The heavy metal world is in mourning following the death of Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of Black Sabbath and a pioneering solo artist, who passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76. The self-styled “Prince of Darkness,” whose eerie wail and wild antics defined a genre, died surrounded by his family in his native United Kingdom, just weeks after delivering an emotional farewell performance at Birmingham’s Villa Park.
“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 a statement from his family, signed by his wife Sharon and children Jack, Kelly, Aimee, and Louis. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
Osbourne’s death certificate, revealed on August 5, listed cardiac arrest and coronary artery disease as the primary causes of death, with Parkinson’s disease and autonomic dysfunction as contributing factors. An air ambulance was dispatched to his home in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, on the morning of his passing, where medics provided advanced critical care for two hours before his death.
Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Aston, Birmingham, Ozzy rose from humble beginnings to become the godfather of heavy metal. As the lead singer of Black Sabbath, formed in 1968 with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, he helped forge a genre with seminal albums like Black Sabbath (1970) and Paranoid (1970), featuring timeless hits such as “Iron Man,” “War Pigs,” and “Paranoid.” After being fired from the band in 1979 due to substance abuse, Osbourne launched a wildly successful solo career with albums like Blizzard of Ozz (1980) and Diary of a Madman (1981), powered by anthems like “Crazy Train.”
Osbourne’s larger-than-life persona was as infamous as his music. From biting the head off a bat during a 1982 concert (which he believed was a prop) to his struggles with addiction, including a 1989 arrest for attempting to strangle Sharon while under the influence, his life was a rollercoaster of controversy and redemption. Yet, he also won over a new generation through the MTV reality show The Osbournes (2002-2005), which showcased his chaotic but loving family life with Sharon, Kelly, and Jack, revealing a softer side to the rock icon.
His final performance on July 5, 2025, at the “Back to the Beginning” concert in Birmingham, saw Osbourne reunite with Black Sabbath for the first time in nearly two decades. Seated on a bat-bedecked throne due to mobility issues from Parkinson’s, he performed alongside Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and other metal giants, raising $190 million for a Birmingham hospice and Parkinson’s research. Fans described the show as “magic,” with Osbourne visibly moved by the 42,000-strong crowd.
Tributes have poured in from across the music world. Black Sabbath co-founder Tony Iommi called Osbourne “our brother,” while Metallica posted a heartfelt photo with a broken heart emoji. Motorhead, led by the late Lemmy, a close friend of Osbourne, wrote, “Lemmy and Ozzy were brothers in arms… his loss is seismic.” Even non-metal artists like Drake, who paid respects at Birmingham’s Black Sabbath Bench, hailed Osbourne’s cultural impact.
On July 30, thousands of fans lined Birmingham’s streets for Osbourne’s funeral procession, leaving flowers, beer, and tequila at tributes across the city, a nod to his notorious lifestyle. His legacy, marked by two Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductions, five Grammy Awards, and over 100 million records sold, ensures that the Prince of Darkness will forever reign in the hearts of metal fans worldwide.
As Birmingham’s lord mayor recently honored Osbourne with the freedom of the city, his hometown connection remains unbreakable. “Ozzy was such a Brummie,” said local fan Sunny Randhawa. “Wild, down to earth, and the heart and soul of Birmingham.”
Osbourne’s life was, in his own words, an “incredible adventure.” From a working-class kid dreaming of Beatlemania to a global icon, his music and spirit will echo for generations. Rest in peace, Ozzy—you did it all.
