Ozzy Osbourne, renowned as a pioneering figure in heavy metal and often referred to as the “Godfather of Heavy Metal,” “The Prince of Darkness”passed away at the age of 76 on July 22, 2025. His musical journey began in the late 1960s with the formation of Black Sabbath in Birmingham, England. Osbourne, along with bandmates Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, and Bill Ward, established a sound that would define a genre. Black Sabbath’s early albums, such as “Black Sabbath” and “Paranoid,” included tracks that became synonymous with heavy metal, including “War Pigs” and “Iron Man.”
Despite his success, Osbourne faced significant personal challenges, particularly with substance abuse, which led to his dismissal from Black Sabbath in the late 1970s. This period of turmoil, highlighted by an incident during a U.S. tour with Van Halen, set the stage for his subsequent solo career.
In 1980, Osbourne launched his solo career with “Blizzard of Ozz,” an album that featured the hit single “Crazy Train” and marked the beginning of a successful new chapter. His solo work was further enriched by his collaboration with guitarist Randy Rhoads, whose influence was felt on tracks like “Crazy Train” and “Suicide Solution.” Rhoads’ untimely death in 1982 was a significant loss for Osbourne.
Osbourne’s career was marked by his infamous onstage antics, including the 1981 incident where he bit the head off a bat during a live performance. Despite such controversies, he continued to resonate with fans, reuniting with Black Sabbath for the 1985 Live Aid concert, and later creating Ozzfest in 1996. This festival provided a crucial platform for heavy metal music until 2018.
In 2002, Osbourne ventured into reality television with “The Osbournes,” a show that became a cultural phenomenon by offering a look into his family life. His contributions to music were recognized with two inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, first with Black Sabbath in 2006 and later as a solo artist in 2024.
Despite health challenges, including Parkinson’s disease, Osbourne continued to perform, with his final show occurring in Birmingham on July 5, 2025. He passed away from a heart attack, compounded by coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Osbourne’s legacy is marked by his profound impact on music and popular culture, rising from modest beginnings to become an enduring icon in the world of rock and roll. His death certificate, filed in London, cited cardiac arrest and related health issues as the cause. His passing prompted an outpouring of grief from fans worldwide, particularly in his hometown of Birmingham, where he had recently performed his final concert.