Ozzy Osbourne, Heavy Metal Trailblazer, Dies at 76
Ozzy Osbourne, legendary Black Sabbath frontman and pioneering force behind heavy metal, has died at the age of 76, according to a statement from his family.
Family Confirms Passing
Osbourne passed away “surrounded by family and love,” his relatives said, adding, “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. We kindly ask for privacy during this difficult time.”
Death Follows Farewell Concert
The musician’s death comes just weeks after an emotional farewell performance at Villa Park in Birmingham, England—his hometown—where he reunited with original Black Sabbath members for the band’s final show. Despite health challenges, including advanced Parkinson’s disease, Osbourne performed perched on a custom throne, bolstered by an all-star cast of supporting acts including Metallica and Guns N’ Roses.
A Legacy Remembered
Osbourne, affectionately called the “Prince of Darkness,” leaves behind a musical legacy spanning more than five decades, over 100 million records sold, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions both as a member of Black Sabbath and as a solo artist, and a cultural shift that helped define rock music for generations.
He is survived by his wife Sharon, their three children, and two children from a previous marriage.