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Ozzy Osbourne, a towering figure and one of the most recognizable voices in rock music, has passed away at the age of 76.
The Birmingham-born musician, as the frontman of Black Sabbath, is widely credited with pioneering the heavy metal genre, thanks to iconic tracks such as “Iron Man” and “Paranoid.”
Just under three weeks ago, the self-proclaimed “Prince of Darkness” performed a final farewell concert in his hometown, joined by numerous artists he had inspired, including Metallica and Guns ‘n’ Roses.
In a statement released by his family, they shared: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Ozzy Osbourne this morning. He was surrounded by his family and immense love.”
While the family did not disclose the cause of death, Osbourne had faced a series of health challenges, including a Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2019.
A family spokesperson confirmed to BBC News that Osbourne died in the UK.
Born John Michael Osbourne, he left school at 15, taking on various low-paying jobs and serving a brief prison sentence for burglary before embarking on his career in music.
After singing with several local bands, he co-founded Black Sabbath with guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward in the late 1960s.
They developed a distinct sound, drawing inspiration from the blues but characterized by a slower tempo, amplified volume, and a more ominous tone, often referencing the occult.
Widely regarded as pioneers of heavy metal, they released their self-titled debut album in 1970, followed by platinum-selling records such as “Paranoid” and “Master of Reality” throughout the decade.
After being dismissed from the band in 1978, he launched a highly successful solo career with the 1980 album “Blizzard of Ozz,” featuring the hit single “Crazy Train.”
His subsequent album, “Diary of a Madman,” released the following year, achieved even greater success, selling over five million copies.
Throughout his career, Osbourne cultivated a reputation for his wild and unpredictable live performances, exemplified by the infamous (and possibly exaggerated) story of him biting the head off a bat during a concert, mistaking it for a toy thrown on stage by a fan.
His consumption of alcohol and drugs was legendary, often leading to erratic behavior. The rock band Mötley Crüe recounted an incident where Osbourne, in a competition to determine who was the most debauched, snorted a line of ants from a hotel floor.
However, his addiction also had a darker side. In 1989, he awoke in jail after being arrested for the attempted murder of his then-wife, Sharon.
Following his arrest, Osbourne was ordered by the court to undergo six months of rehabilitation. Believing in his remorse, Sharon chose not to press charges.
Speaking in the 2020 documentary “The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne,” she recalled: “I told him, ‘I don’t want the money but if you do this again, either I am going to kill you or you are going to kill me. And do you want that for the kids?’”
In the 1990s, his wild persona underwent a transformation thanks to the MTV reality show “The Osbournes,” which depicted the star as a well-meaning, yet often bewildered, patriarch of a chaotic household.
He maintained that this portrayal reflected his true personality.
“All the stuff onstage, the craziness, it’s all just a role that I play, my work,” he told The New York Times in 1992. “I am not the Antichrist. I am a family man.”
“The Osbournes” also catapulted his wife and manager, Sharon, and their children, Jack and Kelly, to stardom, with whom he collaborated on a chart-topping rendition of the Black Sabbath song “Changes” in 2003.
However, the same year, he sustained a spinal injury in 2003 following a crash involving an all-terrain vehicle (ATV).
The injury was further aggravated by a fall in 2019, necessitating multiple extensive surgeries.
In 2020, Osbourne disclosed his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and largely withdrew from touring after performing at the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
Nevertheless, he was determined to make one final appearance, culminating in his last concert at Birmingham’s Villa Park on July 5th – a short distance from his childhood home in Aston.
The musician sang while seated on a black throne, clapping, waving his arms, and adopting wild-eyed expressions as he performed hits such as “Crazy Train,” “Mr. Crowley,” and “War Pigs.”
At times, he seemed overwhelmed. “You have no idea how I feel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he expressed to the audience – and nearly six million more who tuned in to the live stream.
Speaking on stage, Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo stated that the artists on the bill “would all be different people” without Osbourne and Black Sabbath.
“That’s the truth. I wouldn’t be up here with this microphone in my hand without Black Sabbath. The greatest of all time.”
A host of stars including Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood and Metallica have paid tribute to Osbourne.
On social media, Black Sabbath co-founder Tony Iommi said he couldn’t “really find the words” adding he and the other band members have “lost our brother”.
Fellow band member, bassist Terence “Geezer” Butler, said “Goodbye dear friend – thanks for all those years – we had some great fun. Four kids from Aston – who’d have thought, eh?”
Elton John said Osbourne was “a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods – a true legend”.
Singer Yungblud, who performed a cover of Changes at the farewell concert with Black Sabbath in Birmingham just weeks ago, hailed Osbourne as a “legend” and said “I didn’t think you would leave so soon”.
Queen guitarist Sir Brian May said “the world will miss Ozzie’s unique presence and fearless talent”, adding that he was grateful to have shared “a few quiet words with him” after Osbourne’s final show.
Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong posted a photo of the singer on Instagram and wrote: “No words. We love you Ozzy.”
Sir Rod Stewart said: “Bye, bye Ozzy. Sleep well, my friend. I’ll see you up there – later rather than sooner.”
Former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar, who was among musicians who performed during Black Sabbath’s final show, said Osbourne “will always be a one of a kind, a true rock legend”.
Osbourne is survived by his wife and their three children, Aimee, Kelly and Jack Osbourne, and several grandchildren. He also is survived by three children from a previous marriage: Jessica, Louis and Elliot.
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