Ozzy Osbourne has died “surrounded by love” just a few weeks after he performed at Black Sabbath’s farewell show in Birmingham. He was 76.
The Osbourne family confirms his death 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,” they wrote.
“He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.
“Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis.”
The musician, who rose to prominence as the lead singer of the legendary heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath, had been battling health issues for several years, and in 2020, he revealed his emphysema diagnosis. Osbourne also had Parkinson’s disease and a number of other health complications following a fall in 2019.
Despite all the health issues and fears that he would be unable to perform at the recent farewell show, Osbourne appeared to a crowd of adoring fans on July 5th, delivering a moment that will live long in the memory as his final performance.
Known as ‘Prince of Darkness’, Osbourne was a vital figure in the development of hard rock music, founding Black Sabbath alongside Tony Iommi, Bill Ward, and Geezer Butler in 1968. They released their eponymous first album two years later, which found success in the UK charts, leading to the release of their seminal second album, Paranoid.
Black Sabbath sold over 70 million records worldwide during their tenure, naming themselves after the 1963 Mario Bava horror film of the same name. They maintained a dark and occult-themed aesthetic, and their notoriety was only aided by Osbourne’s unusual antics, like biting the head of a bat.
Osbourne was born in Marston Green on December 3rd, 1948, and he spent his early years working a range of rather unconventional jobs, including one in an abattoir.
The singer found himself in trouble with the law at various times, but he soon channelled his energy into music, and with Black Sabbath he recorded nine albums, with the last being 2013’s 13. In the meantime, he enjoyed a prolific solo career, releasing his first record, Blizzard of Ozz, in 1980, and his last, Patient Number 9, in 2022.
When Osbourne wasn’t singing, he could also be seen on television, starring in various reality shows with his family, including his wife, Sharon, well-known for her appearance as a judge on The X Factor. The Osbournes ran for four seasons, starting in 2002, which became one of the most popular shows on MTV.
Osbourne was one of rock’s most controversial yet beloved frontmen, although his intense dependency on drugs and alcohol led his bandmates to ask him to leave in 1979. His issues with substance abuse have been well-documented, and he was even arrested in 1989 after he strangled Sharon while under the influence.
Amid these personal struggles, he continued to make music and tour, even after repeatedly claiming that he was going to retire from live performances. However, with his final performance, ‘Back to the Beginning’, he officially marked a fitting end to a long and influential career, with the singer performing on a throne.
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