Ozzy Osbourne, widely credited as one of the founding figures of heavy metal music, has died at the age of 76. The Osbourne family confirmed his death on Tuesday, July 22, with a brief statement:
«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. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.»
His death follows a long period of declining health. This includes a public battle with Parkinson’s disease and mobility issues in recent years.
Final Appearance in Birmingham
Osbourne’s last public performance took place on July 5, 2025 during a farewell Black Sabbath concert in Birmingham. It was his first appearance with the band in two decades and his final live show. He performed seated, due to his condition, but the concert marked a symbolic return to his hometown and to the group that launched his music career. His career spanned for nearly 60 years.
In a video message played during the event, country singer Dolly Parton said:
«Good luck, God bless you, and we will see you somewhere down the road.»
Health and Retirement
In 2020, Osbourne revealed he had been living with Parkinson’s disease since 2003. «It’s not a death sentence,» he said at the time, though his health continued to deteriorate. By 2025, he was no longer able to walk unaided.
Speaking on his SiriusXM radio show in early 2025, Osbourne said:
«I can’t walk, but you know what I was thinking over the holidays? For all my complaining, I’m still alive… there’s people that didn’t do half as much as me and didn’t make it.»
His later years were marked by several surgeries and serious health incidents. Namely, a 2003 quad-bike accident, a fall in 2019, and spine operations in 2022. He also dealt with pneumonia and Covid-19.
Early Life and Black Sabbath
Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham in 1949, he grew up in a working-class household in Aston, one of six children. He left school at age 15, held a number of jobs, including in a car factory and a slaughterhouse. He also served time in prison for shoplifting after his father refused to pay his fine.
Osbourne’s music career began in 1967 with a short-lived band called Rare Breed. After that project ended, he and bassist Geezer Butler formed Earth with guitarist Tony Iommi and drummer Bill Ward. The band later changed its name to Black Sabbath.
Their debut album Black Sabbath (1970) was met with poor reviews but strong sales The album reached the UK Top 10. It is now considered one of the first and most influential heavy metal albums. That same year, Paranoid was released, featuring the tracks «Iron Man» and «War Pigs». Master of Reality followed in 1971, further solidifying the band’s reputation.
Solo Career and Public Persona
Osbourne was dismissed from Black Sabbath in 1979 and began a solo career. It started with releasing albums such as Blizzard of Ozz (1980) and Diary of a Madman (1981). His public image during the 1980s and 1990s included a reputation for erratic behaviour and substance abuse.
Fans began calling him the «Prince of Darkness,» a nickname he acknowledged came from the early reception of the band’s music, particularly the song «Black Sabbath,» which some listeners found unsettling.
In the early 2000s, Osbourne gained new visibility as part of the MTV reality series The Osbournes. The series documented his home life with his wife Sharon and their children.
Personal Life
Osbourne married Thelma Riley in the early 1970s. The couple had two children, Jessica and Louis, before divorcing in 1982. He later admitted that his substance use made him largely absent during that time.
In 1982, he married Sharon Arden, daughter of Black Sabbath’s then-manager Don Arden. The couple had three children: Aimee, Kelly and Jack. Sharon became Osbourne’s manager and played a key role in managing both his solo career and public image.
Their relationship, though long-standing, was not without difficulties. In 1989, Osbourne was arrested on suspicion of attempting to strangle Sharon while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. She did not press charges.
«If it wasn’t for Sharon,» he once admitted, «I’d be long dead.»
Tributes and Reactions
Condolences have poured in from across the music industry. AC/DC posted on Instagram:
«So sad! A great loss to all that loved him.»
Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward shared a tribute photo and message:
«Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls… Never goodbye. Thank you forever.»
Legacy
Ozzy Osbourne’s contributions to music are widely recognised. As the frontman of Black Sabbath, he helped define the sound and aesthetic of heavy metal. As a solo artist and public figure, he brought the genre into the mainstream and remained culturally relevant for decades.
His impact extended beyond music, influencing everything from fashion and stagecraft to reality television. Despite many controversies, his reputation as a founding father of metal remained intact.
He is survived by his wife Sharon and their children, as well as two children from his first marriage.
