Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne dead at 76
The heavy metal superstar died “surrounded by love” just days after what had been billed as his final performance ever.
Rock god Ozzy Osbourne has died at the age of 76.
His passing comes after the British heavy metal superstar played his last gig with his Black Sabbath bandmates just weeks ago.
In a statement, the Osbourne family said he died “surrounded by love”.
“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 privacy at this time.”
It was signed: “Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis.”
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Sources close to the family told the Daily Mail that his passing was “unexpected to be this soon”, but his children were so grateful to have been there for his last days.
Black Sabbath also paid tribute to their late lead singer on Instagram after the news broke, writing alongside an image of him onstage: “Ozzy Forever.”
The music industry is also in mourning the news, with tributes for the late rocker flooding social media.
“Sony Music is deeply saddened by the passing of our legendary recording artist Ozzy Osbourne,” read a statement from Sony Music Entertainment, which owned Epic Records, the same label Osbourne was singed to before his death.
“He redefined the sound and spirit of rock music and became an unmistakeable voice and icon for his millions of fans around the world!”
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Elton John also paid his respects to his good friend and fellow musician.
“He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods — a true legend,” John posted on Instagram alongside a happy snap of them. “He was also one of the funniest people I’ve ever met.”
Fellow British singer Rod Stewart also shared his condolences.
“Bye, bye Ozzy,” Stewart posted to Instagram. “I’ll see you up there — later rather than sooner.”
The official X page of the late musician Jimi Hendrix also tweeted: “Farewell to the Prince of Darkness.”
Kiss co-founder Gene Simmons said he was sad to hear the news.
“Sad to report Ozzy has passed away. He was a giant. Admired and loved by millions of fans worldwide. Prayers and condolences go out to the Osborne family,” he tweeted.
Actor and rapper Ice-T also praised Osbourne for his stellar career.
“RIP Ozzy. Right after the recent huge Black Sabbath final concert. Sad. In my opinion the Creators of Heavy Metal,” he tweeted.
Osbourne, known as the “Prince of Darkness” for his wild on stage antics, performed his final gig with his Black Sabbath bandmates just this month on 5 July in Villa Park in Birmingham.
The band – including Osbourne, Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward – played a short five-song set, which was touted as “the greatest heavy metal show ever”.
At the time, he made it clear it would be his final performance as a result of his deteriorating health related to Parkinson’s disease, which he’d first opened up about in 2020.
It was the first time he had performed with Black Sabbath for 20 years.
Tributes have begun pouring in for Osbourne, with Whitesnake founder and lead singer David Coverdale writing on X: “My Sincere Condolences To Sharon, The Family, Friends & Fans.”
Actor Jason Momoa also posted a picture of himself with Osbourne and his wife, Sharon, with the caption: “All my aloha @sharonosbourne and ohana. So grateful. RIP.”
Devastated fans also flooded social media to express their grief, with one writing that “heavy metal lost an icon today.”’
The musician had been forced to cancel his tour in recent years after a series of injuries. He publicly shared the news of his Parkinson’s disease in 2020 alongside his wife, Sharon, on Good Morning America.
During the joint interview, Osbourne admitted he could no longer hide his health struggles.
“It’s Parkin 2 which is a form of Parkinson’s. There are so many different types of Parkinson’s,” Sharon explained at the time.
“It’s not a death sentence by any stretch of the imagination but it does affect the nerves in your body.”
Osbourne added that he’d been in “a terrible state” around the time of his diagnosis and then described his treatment and symptoms.
“I’m on a host of medication, mainly for the surgery,” he said.
“I’ve got numbness down this arm and my legs are going cold. I don’t know if it’s the Parkinson’s or what. That’s the problem.”
By February 2023, Osbourne confirmed in a heartbreaking statement that he was retiring from touring amid increasing health issues.
“Never would have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way,” he wrote in the emotional announcement.
“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.”
Global success
Osbourne – born John Michael Osbourne on 3 December 1948 – grew up in a humble two-bed house in Birmingham with three older sisters and two younger brothers.
After being diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia as a child and dropping out of school aged 15, Osbourne had a string of jobs before dabbling in petty crime, which saw him serve two months in prison for burglary.
He later described how he fell in love with music after hearing The Beatles’ She Loves You in 1963 and at 19, joined up with bassist Geezer Butler in their first group, Rare Breed, in 1967.
That band split but the pair late reunited alongside Tony Iommi and Bill Ward in Polka Tulk Blues – which would later be known as Black Sabbath.
They became a global music phenomenon and developed a cult following, thanks to their unique new style, which included Osbourne’s iconic screeching vocals.
However, drama within the group saw most of the original line-up quit, including Osbourne in 1978 amid his battle with drug abuse.
After carving out a successful solo career, Osbourne returned to Black Sabbath in 1999.
In 2006, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Controversies and family life
Known for his wild behaviour, Osbourne became a rock idol with his controversial antics including biting the head off a bat and snorting a line of ants while on tour, and urinating on a US war memorial wearing one of his wife’s dresses.
His fame skyrocketed even further in 2001 when he and his family launched reality show The Osbournes on MTV, which went on to become the network’s most-watched show ever.
Osbourne is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sharon, and their children, Aimee, Jack and Kelly, as well as two children from his previous marriage with Thelma Mayfair.
The couple had first met in 1970 when Sharon was 18 years old and her father, Don Arden, had been Black Sabbath’s manager.
They began dating in 1979 after Osbourne left the band and Don began managing his solo career.
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