Ozzy Osbourne, the dark‑haired frontman of Black Sabbath and the defining voice of heavy metal, has died at the age of 76. His family confirmed he passed on July 22, 2025, surrounded by loved ones and with dignity. “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love,” the family’s statement read, also asking for privacy at this time.
Less than three weeks earlier, Ozzy had delivered Black Sabbath’s farewell performance at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, on July 5, 2025. Backed by the original band lineup—including Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—it was a poignant homecoming and farewell for both the singer and the band, attended by over 40,000 fans and streamed to millions globally. Due to his Parkinson’s progress, Ozzy performed seated on a throne, still commanding the stage with a powerful presence.
Osbourne had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2003 and publicly revealed his diagnosis in 2020. By early 2025, his mobility had severely declined, and he could no longer walk unaided. In 2019, he survived a serious ATV accident that left lasting spinal injuries and required multiple surgeries.
Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, Ozzy co-founded Black Sabbath in 1968. The band’s self-titled 1970 debut is often regarded as the launch of heavy metal; classics like “Paranoid” and “Iron Man” reshaped rock forever.
Although fired from the band in 1979 due to substance abuse issues, Ozzy reinvented himself with a successful solo career, releasing hits such as “Crazy Train” and “Blizzard of Ozz.” He sold over 100 million albums worldwide, earned multiple Grammy Awards, and achieved a second act through the reality series The Osbournes.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice—first with Black Sabbath in 2006, and then as a solo artist in 2024. Just days before his final show, he and his bandmates were honored as Freemen of the City of Birmingham, marking a full-circle moment for the native of the working-class neighborhood where it all began.
Kelly Osbourne, his daughter, shared her grief on social media via an Instagram post, writing, “I feel unhappy, I am so sad, I lost the best friend I ever had”, quoting the song Changes—a duet she sang with her father. Fellow musicians and fans expressed sorrow and admiration. Black Sabbath’s official account posted a photo of Ozzy captioned “Ozzy Forever!”, and musicians across genres—including Metallica, UB40’s Ali Campbell, and Bill Ward—posted heartfelt messages of loss and gratitude.
Ozzy Osbourne lived a life of extremes: pioneering genre-defining music, enduring personal demons, and connecting with fans across generations. His final act—a throne-bound farewell in his hometown—felt equal parts celebration and closure. While critics and controversies followed him for decades, his impact as the “Prince of Darkness” and cultural icon cannot be overstated.
Tributes from Fans and Fellow Musicians
Musicians across genres paid emotional tribute:
- Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward remembered “more than a bandmate—he was our brother,” declaring: “There won’t ever be another like him.”
- Yungblud pledged to honor Osbourne by performing Black Sabbath’s “Changes” at every show for the remainder of his life, calling Ozzy his “lifelong hero.”
- Elton John, Robert Plant, Alice Cooper, and others celebrated his groundbreaking influence upon heavy metal and beyond.
2025 will be remembered as the year Ozzy departed, but his voice—those growls, screams, and oddly tender moments—remains immortal. He may have left the stage, but the music and myth endure.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon Osbourne, along with six children, including Kelly and Jack Osbourne, and is also a grandfather of ten. His first marriage to Thelma Riley produced three children: Jessica, Louis, and adopted son Elliot, before his 1982 divorce and subsequent marriage to Sharon that same year.
REELated:
Brian Wilson, Beach Boys genius and pop music pioneer, dies at 82
