Heavy Metal Icon Ozzy Osbourne Dies at 76 After Final Bow in U.K.—Family Says He Was “Surrounded by Love”
The world of rock has lost a true titan. Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath and one of the most influential figures in music history, has died at age 76, according to multiple reports.
In a heartfelt family statement signed by wife Sharon and children Kelly, Jack, Aimee, and Louis, the Osbournes confirmed the loss:
“It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we share the passing of our beloved Ozzy Osbourne this morning. He was with family and surrounded by love. We ask for privacy as we grieve.”
Osbourne had long battled Parkinson’s disease, a diagnosis he publicly revealed in 2020 but had lived with since 2003. Despite his health battles—including a staph infection, spinal surgeries, and a serious fall—the Prince of Darkness took one final bow earlier this month, performing from a throne at Villa Park in the U.K.
Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham, England, he co-founded Black Sabbath in 1968 and helped pioneer heavy metal with timeless anthems like “Paranoid,” “Iron Man,” and “War Pigs.” After his departure from the band in 1979, Ozzy launched a wildly successful solo career, debuting with Blizzard of Ozz and giving fans the iconic hit “Crazy Train.” He was known for his outrageous stage antics—including the infamous bat incident in 1982—and was twice inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, both with Black Sabbath and as a solo artist.
Beyond music, Ozzy became a pop culture phenomenon through The Osbournes, MTV’s groundbreaking reality show that offered a raw look into his chaotic yet loving household. It also revealed the darker layers of his life, from substance struggles to deteriorating health.
Despite his challenges, Osbourne maintained humor and humility. “I’ve cheated death so many times,” he once told the L.A. Times. “If tomorrow you read ‘Ozzy never woke up,’ you’d say, ‘Well, it finally caught up with him.’”
Today, it has. But his legacy—and the thunder of his music—will echo for generations.
