Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath frontman and two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, has died at the age of 76. The news of his passing was confirmed on Tuesday afternoon (July 22) via a statement given to The Guardian by Osbourne’s family.
“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 reads. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family’s privacy at this time.”
On July 5, Osbourne took the stage for Back to the Beginning, a charity concert promoted as Black Sabbath’s final concert. Held at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, Osborne performed alongside the band’s original lineup of guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward. Osbourne sang through the group’s extensive songbook of hits while seated on a throne, unable to walk due to advanced-stage Parkinson’s disease. According to NBC News, an estimated 45,000 were in attendance while 5.8 million fans watched the historic show via livestream.
Known as the “Prince of Darkness,” Osbourne led Black Sabbath into rock and roll history until his issues with substance abuse forced his bandmates to kick him out of the band in 1979. He quickly launched a successful solo career, releasing 13 studio albums, including his final full-length project, Patient Number 9, in 2022.
He became a new type of pop culture figure in the early 2000s, thanks to the success of MTV’s reality series The Osbournes. Fans both new and old got a look into the heavy metal legend’s personal life alongside his wife, Sharon, and his two children, Kelly and Jack.
Editor’s Note: This is a developing story. Additional information will be added.
