Legendary Black Sabbath Frontman Ozzy Osbourne Dies at 76

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, July 22, 2025 | 3:27pm CT

Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy Osbourne, the trailblazing heavy metal singer whose dark vocals helped define a genre and whose eccentric persona made him a household name, has died at the age of 76. His family confirmed the news in a statement Tuesday morning, saying the iconic rocker passed away peacefully, 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 privacy at this time." The statement was signed by his wife Sharon and children Jack, Kelly, Aimee, and Louis.

Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England, Osbourne rose to fame as the lead singer of Black Sabbath, a band formed in 1968 that would become synonymous with heavy metal. Songs like "Paranoid," "War Pigs," and "Iron Man" brought the band global fame, though early critics dismissed their music as "Satanic claptrap." Over time, Black Sabbath's sludgy guitar riffs and Osbourne's haunting vocals would come to define an entire genre.

"His raw, shrieking wail fit with the band's guitar-driven approach and meshed with the dark sounds and emotions that fans were looking to connect with," said Mark Tavern, a music professor at the University of New Haven.

Osbourne left Black Sabbath in 1979 amid drug and alcohol struggles but quickly reinvented himself as a solo artist. Guided by his future wife and manager Sharon Arden, he launched a solo career that began with the multiplatinum Blizzard of Ozz in 1980, featuring hits like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley." His solo success continued with Diary of a Madman and a long list of albums that cemented his place in rock history.

His antics were as legendary as his music. From biting the head off a bat on stage in 1982 to snorting live ants in a bizarre competition with M¶tley Cr¼e, Osbourne's unpredictable behavior became part of his mystique. Scientists even studied his genetic makeup in 2011 to understand his remarkable tolerance to drugs and alcohol.

Despite his wild image, Osbourne found renewed fame and relatability in the 2000s when The Osbournes, a reality series about his family, aired on MTV. The show revealed a softer side of the so-called "Prince of Darkness" and brought him to a new generation of fans.

In later years, Osbourne's health became a central concern. Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2003 (though not disclosed until 2020), he continued to battle through numerous medical challenges including neck surgeries, pneumonia, and spinal issues. Still, he never lost his drive to perform.

In February 2025, he announced one final Black Sabbath concert in his hometown of Birmingham - a farewell performance on July 5 that reunited him with original bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward for the first time in 20 years. Performing from a throne due to mobility issues, Osbourne's voice remained strong.

"I don't know what to say, man," he told the crowd. "You have no idea how I feel - thank you from the bottom of my heart."

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Black Sabbath in 2006 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. His career spanned over five decades, influencing generations of musicians and fans.

Osbourne's family life was as prominent as his music in recent decades. He married Sharon in 1982, and the couple weathered ups and downs publicly, eventually renewing their vows in 2017. "It's a journey, really, a marriage," Osbourne once said. "You go up, you go down, you make mistakes."

He is survived by Sharon and six children - Jessica, Louis, and Elliot from his first marriage to Thelma Riley, and Aimee, Kelly, and Jack from his marriage to Sharon.

Listen to Benztown's Ozzy Osbourne tribute here. Audacy has officially launched "Remembering Ozzy Osbourne," a station dedicated to honoring the musical and cultural legend. "Remembering Ozzy Osbourne" is streaming now on the Audacy app and Audacy.com and can be found here.