Heavy metal godfather Ozzy Osbourne passes away at 76 following decades of health struggles

Ozzy Osbourne, the famous singer of Black Sabbath and reality TV star, died on Tuesday morning surrounded by his family. His family shared the news in a statement to CNN, asking for privacy during this difficult time.

The news comes shortly after Osbourne’s final performance with Black Sabbath in his hometown of Birmingham, England. The show, called Back to the Beginning, was the band’s first performance in 20 years and featured original members Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and Tony Iommi.

“If I can’t continue doing shows on a regular basis, I just want to be well enough to do one show where I can say, ‘Hi guys, thanks so much for my life.’ That’s what I’m working towards, and if I drop down dead at the end of it, I’ll die a happy man,” Osbourne had said in a 2023 interview with Rolling Stone.

Early life and rise to fame bring success to Birmingham native

Born on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England, John ‘Ozzy’ Osbourne came from humble beginnings as the son of a toolmaker and factory worker. As a rock pioneer, his influence parallels other legendary musicians who helped define generations. After trying various jobs and a brief stint in prison, he found his calling in music after being inspired by The Beatles.

In 1967, Osbourne joined what would later become Black Sabbath, alongside Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, and Bill Ward. His groundbreaking work in heavy metal helped establish him as a pioneer whose death resonates similarly to other music industry legends. The band recorded their first album in just two days in 1969, and their second album Paranoid reached number one in the UK charts in 1970.

After leaving Black Sabbath in 1979 due to substance abuse issues, Osbourne built a successful solo career, releasing 11 albums. He later reunited with Black Sabbath in 1997. His career achievements include multiple Grammy awards, including two in 2023 for best rock album and performance, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.

In recent years, Osbourne faced several health challenges. He suffered from pneumonia in 2019, experienced a severe fall at his Los Angeles home, and revealed his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in January 2020. Despite these setbacks, he continued to perform occasionally, including at the 2022 Commonwealth Games closing ceremony in Birmingham. Earlier in 2023, he announced the end of his touring career due to physical limitations.

Osbourne is survived by his wife Sharon, who later became his manager, and his six children: three from his first marriage and three with Sharon (Jack, Kelly, and Aimee).