Ozzy Osbourne, the pioneer of heavy metal and lead singer of the band Black Sabbath, passed away on July 22 at the age of 76, just a few weeks following his final performance in Birmingham, England.
The singer, musician and reality TV star was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease back in 2020 after suffering a fall — an illness that drastically challenged his overall health and mobility. According to several reports, Osbourne was striving to reduce his dependence on all medications toward the end of his life, including his Parkinson’s prescriptions.
He spent his final moments in his hometown of Birmingham, England, surrounded by his family. Celebrities from across the globe have posted in remembrance for the heavy metal legend, in addition to expressing condolences for his family.
“So sad to hear the news of [Osbourne’s] passing away. He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods – a true legend. He was also one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love,” Elton John wrote on Instagram beneath a timeless photograph of the two British artists.
The star rose in recognition as the lead vocalist of Black Sabbath in the 1970s. Alongside his fellow band members, he produced some of the 20th century’s biggest hits like “Crazy Train”, “Paranoid” and “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”. While struggling with a severe alcohol and drug addiction, he was fired from the band in 1979, a time in which he made his debut as a solo artist with his album “Blizzard of Ozz”.
Osbourne unveiled thirteen studio albums independently, seven of which acquired platinum certifications in the U.S. In 1997, he resumed his place in Black Sabbath where he continued to produce best-selling hits. He was dubbed the “Prince of Darkness” and sold over 100 million albums within his lifetime. In 2006, Black Sabbath was enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and later Osbourne as a solo artist in 2024.
In addition to receiving global awards in Europe and the U.K., the TV show “The Osbournes” began airing in 2002, featuring Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne and two of their children, Kelly and Jack. The series displayed an alternative side of the rockstar; a doting father and a husband to Sharon of 42 years.
Stage presence was a quintessential element of his identity. Draped in black coats and capes, dark eye makeup, long dark hair and gothic embellishments, his appearance was not only shocking, but symbolic. Back in 1982, he bit the head off a bat thrown on stage by a fan while performing in Des Moines, Iowa, sending him to the hospital for rabies shots. Despite being labeled ‘weird’ and even ‘demonic’ by critics, he emphasized that he was not promoting evil but rather urging us to confront it, as that darkness lies within everyone.
“I think there’s a wild man in everybody. All I am is a conductor of mayhem,” Osbourne once said.
Prior to his final public appearance, Sharon described the intent of the last Black Sabbath concert to be “… a chance to say goodbye to his friends, to his fans, and he feels there’s been no full stop. This is his full stop,” said Sharon Osbourne in a BBC interview.
It was indeed an opportunity to say goodbye as he sang his heart out sitting on his vampy throne. “Since Osbourne’s death was announced…he’s gained over 6 million monthly listeners on the platform as a solo artist, jumping from about 12.4 million to 18.7 million,” as indicated by The Hollywood Reporter.
As mentioned by People, performing gave him “…a reason to get up in the morning.” And in choosing to return to the stage one last time, Ozzy reminded the world that his spirit — like his sound — was truly unbreakable.
