributes from across the music world poured in Tuesday as artists, fans, and friends honored a man whose influence touched every corner of rock and roll.
Ozzy is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Sharon, his children, and a legacy that will echo through amplifiers for generations to come.
“I’m not afraid of dying. I just don’t want to be there when it happens,” Ozzy once famously joked. Today, the world bids farewell to a legend whose music—and mischief—will never be forgotten.
