On July 22, 2025, the music world lost an icon with the passing of John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne at the age of 76. Known as the “Prince of Darkness,” Osbourne’s family confirmed his death in a heartfelt statement, noting he was surrounded by loved ones. While no official cause of death was disclosed, Osbourne had battled health challenges, including Parkinson’s disease and complications from a 2003 quad bike accident, which had significantly impacted his mobility in recent years.
Born on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England, Osbourne rose from humble beginnings to become a defining figure in heavy metal. As the frontman of Black Sabbath, formed in 1968 with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, he helped pioneer the genre with albums like Black Sabbath (1970), Paranoid (1970), and Master of Reality (1971). These records, with anthems like “Iron Man,” “War Pigs,” and “Paranoid,” laid the foundation for heavy metal, blending raw, industrial sounds with dark, introspective lyrics. Despite early criticism from reviewers who dismissed the band as “Satanic claptrap,” Black Sabbath’s influence grew, selling over 75 million albums worldwide.
Osbourne’s tenure with Black Sabbath ended in 1979 due to his struggles with substance abuse, but he rebounded with a wildly successful solo career. His debut solo album, Blizzard of Ozz (1980), featuring hits like “Crazy Train,” marked the start of a prolific run, with 13 studio albums and over 55 million records sold. Managed by his wife, Sharon Osbourne, whom he married in 1982, Ozzy became a larger-than-life figure, known for outrageous antics like biting the head off a bat during a 1982 concert in Des Moines, Iowa, mistakenly thinking it was a prop.
Beyond music, Osbourne’s fame soared with The Osbournes, a groundbreaking MTV reality show (2002–2005) that showcased his chaotic yet endearing family life with Sharon and their children, Kelly and Jack. The series humanized the rock star, revealing a lovable, if eccentric, patriarch, and won an Emmy, introducing him to a new generation.
Osbourne’s final performance, the “Back to the Beginning” concert on July 5, 2025, in Birmingham, was a triumphant farewell. Reuniting with Black Sabbath’s original lineup for the first time since 2005, he performed seated on a bat-adorned throne due to his health, joined by acts like Metallica and Guns N’ Roses. The event, attended by 42,000 fans and livestreamed to 5.8 million, raised funds for The Cure Parkinson’s Trust and local charities. Osbourne’s spirited delivery, including his iconic cry, “I am Iron Man: go fucking crazy!” left an indelible mark.
Despite health struggles, Osbourne remained defiant, dismissing death hoaxes and rumors of decline as recently as July 2025. His daughter Kelly debunked false claims about his health, emphasizing his resilience. Osbourne’s legacy endures through his music, his influence on countless bands, and Ozzfest, the festival he and Sharon built into a ‘90s metal juggernaut. Survived by Sharon, children Aimee, Kelly, Jack, Jessica, Elliot, and Louis, and his grandchildren, Osbourne’s life was a testament to raw talent and unyielding spirit. As Metallica posted on X, “Long Live the Oz!”