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Japan Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne dead at 76
Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of heavy metal group Black Sabbath, died on Tuesday at the age of 76, his family said, just weeks after he gave an epic farewell concert. The hell-raising singer, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, passed away just over a fortnight after playing a final gig before a sold-out crowd 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," said a family statement. "He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time." On Black Sabbath's official Instagram account, the remaining members simply posted "Ozzy Forever." Prince Charles meets Ozzy Osbourne and "The X Factor" finalist Chico Slimani (center) from Morocco at a reception in 2006 for the people who lent their support to The Prince's Trust 30th Birthday concert in London. | REUTERS Tributes poured in for the notorious figure nicknamed the "Prince of Darkness," who once bit off the head of a bat while on stage. Music icon Elton John praised Osbourne as "a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods — a true legend." "He was also one of the funniest people I've ever met. I will miss him dearly," John wrote on Instagram. Rolling Stones member Ronnie Wood said he was "very sad" to learn of Osbourne's death. Osbourne was instrumental in pioneering heavy metal — an offshoot of hard rock — as Black Sabbath enjoyed huge commercial success in the 1970s and 80s after forming in Birmingham in 1968. Black Sabbath's eponymous 1970 debut album made the U.K. top 10 and paved the way for a string of hit records, including their most famous song "Paranoid." "It was Ozzy's voice that took me away to a dark universe. A great escape," Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready posted on X. "Thanks for the music, Ozzy it makes our journey in life better." Black Sabbath went on to sell more than 75 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Osbourne was added for a second time last year as a solo artist. From left: Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath after being inducted during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in New York in 2006 | AFP-JIJI He gained huge notoriety along the way for his outlandish stunts, many of them fueled by a hedonistic lifestyle involving the lavish use of drugs and alcohol. His live performances at the height of his hedonism have gone down in rock folklore, particularly a 1982 gig in Des Moines, Iowa, when he bit the head off a bat on stage. Osbourne said he thought a fan had thrown a fake rubber bat onstage, and it was not until he took a bite that he realized it was real. "I can assure you the rabies shots I went through afterwards aren't fun," he told U.S. TV host David Letterman in 1982. Osbourne is also rumored to have snorted a line of ants up his nose and once urinated on a cenotaph commemorating war dead. His public persona took a new turn with the reality TV series "The Osbournes" in the 2000s, which followed the ups and downs of his family life alongside wife Sharon, whom he married in 1982, and their three children. Born John Michael Osbourne on Dec. 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 before finding success with Black Sabbath. He paused touring in 2023 after extensive spinal surgery. Osbourne suffered a fall at home in 2019, which aggravated injuries from a near-fatal quad bike crash in 2003. He released his 12th studio album, "Ordinary Man," in 2020, followed by "Patient Number 9" in 2022, which went to No. 3 and 2 in the U.K. charts, respectively. Flowers are left at a makeshift memorial at Ozzy Osbourne's Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday in Los Angeles. | AFP-JIJI Osbourne brought the curtain down on a wild career on July 5, when Black Sabbath rattled through their most iconic songs in front of 40,000 adoring fans at Villa Park, home of Premier League football club Aston Villa. He was joined by original bandmates Butler, Tony Iommi, and Bill Ward for the concert, dubbed "Back to the Beginning" — their first gig together in 20 years. Osbourne — stylish to the very end — held court from a giant leather throne, topped with a bat. "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."
