The ‘Prince of Darkness’ Takes His Last Breath: Ozzy Osbourne Dies at 76
Birmingham, England, July 23, 2025 – The world of music mourns the loss of John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath and a pioneering figure in heavy metal, who passed away this morning at the age of 76. His family announced his death in a heartfelt statement, noting that he was surrounded by love and family in his final moments. The news comes just weeks after Osbourne’s final performance with Black Sabbath on July 5, 2025, in his hometown of Birmingham, England, marking the end of an era for the band that shaped a genre.
Born on December 3, 1948, in Aston, Birmingham, Osbourne rose from humble beginnings to become one of rock music’s most iconic and controversial figures. Nicknamed “Ozzy” in primary school, he faced challenges with dyslexia and ADHD, leaving school at 15 to take on various jobs, including working in a slaughterhouse. His passion for music, however, led him to form the band that would become Black Sabbath in 1968 alongside guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward. Inspired by a 1963 horror film, the band’s name and their self-titled debut album, released on Friday the 13th in February 1970, laid the foundation for heavy metal with its dark, heavy riffs and Osbourne’s distinctive wail.
Black Sabbath’s early success, with albums like Paranoid (1970), propelled Osbourne to global fame. His theatrical stage presence—most infamously biting the head off a bat during a 1982 performance—earned him the moniker “Prince of Darkness.” Despite his wild persona, Osbourne’s struggles with substance abuse led to his dismissal from Black Sabbath in 1979. Undeterred, he launched a successful solo career, with hits like “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley,” and later reunited with the band for multiple tours, including their final show in 2025.
Osbourne’s larger-than-life personality extended beyond music. In the early 2000s, he became an unexpected reality TV star with The Osbournes, showcasing his chaotic yet endearing family life with wife Sharon and their children. The show humanized the rock icon, revealing a lovable, if foul-mouthed, family man beneath the dark image.
Health challenges marked Osbourne’s later years. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, he also suffered spinal injuries from a 2019 fall, which limited his mobility. Despite these setbacks, he performed his final Black Sabbath concert seated on a large black throne at Villa Park, Birmingham, delivering a poignant farewell to fans with songs like “Mama, I’m Coming Home.”
Tributes have poured in from fans and fellow musicians. On X, fans expressed their grief, with posts noting his profound impact on music: “THANK YOU for more than half a century of music!!🤘” (@HeavyMetal_999). In Birmingham and at his Hollywood Walk of Fame star in Los Angeles, fans gathered to honor the man who “helped invent heavy metal.”
Osbourne is survived by his wife Sharon, whom he married in 1982, and their three children, Aimee, Kelly, and Jack, as well as two children from his first marriage, Jessica and Louis. His family has requested privacy during this time of grief.
As the world bids farewell to the Prince of Darkness, his legacy endures through the music that inspired generations and the fearless spirit that defined him. In the words of one fan on X, “Without you, the world of metal wouldn’t be what it is. Hasta siempre, ‘Prince of Darkness’” (@Dios_0ficial).