Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath and one of heavy metal’s most recognizable voices, has died at the age of 76. He passed away Tuesday morning in London, surrounded by family, according to a statement released by his publicist. Known for his dark persona, wild stage antics, and groundbreaking music, Osbourne leaves behind a legacy that helped shape the sound and spirit of heavy metal.
Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England, Ozzy rose from a working-class upbringing to global fame. In 1969, he co-founded Black Sabbath alongside guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward. Their 1970 debut album, Black Sabbath, followed by Paranoid, introduced a new, heavier sound that would define a genre. Songs like “Iron Man,” “War Pigs,” and “Paranoid” became staples of metal music.
Despite massive success, Osbourne was fired from the band in 1979 due to substance abuse issues. He rebounded with a solo career that included hits like “Crazy Train,” “Bark at the Moon,” and “No More Tears,” often performing alongside guitar virtuoso Randy Rhoads. His first solo album, Blizzard of Ozz, went multi-platinum and solidified his place as a solo star.
Ozzy’s onstage behavior — including biting the head off a bat — shocked audiences and fueled his “Prince of Darkness” image. He faced legal battles over controversial lyrics, but always defended his work as misunderstood and rooted in personal pain and experience.
In the early 2000s, a new generation discovered Osbourne through the MTV reality show The Osbournes, which featured his family’s chaotic daily life. The show became a hit, showing a softer, more humorous side of the rocker.
Osbourne was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019 and struggled with multiple health issues in his later years, including spinal surgeries and a serious fall. Despite his physical setbacks, he continued to record music, releasing Patient Number 9 in 2022, which won multiple Grammy Awards and climbed charts in both the U.S. and U.K.
He reunited with Black Sabbath several times, including for a final album, 13, and a farewell tour. In July 2025, he played his last live show in the U.K. with a star-studded lineup honoring his career.
Ozzy Osbourne was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice — once with Black Sabbath in 2006, and again as a solo artist in 2024. He sold over 100 million records in his lifetime.
He is survived by his wife Sharon, their children Aimee, Kelly, and Jack, and three children from a previous marriage. Though his body eventually gave out, Ozzy’s voice, music, and legacy will live on — louder than ever.