Ozzy Osbourne dead at 76

Ozzy Osbourne dead at 76
The Music Universe

The goth rocker last performed less than three weeks ago in England

Ozzy Osbourne has passed away at the age of 76. His family announced his death, stating he died “surrounded by love.”

“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,” his family shared in a statement today (Tues, July 22nd). “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis.”

John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne was born December 3, 1948. He was an English singer, songwriter, and television personality who rose to global fame as the frontman of the groundbreaking heavy metal band Black Sabbath, before achieving even greater success as a solo artist and reality television star. Often referred to as the “Prince of Darkness,” Osbourne’s career has spanned over five decades, leaving an indelible mark on music and pop culture.

Born in Aston, Birmingham, England, Osbourne grew up in a working-class family. He struggled with dyslexia and left school at age 15, working various odd jobs including construction, plumbing, and even a stint in a slaughterhouse. As a teenager, he engaged in petty crime, leading to a brief prison sentence for burglary at 17. Despite these early challenges, a deep love for music, particularly the Beatles, inspired him to pursue a career as a vocalist.

In 1968, Osbourne co-founded the band that would become Black Sabbath with bassist Geezer Butler, guitarist Tony Iommi, and drummer Bill Ward. Initially named Polka Tulk Blues and then Earth, they settled on Black Sabbath, a name inspired by a Boris Karloff film, which aligned with their dark, heavy sound. Their self-titled debut album in 1970, with its thunderous riffs, dark lyrics, and foreboding atmosphere, is widely credited with pioneering the heavy metal genre.

Black Sabbath achieved immense success throughout the 1970s with iconic albums like Paranoid in 1970, Master of Reality in 1971, and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath in 1973, releasing anthems such as “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid.” Osbourne’s theatrical stage presence and “Prince of Darkness” persona contributed to their controversial yet immensely popular image. However, escalating drug and alcohol issues led to his dismissal from the band in 1979.

Following his departure from Black Sabbath, a period of despair and addiction ensued. However, with the encouragement and management of his future wife, Sharon Arden, Osbourne launched a remarkably successful solo career. His debut solo album, Blizzard of Ozz in 1980, featuring the incredible guitarist Randy Rhoads, was a commercial triumph, yielding hit songs like “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley.”

His solo career continued to flourish throughout the 1980s and beyond with albums such as 1981’s Diary of a Madman, 1983’s Bark at the Moon, 1986’s The Ultimate Sin, and 1991’s No More Tears. He cultivated an image of a rebellious, sometimes shocking performer, famously biting the head off a dead bat onstage. Over the years, he collaborated with a string of talented guitarists, including Jake E. Lee and Zakk Wylde, who became a long-standing collaborator. His solo work earned him multiple Grammy Awards and sold millions of albums worldwide, cementing his status as a metal icon.

Ozzy married Thelma Riley in 1971 and had two children, Jessica and Louis, and also adopted her son Elliot. Their marriage ended in divorce. In 1982, he married Sharon Arden, who had become his manager. Together, they had three children: Aimee, Kelly, and Jack.

In the early 2000s, Osbourne, along with Sharon, Kelly, and Jack, found a new level of fame with the highly popular MTV reality show The Osbournes that aired from 2002-2005. The show offered a humorous and often chaotic glimpse into their unconventional family life, introducing Ozzy to a new generation of fans and showcasing his endearing, if somewhat eccentric, personality. Aimee chose not to participate in the series.

Ozzy Osbourne continued to record and tour, even as he faced significant health challenges, including a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in 2019. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Black Sabbath in 2006, and as a solo artist in 2024, one of the few artists to achieve this dual honor. He received numerous other accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance and the Godlike Genius award at the NME Awards.

On July 5th, Osbourne and Sabbath took their final on-stage bow with Back to the Beginning. Ozzy performed five songs from his solo career before he was joined by his Sabbath bandmates for a four-song set.

The monstrous all-star event also featured Metallica, Slayer, Guns N’ Roses, Pantera, Gojira, Alice In Chains, Halestorm, Lamb Of God, Anthrax, and Mastodon, among many others, including surprise appearances by Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and British pop star Yungblud.

The concert is set to be released theatrically next year ahead of a physical release, pared down to 100 minutes.

The rocker is also slated to release his final memoir, Last Rites, this fall.

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

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