Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary lead singer of Black Sabbath and a pioneering figure in heavy metal, has passed away at the age of 76, shortly after his final concert. According to family statements reported by British media, he died peacefully "surrounded by love."
Osbourne co-founded Black Sabbath in 1968 in Birmingham, a city renowned for its industrial heritage, which became a key hub for the British metal movement. With their iconic use of devil imagery and powerful sound, Black Sabbath quickly gained recognition as one of the most influential and controversial metal bands of their time. Both the band and Osbourne as a solo artist were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, cementing their legacy in music history.
In the early 2000s, Osbourne’s fame extended beyond music with the reality TV show The Osbournes, featuring his wife Sharon and their children, Kelly and Jack. This show introduced a broader audience to his unique personality and lifestyle.
Despite his success, Osbourne faced significant health challenges, beginning with a near-fatal quad bike accident in 2003. He publicly revealed his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2020 and announced a hiatus from touring in 2023 following spinal surgery.
On July 6, Osbourne was honoured during a star-studded tribute concert at Villa Park, where the original Black Sabbath lineup reunited to perform for a crowd of around 40,000 fans. In an emotional speech, he expressed gratitude for the support he received, saying, "I don’t know what to say, man, I’ve been laid up for like six years. You have no idea how I feel — thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Osbourne’s intense and enduring influence on music and culture will be remembered by fans and peers alike.