Ozzy Osbourne dies at 76 after final show in Birmingham
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Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath and a pioneer of heavy metal, has died at 76 shortly after delivering an emotional farewell concert in his hometown of Birmingham.
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Jack Black, left, and Ozzy Osbourne appear during the 39th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Legendary heavy metal frontman Ozzy Osbourne has died at the age of 76, just weeks after delivering a powerful final performance in his hometown of Birmingham, England. His family confirmed his passing in a heartfelt statement released Tuesday.
"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," the statement read. "He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time."
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019 and having faced declining health in recent years, including the loss of mobility, Osbourne remained active in the music world until the very end. On July 5, he performed one final show at Villa Park, home of Premier League club Aston Villa. Dubbed the "Back to the Beginning" concert, the event served as a full-circle tribute to his roots in Birmingham, the birthplace of Black Sabbath and heavy metal itself. Performing seated on a throne, Osbourne was joined by original Black Sabbath members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward in a poignant reunion.
As the set closed with their iconic hit "Paranoid," Osbourne addressed thousands of emotional fans: "It’s the last song ever. Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle... Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
Metal’s dark prince
Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, Ozzy left school at 15 and worked various odd jobs before teaming up with Butler and eventually forming Black Sabbath in 1968. The band’s dark, sludgy sound broke from the conventions of hard rock and helped birth the heavy metal genre, catapulting Osbourne to international fame.
Nicknamed the "Prince of Darkness," he became infamous for his wild stage persona, most notably biting the head off a bat during a performance in the 1980s, an act that would become one of rock’s most talked-about moments. Despite a tumultuous career filled with controversies, health battles, and personal struggles, Osbourne also enjoyed a hugely successful solo career and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, once with Black Sabbath in 2006 and again as a solo artist in 2024.
Read more: Ozzy Osbourne to leave "f**king crazy" US for UK, blames gun violence
His passing marks not only the end of a remarkable personal journey but also the closing of a major chapter in rock history. Tributes have poured in from across the music world, with artists, fans, and fellow legends honoring a man whose influence transcended generations.
Osbourne's legacy as a pioneer, provocateur, and icon will continue to resonate in every riff and roar of the genre he helped forge.
