Ozzy Osbourne, Heavy Metal Icon, Dies at 76
Birmingham, UK (July 22, 2025) — Legendary frontman of Black Sabbath and solo sensation Ozzy Osbourne passed away peacefully at age 76, surrounded by his family at his Buckinghamshire home, the family confirmed.
Osbourne died just 17 days after delivering his final performance on July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, reuniting with Black Sabbath for the first time in 20 years in a sold‑out farewell charity concert.
The family statement read:
“It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning… He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
A Life That Redefined Heavy Metal
Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Aston, Birmingham, Ozzy rose to fame as the original Prince of Darkness, pushing Black Sabbath’s doom-inspired sound into the mainstream and shaping the very foundations of heavy metal with classics like Paranoid, Iron Man, and War Pigs.
Despite being dismissed from the band in 1979 due to substance abuse issues, he launched a hugely successful solo career with timeless anthems including Crazy Train, Bark at the Moon, and Changes. He later became a reality‑TV personality on The Osbournes and co‑founded the Ozzfest festival.
Farewell Performance and Legacy
- July 5, 2025: Ozzy took the stage from a throne at Villa Park, performing solo material and reuniting with Black Sabbath for their farewell show. The concert featured performances from acts like Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, and many others—and raised millions for charity.
- His bandmate Tony Iommi later reflected that despite debilitating Parkinson’s, Ozzy “held out” for this final performance—a courageous finale to his storied career.
Ozzy’s Parkinson’s disease, first publicly disclosed in 2020 and diagnosed back in 2003, had severely impacted his health in recent years.
Tributes from Around the World
Musicians, entertainers, sports teams, and fans worldwide have paid homage to his legacy:
- Elton John, Rod Stewart, Questlove, Jason Momoa, and many others shared moving tributes.
- Adam Sandler, reflecting on their cameo together in Little Nicky, called Ozzy “badass” and celebrated his free‑spirited life.
- Sports franchises such as Aston Villa FC, and notably the St. Louis Blues, who honored his legacy after he was once seen wearing their jersey, joined in mourning.
- Kelly Osbourne, his daughter, shared heartfelt lyrics from their duet “Changes” after his passing, expressing deep grief over losing her father and best friend.
End of an Era
Ozzy Osbourne’s journey spanned over five decades, traversing groundbreaking musical innovation, cultural controversies, and beloved family life under the spotlight. He leaves behind his wife Sharon Osbourne, six children (including Kelly, Jack, Aimee), and a legacy etched into the very heart of rock and metal.
His farewell concert and final recordings including his last single “Gods of Rock n Roll”—stand as a poignant reminder of his enduring talent.
Ozzy’s voice, spirit, and unmistakable presence will reverberate through generations. As fans and friends continue to reflect, there’s little doubt: Ozzy Forever.
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