Tony Iommi posted, “ just can’t believe it! My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park.
It’s just such heartbreaking news that I can’t really find the words, there won’t ever be another like him. Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother.
My thoughts go out to Sharon and all the Osbourne family. Rest in peace Oz. Tony”
Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary “Prince of Darkness,” has died at the age of 76, marking the end of one of rock music’s most iconic and controversial lives. Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England, Ozzy rose from working-class obscurity to global superstardom, transforming music, fashion, and culture along the way.
He first made his mark as the frontman of Black Sabbath, the pioneering heavy metal band formed in 1968. With songs like “Paranoid,” “Iron Man,” and “War Pigs,” Ozzy helped lay the foundation for a genre that would influence generations. His haunting vocals, wild stage presence, and defiant attitude gave Black Sabbath their unmistakable sound and image, often drawing fire from critics and religious groups but earning the undying loyalty of fans around the world.
After leaving Sabbath in 1979, Ozzy launched a solo career that defied expectations. Teaming up with legendary guitarist Randy Rhoads, he released albums like Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman, spawning hits such as “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley.” Despite personal struggles with addiction, lawsuits, and tragedy—including the loss of Rhoads in a 1982 plane crash—Ozzy remained resilient, continuing to release music and perform for decades.
His success extended into pop culture with the reality TV show The Osbournes, which offered a chaotic, humorous look into his family life and turned him into a household name beyond music. Whether biting the head off a bat onstage or delivering surprisingly heartfelt interviews about his regrets and love for his family, Ozzy remained unpredictable and human—never far from controversy, but always authentic.
In recent years, Ozzy faced a number of health challenges, including a Parkinson’s diagnosis, multiple surgeries, and a spinal injury that eventually forced him to stop touring. Yet until the end, he expressed his desire to return to the stage, stating that performing was his true life’s purpose.
Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy is one of rebellion, innovation, and survival. He brought heavy metal to the mainstream, broke every rule in the book, and remained deeply loved by fans from all walks of life. He was a rock god, a family man, a survivor, and a symbol of enduring spirit in the face of darkness.
He is survived by his wife Sharon, children Aimee, Kelly, and Jack, and millions of fans around the world who will continue to shout at the devil and ride the crazy train in his honor.
Rest in peace, Ozzy. You changed music forever.
