Ozzy Osbourne dies at 76: Black Sabbath legend and 'Prince of Darkness' remembered

Ozzy Osbourne, iconic lead singer of Black Sabbath and reality TV personality, has died at the age of 76. His family confirmed the news on Tuesday in a 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,” the statement read. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family's privacy at this time.” The cause of death has not been shared publicly.

His death comes just weeks after Ozzy’s emotional final performance in Birmingham, England, where he reunited with his Black Sabbath bandmates Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and Tony Iommi for a special event titled Back to the Beginning. It marked Black Sabbath’s first show together in 20 years and was billed as Osbourne’s “final bow.”

Early Life and Musical Beginnings


Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England, Ozzy Osbourne was the son of a toolmaker and a factory worker. He left school at 15 and took on odd jobs, including work at a slaughterhouse and construction sites. He even served a short prison sentence for burglary, as recounted in his 2009 autobiography I Am Ozzy.

A Beatles fan at heart, he credited their song She Loves You as the inspiration that sparked his musical journey. In 1967, he joined forces with bassist Geezer Butler, guitarist Tony Iommi, and drummer Bill Ward to form what would eventually become Black Sabbath. Their debut album, Black Sabbath, was recorded in just two days and laid the foundation for what would become heavy metal music.

Rise to Fame and the Birth of Heavy Metal


Black Sabbath's second album, Paranoid, topped UK charts and cemented the band's place in rock history. Their dark sound gave rise to a genre that would shape music for decades. Osbourne was dubbed the "Godfather of Heavy Metal", though he preferred calling himself the "Prince of Darkness."

In 1979, Ozzy was fired from Black Sabbath due to ongoing struggles with drugs and alcohol. He launched a successful solo career, releasing 11 studio albums. He later rejoined Black Sabbath in 1997.

The Bat Incident and Controversy


One of the most infamous moments in rock history came during a 1982 concert in Iowa, when Ozzy bit the head off a live bat, a stunt he said he believed was fake. “Every time I do an interview they ask me ‘What do bats taste like, Ozzy?’ Like my mother-in-law’s cooking,” he joked on NBC’s Today Show in 1987.

Ozzy Osbourne’s wild behaviour and substance abuse often landed him in trouble and strained relationships. His drug use contributed to his divorce from his first wife, Thelma Mayfair.

Reality TV and Pop Culture Fame


In the early 2000s, Ozzy gained a new generation of fans through MTV’s The Osbournes, a reality series that showed his chaotic family life. The show won a 2002 Primetime Emmy and helped launch careers for Sharon, Kelly, and Jack Osbourne.

Health Struggles in Later Life


In 2019, Ozzy Osbourne faced multiple health challenges, including pneumonia, a severe fall, and later, a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Complications from surgeries left him with mobility issues. He continued to perform when he could, including a surprise appearance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. But by 2023, he acknowledged that touring was no longer physically possible. “If I can’t continue doing shows on a regular basis, I just want to be well enough to do one show where I can say, ‘Hi guys, thanks so much for my life.’ That’s what I’m working towards,” he told Rolling Stone.

Awards and Achievements


Ozzy Osbourne earned multiple Grammy Awards, including one for his solo track I Don’t Want To Change The World in 1993, and two more in 2023 for Best Rock Album and Best Rock Performance. With Black Sabbath, he also received several honours, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2006.


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