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Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne has passed away at the age of 76. The Black Sabbath frontman’s death comes just weeks after the band’s “Back to the Beginning” farewell performance on July 5th at Villa Park in Birmingham, England. This marked the first time in two decades that Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward, and Geezer Butler reunited to perform some of their greatest hits.
While Osbourne received a Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis in 2019, the exact cause of death has not yet been released. His family issued the following 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.
Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis.”
Osbourne, known as “The Prince of Darkness,” rose to fame in the 1970s as the lead vocalist of Black Sabbath. With a distinctive vocal style and a larger-than-life stage presence, he helped propel the band to international stardom. Black Sabbath has sold over 70 million records, cementing their place as one of the most influential heavy metal bands of all time with iconic songs such as “War Pigs,” “Crazy Train,” and “Paranoid.”
The five-time Grammy winner was candid about his lifelong struggles with substance abuse, achieving periods of sobriety throughout his career. A two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (with Black Sabbath in 2006 and as a solo artist in 2024), Osbourne’s impact on music is undeniable.
Beyond his musical contributions, Osbourne became a pop culture icon. He will be remembered for moments like the infamous 1982 incident in Des Moines, Iowa, where he bit the head off a live bat, mistakenly believing it to be a toy.
The incident cemented his legendary status. Decades later, he reached a new generation of fans with his hit MTV reality series, The Osbournes, which offered an intimate look into his family life and became one of the network’s most-watched shows.
Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Marston Green, Warwickshire, England, Osbourne is survived by his wife and one-time manager, Sharon, whom he married in 1982, and his six children, including television personality Kelly Osbourne. No information regarding funeral arrangements has been released.