British singer and songwriter, Ozzy Osbourne, the frontman of heavy metal group Black Sabbath, breathed his last Tuesday (July 22), just weeks after his farewell show in his home city of Birmingham. The icon of British heavy metal was 76.
Ozzy Osbourne dies
A family statement from Birmingham, England, 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. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time."
Bandmates pay tribute to the legendary singer
Taking to Instagram, his band shared a picture of Osbourne with the caption, "Ozzy forever".
Metallica also paid tribute to the godfather of heavy metal. Sharing an old and a new pic with Osbourne, the band wrote, "It’s impossible to put into words what Ozzy Osbourne has meant to Metallica. Hero, icon, pioneer, inspiration, mentor, and, most of all, friend are a few that come to mind. Ozzy and Sharon believed in us and transformed our lives and careers. He taught us how to play in the big leagues while at the same time being warm, welcoming, engaging, and all around brilliant (sic)".
The are "heartbroken and devastated" by the death of Osbourne and have sent their love and condolences to his wife Sharon and family, bandmates, and his friends. "He left an incredible legacy and will be sorely missed," they concluded the statement.
Rock band AC/DC took to Instagram handle and shared a tribute to Ozzy saying, "So sad! A great loss to all that loved him (sic)".
Led Zeppelin legend Robert Plant also mourned the demise of Osbourne. "Farewell Ozzy … what a journey … sail on up there ... finally at peace ... you truly changed the planet of rock! (sic)," read his post.
American rock singer Alice Cooper told the Hollywood Reporter that Osbourne had "earned immense respect among his peers and from fans around the world as an unmatched showman and cultural icon."
Osbourne left the Black Sabbath band in 1979, but he continued as a solo artist. Some of his notable works include Blizzard of Ozz, Diary of a Madman, Crazy Train, Goodbye to Romance, Flying High Again and You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll among others. Osbourne has remained an inductee of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice: once with Sabbath in 2006 and in 2024 as a solo artist.
In 2020, Osbourne revealed he had Parkinson’s disease, due to which he couldn't walk and stand properly. On July 5, he reunited with Black Sabbath after 20 years, for the final show, which was dubbed Back to the Beginning.
The band performed their hits War Pigs, Iron Man, Paranoid and N.I.B. Osbourne also performed his solo hits such as Mama, I’m Coming Home Crazy Train, Mr. Crowley, Suicide Solution, and Don’t Know.
Osbourne is survived by his wife and their three children: Aimee, Kelly and Jack Osbourne. He is also survived by three children from his first marriage and a relationship: Jessica, Louis and Elliot.
