Ozzy Osbourne, “Prince of Darkness,” Dies at 76

Ozzy Osbourne—the iconic frontman of Black Sabbath and one of rock music’s most unmistakable figures—has passed away at the age of 76, according to an announcement by his family. Known for his dark stage persona and thunderous influence on heavy metal, Osbourne died on July 22, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. Though the family did not release a specific cause of death, his health struggles in recent years—particularly a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in 2020 and complications from a serious quad-bike accident—have been well-documented.

Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England, he rose to fame in the late 1960s as co-founder and lead singer of Black Sabbath, a band often credited with defining the heavy metal genre. With ear-catching riffs and dark, haunting lyrics, Sabbath made a global impact with landmark albums like Paranoid, Master of Reality, and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath  .

From Sabbath to Solo Stardom—and Beyond

After substance abuse led to his firing from Black Sabbath in 1979, Ozzy launched a hugely successful solo career. His 1980 debut, Blizzard of Ozz, and follow-up Diary of a Madman introduced genre-defining tracks like “Crazy Train” and “Flying High Again,” cementing his reputation outside of Sabbath  .

He reunited with the band for the much-lauded 2013 album 13 and later headlined a star-studded farewell concert, Back to the Beginning, on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham. Despite being wheelchair-bound due to Parkinson’s, he delivered a powerful final performance alongside his original bandmates, marking an emotional send‑off in front of 45,000 fans and a global livestream audience.

A Legacy Forged in Rock, Reality, and Resilience

Throughout his career, Ozzy was never without controversy. From biting the head off a bat onstage in 1982 to his candid, raw presence in the reality TV series The Osbournes, he revealed himself as both a performer and personality. He also converted a near-fatal 2003 quad-bike accident into a second lease on life, though the injuries and subsequent Parkinson’s diagnosis significantly hampered his mobility.

Beyond the music, Ozzy built an empire with his wife and manager Sharon, founding the Ozzfest tour and releasing a dozen solo albums that sold over 100 million copies worldwide  . He was inducted twice into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame—first with Black Sabbath in 2006 and solo in 2024—and honored with awards like MTV’s Global Icon and a star on Birmingham’s Walk of Stars  .

Despite declining health, Ozzy remained dedicated to his music and fans. His final concert proceeds supported charitable organizations fighting Parkinson’s and aiding children’s health in his native city  . He is survived by his wife Sharon and six children, including Aimee, Kelly, and Jack Osbourne.

This is a developing story.