By Mark Kennedy, Angus Thompson and Nick Newling
Ozzy Osbourne, the gloomy, demon-invoking lead singer of the pioneering band Black Sabbath who became the throaty, growling voice of heavy metal, has died, just weeks after his farewell show. He was 76.
The death of the “prince of darkness”, born John Michael Osbourne in 1948, prompted an outpouring of grief from the music industry’s biggest names, while his family spoke of its grief in a public statement on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST).
Ozzy Osbourne performing during his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, last year.Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
“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,” the statement said.
Fellow Briton Elton John posted on social media that he was saddened to hear of “dear friend” Osbourne’s death, describing the late singer as “a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods – a true legend”.
Metal band Metallica also shared their grief on X, saying Osbourne was a “hero, icon, pioneer, inspiration, mentor, and, most of all, friend”.
“Ozzy and Sharon believed in us and transformed our lives and careers. He taught us how to play in the big leagues while at the same time being warm, welcoming, engaging, and all around brilliant,” the band added.
Fellow metal act Aerosmith also paid tribute: “From Black Sabbath to his solo work, Ozzy redefined what it meant to be heavy. He did it all with heart, grit, and that wild spirit only he could bring.”
Meanwhile, the Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood posted on X that he was “so very sad” to learn of Osbourne’s death.
Queen guitarist Sir Brian May praised Osbourne’s final performance fronting Black Sabbath at a July 5 concert in Birmingham, the industrial English city where Osbourne was born and where the band later formed in 1968, as a “glorious” send off.
“I’m grateful I was able to have a few quiet words with him after the show. And happy to know he passed peacefully with his loving family close by. But the world will miss Ozzie’s unique presence and fearless talent,” May wrote on Instagram.
In 2020, Osbourne revealed he had Parkinson’s disease after suffering a fall. “I had to have surgery on my neck, which screwed all my nerves, and I found out that I have a mild form [of the disease],” Osbourne, then 71, told Good Morning America following the diagnosis.
Either clad in black or bare-chested, the singer was often the target of parents’ groups for his imagery and once caused an uproar for biting the head off a bat. Later, he would reveal himself to be a doddering and sweet father on the reality TV show, The Osbournes.
Black Sabbath’s 1969 self-titled debut LP has been likened to the Big Bang of heavy metal. It came during the height of the Vietnam War and crashed the hippie party, dripping menace and foreboding. The cover of the record was of a spooky figure against a stark landscape. The music was loud, dense and angry, and marked a shift in rock ‘n’ roll.
The band’s second album, Paranoid, included such classic metal tunes as War Pigs, Iron Man and Fairies Wear Boots. Both albums were voted among the top-10 greatest heavy metal albums of all time by readers of Rolling Stone magazine.
The band has been widely credited as being a key influence for major acts since.
“Black Sabbath are the Beatles of heavy metal. Anybody who’s serious about metal will tell you it all comes down to Sabbath,” Dave Navarro of the band Jane’s Addiction wrote in a 2010 tribute in Rolling Stone.
Sabbath sacked Osbourne in 1979 for his legendary excesses, like showing up late for rehearsals and missing gigs. “We knew we didn’t really have a choice but to sack him because he was just so out of control. But we were all very down about the situation,” wrote bassist Terry “Geezer” Butler in his memoir, Into the Void.
Fans gathered in Birmingham weeks ago for Black Sabbath’s final concert.Credit: AFP
Osbourne was twice inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – once with Sabbath in 2006 and again in 2024 as a solo artist.
Despite the infamous bat episode, Osbourne later earned the adoration of animal rights activists for his promotion of certain animal welfare causes, including most recently, Save the Chimps.
In recent years, Osbourne has been spotted walking with a cane, often with the help of family or assistants.
In 2023, he released a statement on a tour cancellation saying “in all good conscience, I have now come to the realisation that I’m not physically capable of doing my upcoming European/UK tour dates, as I know I couldn’t deal with the travel required”.
The original Sabbath line-up reunited for the first time in 20 years in July 2025 in the UK for what Osbourne said would be his final concert. “Let the madness begin!” he told 42,000 fans while performing in Birmingham.
He later paid tribute to his supporters.
“I don’t know what to say, man. I’ve been laid up for like six years. You have no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Osbourne said. “You’re all … special. Let’s go crazy, come on.”
AP
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