Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath singer and godfather of heavy metal, dead at 76

Ozzy Osbourne, iconic Black Sabbath frontman and reality TV star, died Tuesday at 76, his family confirmed. He passed away surrounded by loved ones. No cause of death was immediately shared.

The news came just weeks after Osbourne’s final performance with Black Sabbath in Birmingham, England—his hometown and the band’s birthplace. It marked their first concert in two decades.

Known for outrageous stage antics (including the infamous bat-biting incident), Osbourne became a heavy metal icon, earning titles like the “Prince of Darkness” and “Godfather of Heavy Metal.” Despite struggles with addiction, he remained influential across generations of rock and metal artists.

Born John Osbourne in 1948 in Birmingham, he left school at 15, served time for burglary, and found musical inspiration in The Beatles. Black Sabbath’s 1970 album Paranoid became a cornerstone of heavy metal.

Fired from the band in 1979 due to substance abuse, Osbourne launched a successful solo career and later reunited with Black Sabbath. He starred in The Osbournes, the hit MTV reality series, with wife Sharon and their children, reshaping celebrity culture.

He battled health issues in recent years, including Parkinson’s disease, but performed sporadically, most notably at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. In 2023, he announced retirement from touring.

Tributes poured in from across the music world. Elton John called him a “trailblazer,” Metallica called him a “hero,” and Black Sabbath bandmates expressed heartbreak. Fans in Birmingham and Hollywood left flowers, candles, and notes in tribute.

Osbourne is survived by Sharon and his six children. As he once said: “Looking back, I should have died a thousand times — but never did.” Until now.