On July 22, 2025, the world lost a music legend, John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne, who passed away at the age of 76.
His family shared the heartbreaking news, saying he was surrounded by love when he died.
Just weeks earlier, Ozzy gave his final performance at a Black Sabbath reunion concert in his hometown of Birmingham, England, a fitting farewell for the man who helped create heavy metal.
Early Life and Black Sabbath Beginnings
Ozzy was born on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham’s Aston neighborhood. Growing up in a working-class family with five siblings, he faced challenges like dyslexia and bullying but found his calling in music. In 1968, he co-founded Black Sabbath with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. The band’s dark, heavy sound, heard in hits like Paranoid and Iron Man, laid the foundation for the heavy metal genre, earning Ozzy the nickname “Prince of Darkness.”
Solo Career and Pop Culture Fame
After leaving Black Sabbath in 1979 due to struggles with addiction, Ozzy launched a solo career that was just as successful. His albums Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman, featuring songs like Crazy Train, became classics. With the help of his wife and manager, Sharon, whom he married in 1982, he built a career that spanned over five decades. In the early 2000s, Ozzy became a household name through The Osbournes, a reality TV show on MTV that showed his chaotic but loving family life with Sharon and their children, Kelly and Jack. He also created Ozzfest, a music festival that gave new metal bands a chance to shine.
Health Challenges and Final Performance
Despite health challenges, including Parkinson’s disease and injuries from a 2003 quad bike accident and a 2019 fall, Ozzy never lost his passion for music. His final show on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham was a celebration of his life’s work. Joined by Black Sabbath bandmates and other big names like Metallica, Ozzy performed from a throne, telling fans, “You’ve no idea how I feel—thank you from the bottom of my heart.” It was a heartfelt goodbye that captured his enduring connection with his audience.
Ozzy’s legacy is huge. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice—once with Black Sabbath and once as a solo artist. He won five Grammy Awards and earned honors like the Ivor Novello Award. Beyond the awards, Ozzy’s wild energy, unique voice, and fearless personality inspired countless fans and musicians.
As we say goodbye to Ozzy Osbourne, we remember a man who lived life on his own terms. From biting the head off a bat to making us laugh on TV, he was one of a kind. His music will live on, and so will the love he shared with his family and fans.
