Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne dead aged 76: family
The hell-raising singer, who had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, passed away just over two weeks after playing a farewell concert in his home city of Birmingham, England.
"It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning," read the family's statement.
"He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time."
Osbourne was instrumental in pioneering heavy metal -- an offshoot of hard rock -- as Black Sabbath enjoyed huge commercial success in the 1970s.
Nicknamed the "Prince of Darkness", he once bit off the head of a bat while on stage.
Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948 in Birmingham, he left school at 15 and did odd jobs including factory work before teaming up with school friend Geezer Butler in several bands.
He brought the curtain down on a wild career earlier this month when Black Sabbath rattled through their most iconic songs in front of an adoring crowd at Villa Park, home of Premier League football club Aston Villa.
"It's the last song ever. Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle... Thank you from the bottom of our hearts," Osbourne told the crowd after finishing the set with "Paranoid" -- the band's most famous song.
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Perth Now
3 hours ago
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Ozzy filed to trademark Prince of Darkness before death
Ozzy Osbourne tried to trademark his Prince of Darkness nickname before he died. The 76-year-old rocker passed away at his home in England on July 22, just weeks after his final Black Sabbath gig. He filed documents to trademark his nickname on June 13. According to The Sun newspaper, his UK-based firm Monowise sent the application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office for "entertainment services, namely providing non-downloadable pre-recorded music via a website". The company also sought trademark protection to sell clothes, games and accessories. A ruling has yet to be made, although a similar claim was passed previously in the UK. Meanwhile, it has been revealed that tributes left for Ozzy in his home city of Birmingham are to be taken down and given to his family. Fans had flocked to the city to pay their respects to Ozzy as flowers, keepsake items and handwritten notes were left at Black Sabbath Bridge - a spot that marks the Paranoid band's formation. The council said that the tributes will be preserved at a secure location before being passed on to Ozzy's loved ones. Ozzy's family viewed the tributes during his funeral procession in the city and said they were "deeply moved" by the affection the public had for the Prince of Darkness - who had played his final gig with Black Sabbath at Birmingham's Villa Park stadium just 17 days prior to his death. A statement read: "We are deeply moved by the heartfelt tributes that have been placed at the Black Sabbath Bridge and at the Black Sabbath mural on Navigation Street in recent days. "These expressions of remembrance reflect the profound impact that Ozzy had on the city and its people, as well as fans from around the world - BIRMINGHAM FOREVER!" Lord Mayor of Birmingham Zafar Iqbal said: "We understand how important it is for the community to have a space to grieve and celebrate Ozzy's legacy. "We know fans will continue to pay their respects at the Black Sabbath Bridge and the mural on Navigation Street, as well as visiting the Ozzy exhibition."
West Australian
3 hours ago
- West Australian
Ozzy filed to trademark Prince of Darkness before death
Ozzy Osbourne tried to trademark his Prince of Darkness nickname before he died. The 76-year-old rocker passed away at his home in England on July 22, just weeks after his final Black Sabbath gig. He filed documents to trademark his nickname on June 13. According to The Sun newspaper, his UK-based firm Monowise sent the application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office for "entertainment services, namely providing non-downloadable pre-recorded music via a website". The company also sought trademark protection to sell clothes, games and accessories. A ruling has yet to be made, although a similar claim was passed previously in the UK. Meanwhile, it has been revealed that tributes left for Ozzy in his home city of Birmingham are to be taken down and given to his family. Fans had flocked to the city to pay their respects to Ozzy as flowers, keepsake items and handwritten notes were left at Black Sabbath Bridge - a spot that marks the Paranoid band's formation. The council said that the tributes will be preserved at a secure location before being passed on to Ozzy's loved ones. Ozzy's family viewed the tributes during his funeral procession in the city and said they were "deeply moved" by the affection the public had for the Prince of Darkness - who had played his final gig with Black Sabbath at Birmingham's Villa Park stadium just 17 days prior to his death. A statement read: "We are deeply moved by the heartfelt tributes that have been placed at the Black Sabbath Bridge and at the Black Sabbath mural on Navigation Street in recent days. "These expressions of remembrance reflect the profound impact that Ozzy had on the city and its people, as well as fans from around the world - BIRMINGHAM FOREVER!" Lord Mayor of Birmingham Zafar Iqbal said: "We understand how important it is for the community to have a space to grieve and celebrate Ozzy's legacy. "We know fans will continue to pay their respects at the Black Sabbath Bridge and the mural on Navigation Street, as well as visiting the Ozzy exhibition."
ABC News
4 hours ago
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Ozzy Osbourne died of a heart attack, New York Times reports, citing death certificate
Ozzy Osbourne died of a heart attack and had coronary artery disease in addition to suffering from Parkinson's disease for years, his death certificate said. The singer had suffered from coronary artery disease as well as Parkinson's, according to the certificate filed at a register office in London and obtained by The New York Times. Osbourne died on July 22 at 76. An email from The Associated Press requesting confirmation from the registry office in Hillingdon Council in north-west London, which covers the district where the Black Sabbath singer was reportedly officially pronounced dead, was not immediately returned. His family's representatives have yet to comment on the cause of death, but the document was submitted by Osbourne's daughter, Aimée Osbourne, the New York Times reported. The singer died of "(a) Out of hospital cardiac arrest (b) Acute myocardial infarction (c) Coronary artery disease and Parkinson's disease with autonomic dysfunction (Joint Causes)," the certificate states. Osbourne, also a somewhat unexpected reality TV star, announced in 2020 that he had Parkinson's disease after suffering a fall. In announcing his death, his family asked for privacy and said that he was with relatives when he died. Fans came out in droves from across the country to mourn his death in his hometown of Birmingham last week. Osbourne had his final show there just weeks before his death, as admirers watched the heavy metal icon perform while seated on a black throne. "I don't know what to say, man, I've been laid up for like six years. You have no idea how I feel — thank you from the bottom of my heart," Osbourne said during his performance. "You're all special. Let's go crazy, come on." AP
