Ozzy Osbourne Passes On At 76
Ozzy Osbourne, the wild heart of heavy metal and one of rock’s most unforgettable voices, has died at 76. The Black Sabbath frontman passed away on the morning of July 22, surrounded by family.
“It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away,” his family said in a heartfelt statement shared with PEOPLE. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our privacy at this time.”
Just weeks ago, Ozzy took the stage one last time, performing from a throne at Black Sabbath’s farewell concert in Birmingham on July 5. It was an emotional return to his hometown, and it marked his final show with the band that made him a rock god.
Despite decades of health battles, including Parkinson’s disease, multiple surgeries, and a serious fall, Ozzy kept his humor and passion for music alive. “I may be moaning that I can’t walk, but I look down the road, and there’s people that didn’t do half as much as me and didn’t make it,” he said earlier this year on his SiriusXM radio show.
Ozzy had revealed his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2020, though he’d been living with the condition since 2003. It slowed him down but never silenced him. He canceled multiple tours in recent years but still longed to be on stage, telling fans in 2023, “My singing voice is fine. However, after three operations, stem cell treatments, endless physical therapy sessions, and most recently, groundbreaking Cybernics (HAL) Treatment, my body is still physically weak.”
In February 2025, he announced that he would play one final concert with Black Sabbath. By that time, he could no longer walk, but he never lost the fire in his voice or the love for his fans.
Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham, England, on December 3, 1948, Ozzy became a pioneer of heavy metal when he formed Black Sabbath in 1968 alongside Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. With hits like Iron Man, Paranoid, and War Pigs, they changed the face of rock forever.
After being fired from Black Sabbath in 1979, Ozzy launched a solo career that skyrocketed with songs like Crazy Train and No More Tears. His outrageous antics like the infamous moment he bit the head off a bat onstage became rock legend. Yet, through it all, his voice and energy kept fans hooked.
He also made history as the first heavy metal artist to have a No. 1 duet on the Billboard Hot 100 with If I Close My Eyes Forever, a ballad with Lita Ford. In 2019, he was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Beyond music, Ozzy became a household name thanks to The Osbournes, the wildly popular MTV reality series that aired from 2002 to 2005. The show followed Ozzy, his wife Sharon, and their kids Kelly and Jack in a raw and chaotic glimpse into rock royalty.
Kelly Osbourne once described the show as “the most raw and vulnerable you will see any family on TV.” Their eldest daughter, Aimee, chose not to appear on the show. Ozzy had three other children from previous relationships.
Ozzy and Sharon’s love story spanned over 40 years. They married in 1982, survived a public split, then renewed their vows in 2017. The late rocker is survived by Sharon and their children, who shared him with generations of fans across the world.
