Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of Black Sabbath and one of the most recognisable figures in the history of heavy metal, has died at the age of 76. His family confirmed his passing in a statement Tuesday morning, saying he was “with his family and surrounded by love.” No cause of death has been announced, though Osbourne had dealt with significant health issues in recent years, including a Parkinson’s diagnosis and multiple spinal surgeries.
Osbourne’s death comes less than three weeks after what turned out to be his final live performance, a farewell concert held July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham. The event, titled Back to the Beginning, featured a brief reunion with the original Black Sabbath lineup—Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, and Bill Ward—alongside sets from Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Slayer. Osbourne performed seated, but remained characteristically defiant, declaring to the crowd: “I am Iron Man. Go f***ing crazy!”
Credit : ROSS HALFIN
Born John Michael Osbourne in Aston, Birmingham, in 1948, his early life was shaped by economic hardship and personal trauma. In his 2009 memoir I Am Ozzy, he recounted a troubled adolescence that included a short stint in prison for burglary. Music became both an escape and a purpose, sparked by hearing The Beatles as a teenager. That influence led him to form Black Sabbath in 1968, a band whose sludgy, ominous sound would go on to define metal as a genre.
Their self-titled debut and follow-up, Paranoid, remain touchstones of heavy music, with tracks like “War Pigs” and “Iron Man” still referenced and covered decades later. Osbourne was fired from the band in 1979 due to escalating substance abuse but launched a wildly successful solo career soon after. Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman, featuring guitarist Randy Rhoads, cemented his legacy with hits like “Crazy Train.”
Beyond music, Osbourne became a household name thanks to The Osbournes, the early-2000s MTV reality series that portrayed the chaos of family life in unexpectedly tender and absurd moments.
Tributes have poured in from across the music world. Metallica, Pearl Jam, Rob Zombie, and Elton John were among those to honour him. The remaining members of Black Sabbath released a short statement: “Ozzy Forever.”
A film adaptation of his final concert is scheduled for release next year.
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