RIP Ozzy Osbourne: Black Sabbath frontman dies just weeks after farewell gig to fans
Heavy metal group Black Sabbath lead singer Ozzy Osbourne poses for pictures as he arrives for the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) in Glasgow, Scotland. Picture: AFP
Legendary heavy metal star Ozzy Osbourne has passed away at the age of 76 just two weeks after he reunited with his Black Sabbath bandmates on stage at Villa Park, in his home city Birmingham.
In a statement on Tuesday, his family said: '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.
'He was with his family and surrounded by love.'
British singer Ozzy Osbourne performs during the closing ceremony for the Commonwealth Games at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, central England, in 2022. Picture: AFP
The Prince of Darkness: Ozzy Osbourne's farewell concert…
For his epic farewell concert, Osbourne performed in front of a 40 000-strong crowd from a throne at Villa Park.
'It's the last song ever. Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,' the hell-raising lead singer, who had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, told emotional fans after finishing the set with Paranoid – the band's most famous song.
The concert also featured performances from some of the 76-year-old iconic performer's favourite acts, including Metallica and Guns'n'Roses.
Ozzy Osbourne: Pioneering heavy metal
Born John Michael Osbourne on 3 December 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.
Nicknamed the 'Prince of Darkness', Osbourne pioneered heavy metal with Black Sabbath before going on to have huge success in his own right, as well as becoming a reality TV star on The Osbournes.
The Grammy Award-winning musician was known for iconic heavy metal hits, including Iron Man, Paranoid, War Pigs, Crazy Train and Changes – both with the band and as a solo star.
🖤 Rest in power, Ozzy Osbourne.
The godfather of heavy metal. His legacy echoes through the halls of MI, from the students he inspired, to the artists and clinicians who followed in his path. A true original. Thank you, Ozzy. 🤘 #RIPOzzy pic.twitter.com/VTZQVoIANC
July 22, 2025
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