The music world is mourning the loss of one of rock’s most legendary voices. Ozzy Osbourne, known globally as the “Prince of Darkness” and founding vocalist of Black Sabbath, has died at the age of 76.
His death occurred just weeks after his final live performance in his hometown of Birmingham, England. On July 5, Osbourne took the stage at Villa Park for the aptly named Back to the Beginning concert. The show reunited him with fellow Black Sabbath co-founders Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. Despite significant health challenges, Osbourne performed a great set while seated on a custom-built “bat throne.”
The concert raised an estimated £140 million (approximately $190 million USD) for multiple charities, including Cure Parkinson’s, Acorns Children’s Hospice, and Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Born John Michael Osbourne in 1948, Ozzy emerged from Birmingham’s working-class neighborhoods to become a defining voice of heavy metal. With Black Sabbath, he helped launch a genre through albums like Paranoid and Master of Reality. His solo career brought chart-topping hits like “Crazy Train,” “Mr. Crowley,” and “No More Tears.”
His impact extended far beyond music. In the early 2000s, The Osbournes became one of the first major celebrity reality shows, offering a chaotic, unfiltered look at family life that predated today’s influencer culture.
Osbourne had battled serious health issues in recent years, including a diagnosis of a rare form of Parkinson’s disease, as well as spinal injuries from a fall in 2019. He underwent multiple surgeries and announced in 2024 that his mobility issues would likely prevent further touring.
He passed away peacefully surrounded by family, according to a statement given to The Sun.
Memorials have already begun appearing outside venues in Birmingham and Los Angeles, as fans gather to pay tribute with candles, signs, and Osbourne’s music playing into the night.
His final performance will be released as both a documentary and a concert film in early 2026. In addition, a biopic based on his life, described by Jack Osbourne as “raw and unfiltered,” is currently in development.
Ozzy Osbourne leaves behind an indelible legacy of defiance, theatricality, and genre-defining music. May he rest in peace.
