Ozzy Osbourne, Heavy Metal Icon and Black Sabbath Frontman, Dies at 76

Ozzy Osbourne, the trailblazing frontman of Black Sabbath and one of the most iconic voices in heavy metal, died Tuesday at the age of 76, just weeks after his farewell show. His family confirmed his passing in a statement from Birmingham, England, saying he was surrounded by loved ones.

“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’s privacy at this time.”

In 2020, Osbourne revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease following a serious fall.

Known as the “Prince of Darkness,” Osbourne rose to fame as the lead singer of Black Sabbath, a band widely credited with inventing heavy metal. Their 1969 debut album Black Sabbath reshaped rock music, introducing a darker, heavier sound that reflected the unrest of its time.

Their follow-up, Paranoid (1970), solidified their legacy with metal anthems like “Iron Man,” “War Pigs,” and the title track “Paranoid.” Though the latter peaked at just No. 61 on the Billboard Hot 100, it became one of the band’s most enduring songs.

“Black Sabbath are the Beatles of heavy metal,” wrote Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro in a 2010 Rolling Stone tribute. “Anybody who’s serious about metal will tell you it all comes down to Sabbath.”

Despite his success, Osbourne’s battles with substance abuse led to his firing from Sabbath in 1979. He quickly launched a massively successful solo career, starting with Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman, which produced hits like “Crazy Train” and “Flying High Again.”

Over the decades, Osbourne worked with top-tier guitarists like Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee, and Zakk Wylde, continuing to produce multiplatinum albums such as Bark at the Moon, The Ultimate Sin, and No More Tears.

Known as much for his controversies as his music, Osbourne famously bit the head off a bat during a performance and faced criticism from conservative groups and religious leaders. But he remained unapologetic, using satire to fire back — notably with the song “Miracle Man,” mocking televangelist Jimmy Swaggart after the preacher’s fall from grace.

Osbourne’s image evolved in later years when he starred in the early-2000s reality show The Osbournes, revealing a gentler, more humorous side as a father and husband.

He was twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — once with Black Sabbath and once as a solo artist — and continued to tour and record into his 70s.

“I’ve had an amazing life,” Osbourne once said. “And I’ve done it my way — the Ozzy way.”

His impact on music, culture, and generations of rock fans remains unmatched.