Did Heavy Metal Icon Ozzy Osbourne Pass Away at 76?

Los Angeles, July 23 (NationPress) The pioneering figure of British heavy metal, Ozzy Osbourne, known for his role as the frontman of Black Sabbath, has sadly departed at the age of 76 after enduring a prolonged battle with Parkinson’s disease.

The rock legend's family released a heartfelt statement: “With profound sadness, we announce that our cherished Ozzy Osbourne has left us this morning. He was surrounded by his family and enveloped in love. We kindly request privacy for our family during this difficult time.”

Just two weeks prior, he graced the stage at what was heralded as Black Sabbath’s final concert, a festival named “Back to the Beginning” in Birmingham, England, celebrating the iconic band with tributes from legendary artists like Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Slayer.

In January 2020, after two years of worsening health, Osbourne revealed his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

By February 2023, he announced his retirement from touring, attributing it to spinal injuries incurred in a 2018 accident, as reported by variety.com.

He expressed, “In good conscience, I realize I’m not physically capable of handling my upcoming European/U.K. tour dates due to the travel involved. The thought of letting my fans down is heartbreaking for me.”

Osbourne fronted Black Sabbath from 1969 to 1979, defining the heavy metal sound with their unique, dark themes and heavy riffs.

After being dismissed from the band in 1979, he launched a successful solo career, which eclipsed his previous work with Black Sabbath. His solo projects helped elevate guitarists like Zakk Wylde and the late Randy Rhoads to stardom.

With his immense popularity, his wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne, created the Ozzfest touring festival. He also gained fame in the early 2000s as the eccentric patriarch in the reality series “The Osbournes,” aired on MTV.

Despite facing lifelong struggles with addiction and controversy, Osbourne remained a pivotal figure in rock music, as noted by variety.com.

Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, he was one of six children in a working-class family and showed an early passion for music, particularly influenced by The Beatles. Dropping out of school at 15, he worked various jobs and even served a brief stint in jail.

At 19, he teamed up with bassist Geezer Butler to form a band, eventually joined by guitarist Tony Iommi and drummer Bill Ward. Originally called Earth, they changed their name to Black Sabbath after discovering another band had the same name, inspired by a horror anthology by director Mario Bava.

Black Sabbath released their debut album in 1970. Despite initial negative reviews, it became a top-10 hit in the UK and reached No. 23 in the US.

The follow-up album, “Paranoid,” solidified their status, topping charts in both the UK and US, featuring iconic tracks like “War Pigs,” “Paranoid,” and “Iron Man.”

In 2016-17, Black Sabbath embarked on their last tour, culminating in a farewell concert in Birmingham.

Osbourne's discography includes over 100 million albums sold, comprising both his solo works and Black Sabbath releases.

In February 2017, Black Sabbath performed their final gig in Birmingham, though they reunited for a special performance earlier this month at the “Back to the Beginning” concert.

His last two solo albums, “Ordinary Man” and “Patient Number 9,” received critical acclaim.

A new reality show titled “Home to Roost,” documenting the Osbourne family’s return to the UK after 25 years in the US, was announced by the BBC in late 2022.

He is survived by his wife and five children.