Ozzy Osbourne, iconic frontman of Black Sabbath and a heavy metal pioneer, has died at 76, according to the Associated Press. Known for his groundbreaking music and larger-than-life persona, Osbourne also gained fame in the 2000s through the reality series The Osbournes, which introduced him to a new generation of fans.
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, Ozzy faced numerous health struggles, including spinal surgeries following a serious fall. Despite his condition, he continued to make music and perform until his body could no longer handle the demands of touring.
Born in Birmingham, U.K., Osbourne rose to fame in 1968 when he co-founded Black Sabbath. His eerie vocals defined heavy metal classics like “Paranoid,” “Iron Man,” and “War Pigs.” After being dismissed from Sabbath in the late 1970s due to substance abuse, he launched a wildly successful solo career with hits such as “Crazy Train” and “No More Tears.”
Osbourne’s career was not without controversy, but his influence on rock and metal is undeniable. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Black Sabbath in 2006, and his solo work earned him multiple Grammy Awards, including his 2022 album Patient Number 9, which won Best Rock Album.
His final live performance was a special moment—he and guitarist Tony Iommi closed the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, just minutes from where Ozzy grew up.
Ozzy is survived by his wife Sharon and their three children—Aimee, Kelly, and Jack—as well as children from his previous marriage. Despite his turbulent life, he remained a towering figure in rock, celebrated for both his raw talent and unfiltered authenticity.