Ozzy Osbourne, the pioneering voice of heavy metal and lead singer of Black Sabbath, has died aged 76. His family confirmed the news in a statement released this morning.
“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.”
Born in Birmingham, England, in 1948, Osbourne helped lay the foundations of heavy metal as the frontman of Black Sabbath, a band whose dark, distorted riffs and occult-inspired lyrics reshaped the sound and image of rock in the early 1970s.
From Birmingham streets to global stages
Osbourne rose to fame with Black Sabbath’s self-titled 1970 debut album, followed by genre-defining records like Paranoid, Master of Reality and Vol. 4. His raw, menacing vocal tone became one of the most recognisable in rock history. Tracks like “Iron Man,” “War Pigs” and “Paranoid” helped establish Sabbath as one of the most influential bands of their era.
He was fired from the band in 1979 due to substance abuse but went on to carve out a solo career that was equally impactful. Albums like Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman delivered hits such as “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley,” cementing his legacy as a solo icon.
A life of excess, resilience and reinvention
Osbourne’s reputation for wild behaviour followed him throughout his life. He infamously bit the head off a bat onstage in 1982 during a performance in Des Moines, Iowa, an act he later said he thought was a toy. He also battled addiction for decades, facing multiple stints in rehab while remaining a prolific touring artist.
Despite his health issues, Osbourne stayed active in music. In 2019, he revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and later suffered serious injuries from a fall at home, which required extensive surgery. These setbacks forced the cancellation of several planned tours.
A cultural icon beyond music
Beyond music, Osbourne became a pop culture figure thanks to the hit MTV reality show The Osbournes, which aired from 2002 to 2005. The show offered an unfiltered look into his chaotic home life with wife Sharon and children Kelly and Jack, introducing him to a new generation of fans.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Black Sabbath in 2006, and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. Over the decades, he sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, combining both Sabbath and solo work.
A legacy that redefined heavy metal
Ozzy Osbourne didn’t just perform heavy metal, he helped invent it. His music and persona shaped the genre’s sound, style and spirit. Often called the ‘Prince of Darkness’, he leaned into that title with theatrical flair, but always had a self-deprecating sense of humour beneath the surface.
As news of his death spreads, tributes have already begun pouring in from across the music world, with artists, fans and peers acknowledging his unmatched influence on modern rock and metal.
“Ozzy was more than a frontman. He was a force of nature,” said Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich in a statement. “The music he made changed everything.”
