The Black Sabbath frontman and “Prince of Darkness” died Tuesday morning surrounded by family, marking the end of one of rock music’s most influential and colorful careers.
Ozzy Osbourne has died at age 76, his family confirmed on July 22, 2025. The heavy metal legend passed away Tuesday morning “surrounded by family and love,” according to a statement released by his wife Sharon and children Kelly, Jack, Aimee, and Louis.
The iconic musician’s death comes just weeks after his final performance with Black Sabbath at Birmingham’s Villa Park stadium on July 5, 2025. That farewell concert, titled “Back to the Beginning,” marked the first time in 20 years that the original Black Sabbath lineup had performed together.
Final Bow at Villa Park
Ozzy Osbourne’s last public appearance showcased both his enduring showmanship and declining health. Seated on a black throne throughout the 10-hour charity concert, he performed five solo songs before joining Black Sabbath members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward for four classic tracks.
The emotional performance drew 45,000 fans to his hometown stadium. “You have no idea how I feel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Osbourne told the crowd during the show. The event raised £140 million for three charities: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice.
Fellow rock legends Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, and Tool performed tribute sets throughout the day. The concert was livestreamed globally with a two-hour delay, peaking at 5.8 million concurrent viewers.
Parkinson’s Disease Battle
Ozzy Osbourne publicly revealed his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in January 2020, though he was actually diagnosed in 2003. The progressive neurological disorder severely impacted his mobility in recent years. By early 2025, he could no longer walk without assistance.
“Parkinson’s is a progressive disease. It’s not something you can stabilize,” Sharon Osbourne explained to The Sun in February 2025. “It affects different parts of the body and it’s affected his legs. But his voice is as good as it’s ever been”.
The disease causes involuntary shaking, slow movement, and muscle stiffness. Osbourne also experienced balance problems, memory issues, and other complications common with Parkinson’s. Despite these challenges, he remained determined to perform one final concert with Black Sabbath.
Black Sabbath Origins and Heavy Metal Pioneering
Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham on December 3, 1948, he co-founded Black Sabbath in 1968 with guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward. The band emerged from Birmingham’s industrial landscape to create the blueprint for heavy metal music.
Black Sabbath’s self-titled debut album, released on Friday the 13th in February 1970, went platinum in both England and the United States. Their early albums “Black Sabbath,” “Paranoid,” and “Master of Reality” are credited with defining the heavy metal genre.
Rolling Stone critic Lars Ulrich noted during Black Sabbath’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction that heavy metal could be subtitled “Music derivative of Black Sabbath”. The band’s dark themes, down-tuned guitars, and aggressive sound influenced countless metal acts that followed.
Solo Career Success
After being fired from Black Sabbath in 1979 due to substance abuse issues, Osbourne launched a remarkably successful solo career. His 1980 debut “Blizzard of Ozz” achieved massive commercial success, selling over 5.2 million copies in the United States alone.
The album featured classic tracks like “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley” that became metal anthems. His first seven solo albums all achieved multi-platinum status, with total solo career sales exceeding 70 million albums worldwide.
Osbourne’s 2022 album “Patient Number 9” marked a career renaissance, debuting at No. 1 on seven separate Billboard charts and earning him two Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album and Best Metal Performance. The album featured collaborations with Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and Tony Iommi.
Reality Television Fame
The MTV reality show “The Osbournes” transformed Osbourne from metal legend into mainstream pop culture icon. Running from March 2002 to March 2005, the show followed Ozzy’s domestic life with wife Sharon and children Kelly and Jack.
The series became MTV’s highest-rated program in the network’s history. The season two premiere drew 6.6 million viewers, representing an 84% increase from the first season. The show won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Nonfiction Program in 2002.
“The Osbournes” presented a comedic contrast to his “Prince of Darkness” persona, showing him as a bewildered but loving father struggling with everyday tasks. The series earned three Emmy nominations and multiple Teen Choice Awards.
Personal Life and Family
Ozzy married Sharon Arden in 1982, and she became his manager and driving force behind his career revival. Together they had three children: Aimee (born 1983), Kelly (born 1984), and Jack (born 1985).