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Fearne Cotton admits the pressures of single-parenthood have left her 'crying in the car' following split from Jesse Wood - as he moves on with former Made In Chelsea star
Fearne Cotton says struggling as a single mother has reduced her tears following her split from her husband Jesse Wood. In her most candid interview since the breakup of her decade-long marriage, the TV presenter admitted that some days she is left 'crying in her car' as attempts to juggle the pressures of raising two young children single-handedly with her media career. 'I'm just dropping lots of balls constantly and never feeling like I'm doing anything particularly well,' Fearne, 43, told Women's Health magazine's new podcast, Just As Well. Reflecting on what it's like to be a single mother, she said: 'We're just juggling so much, it's so full on and I'm dropping balls left, right, and centre in all the basic ways. 'I had nothing the kids liked for breakfast on Monday, nothing. I had cereal, but no milk. I had butter, but no bread. I tried to make pancakes, I had no maple syrup. It is like an absolute s**t show. 'So I'm just dropping lots of balls constantly and never feeling like I'm doing anything particularly well. But enjoying most of it. I would say enjoying most of it.' The veteran presenter announced she had separated from Jesse, the son of Rolling Stones bass guitarist Ronnie Wood, last December after 10 years of marriage. Fearne, who also hosts her own podcast, The Happy Place, said she relies on writing lists to keep on top of everything, while also leaning on her female friendships for support when she is having a bad day. She added: 'When I drop the balls, I probably have a slight tantrum. Sometimes I have a cry in my car, call one of my best mates and go 'Are you having a s**t show too? Yeah. Okay, phew….it's not just me'. 'And then crack on. And then it feels slightly better the next day.' Fearne, who had once vowed never to return to live radio or TV, also told Women's Health editor-in-chief and podcast host Claire Sanderson how a media career had been a challenge to her mental health. She said: 'All of my mental health lows' had been sparked by work, and also spoke about her struggles with anxiety, OCD and depression. 'It doesn't matter who you are, it doesn't discriminate,' Fearne explained. 'You know what is going on in your brain is entirely separate to what other people assume your lifestyle is. So it really important to dispel that myth.' The former radio host said that she focuses on 'trying to exercise, eat well' particularly when she notices she is starting to feel 'a bit anxious' or when 'little patterns' caused by OCD start to arise. The TV presenter admitted that some days she is left 'crying in her car' as attempts to juggle the pressures of raising two young children single-handedly while juggling her career Fearne also told Women's Health editor-in-chief and podcast host Claire Sanderson how a media career had been a challenge to her mental health She said: 'The key to me not spiralling is to be nice to myself and go, 'who cares? It doesn't matter. 'You'll have a better day tomorrow, it'll be fine. You can go for a run if you've got time or eat better or whatever. 'And not berate myself for those days that aren't the perfect health day. And to keep a check on the anxiety by again being nice to myself.' It was due to her mental health struggles, which included suffering from panic attacks before going on air, that Fearne stepped away from live TV and radio in 2015. A key factor in her decision to step away was the impact social media trolls were having on her wellbeing. She added: 'It's the absolute pits, and I think you do have to learn to just see it as a thought in someone's head that has now gone and they decided to write it down for whatever reason and it's nothing more than that. 'But in the moment, it can feel, especially if you're not in a good head space, which back when I was doing Radio 1 I wasn't, but I was still receiving a lot of that and it took me under…I was very close to questioning everything in my life at that point. 'Why am I doing this to myself? Why am I just go and have a quiet life somewhere? And luckily I didn't because I love what I do and I'm glad that I didn't give up.' The blonde beauty kicked off her presenting career at just 15-years-old before joining BBC Radio One in 2005. She later took over Jo Whiley's mid-morning show in 2009 before deciding to leave after a nine-year stint, citing her mental health. Fearne's career is now focused on her wellness business, which includes her podcast Happy Place, as well as several self–help books. The mother-of-two announced her marriage split in December by taking to social media to make the announcement, telling fans 'It is with a heavy heart that I let you all know that Jesse and I are ending our marriage. She added that their priority would 'always be' their daughter Honey and their son Rex. The couple had tied the knot in July 2014 three years after they started dating. They met while partying in Ibiza the year after his split from his first wife Tilly. Since the split, Fearne has admitted she was 'happier than ever' after being romantically linked with TV director Elliot Hegarty, 53. The presenter was spotted passionately kissing Hegarty in Soho earlier this year.