From his first marriage to Thelma Riley (1971-1982), Osbourne had three additional children: Jessica, Louis, and adopted son Elliot. He was grandfather to eight grandchildren from his various children.
Sharon Osbourne played a crucial role in reviving his career after his Black Sabbath departure. She created the annual Ozzfest tour in 1996, which became one of heavy metal’s premier traveling festivals. The event ran almost annually through 2018, featuring Osbourne alongside emerging metal acts.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Ozzy Osbourne earned numerous accolades recognizing his musical contributions. He won five Grammy Awards as a solo artist, including Best Rock Album for “Patient Number 9” in 2023.
Black Sabbath earned two Grammy Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, with Osbourne inducted again as a solo artist in 2024.
Other honors included induction into the UK Music Hall of Fame, stars on both the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Birmingham Walk of Stars, and the MTV Europe Music Awards Global Icon Award. In 2015, he received the Ivor Novello Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Health Struggles and Resilience
Beyond Parkinson’s disease, Osbourne faced numerous health challenges throughout his career. A 2003 ATV accident left him with spinal injuries that required multiple surgeries. A 2019 fall at his Los Angeles home exacerbated these injuries, requiring additional procedures.
Despite these setbacks, Osbourne maintained his determination to continue performing and recording. He underwent extensive physiotherapy and worked with vocal coaches to prepare for his final concert. His resilience became legendary among fans and fellow musicians alike.
In recent years, he took more than 40 medications daily to manage his various conditions. However, he successfully overcame decades of substance abuse, claiming to be sober from drugs and alcohol for over four years before his death.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Ozzy Osbourne’s influence extends far beyond music into broader popular culture. His outrageous stage antics, including the infamous bat-biting incident in 1982, became part of rock mythology. These moments, while controversial, cemented his status as rock’s ultimate showman.
His distinctive vocal style—a haunting wail that could convey both terror and melody—set the template for countless metal singers. Songs like “Iron Man,” “Paranoid,” and “Crazy Train” transcended their genre to become sports arena anthems and cultural touchstones.
The reality show “The Osbournes” humanized his larger-than-life persona, showing audiences the man behind the myth. This duality—terrifying metal god and bumbling family man—made him uniquely relatable to multiple generations.
Business Empire and Ozzfest
Beyond performing, Osbourne built a successful business empire centered on heavy metal culture. Ozzfest, launched in 1996, became the genre’s most important annual event. The festival provided a platform for emerging metal bands while generating substantial revenue for Osbourne’s organization.
Sharon Osbourne’s management was crucial to this success. Her creation of Ozzfest and strategic career decisions transformed Osbourne from a has-been into an elder statesman of metal. The festival’s success demonstrated the commercial viability of heavy metal as mainstream entertainment.
Final Years and Reflection
In his final years, Osbourne expressed gratitude for his improbable survival and success. “For all my complaining, I’m still alive,” he told his SiriusXM radio show audience in early 2025. “I may be moaning that I can’t walk, but I look down the road, and there’s people that didn’t do half as much as me and didn’t make it”.
His determination to perform one final concert with Black Sabbath exemplified his lifelong dedication to his fans. Despite his physical limitations, he delivered an emotional farewell that celebrated both his legacy and the genre he helped create.
Industry Tributes and Remembrances
News of Osbourne’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the music industry. His influence on generations of metal musicians was evident in the star-studded lineup that performed at his final concert.
Metallica’s James Hetfield had declared at the Villa Park show: “Without Sabbath, there would be no Metallica. Thank you for giving us a purpose in life”. Such sentiments were echoed by countless artists who cited Osbourne and Black Sabbath as foundational influences.
The End of an Era
Ozzy Osbourne’s death marks the conclusion of one of rock music’s most remarkable careers. From his working-class Birmingham origins to global superstardom, his journey embodied both the excess and artistry of rock and roll.
His legacy encompasses the invention of heavy metal, millions of albums sold, reality television pioneering, and decades of entertainment. Most importantly, he remained authentic throughout his career, never losing the working-class sensibility that endeared him to fans worldwide.
The “Prince of Darkness” may have taken his final bow, but his influence on music and popular culture will endure for generations. As he once reflected, “My life has been unbelievable. You couldn’t invent my story if you tried”.
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