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Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath singer, solo artist and reality TV star, dies at 76

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Legendary rock singer Ozzy Osbourne, renowned not only for his groundbreaking heavy metal music with Black Sabbath but also for his wild lifestyle and unusual stage performances, passed away in London.

Struggling with health problems for numerous years, Osbourne passed away on Tuesday morning, as reported by his family in a statement acquired by The Times. His age at the time of death was 76.

With deeper sorrow than any words can express, we regretfully announce that Ozzy Osbourne has sadly passed away this morning. He was with his loved ones and enveloped by affection. We kindly ask everyone to honor our family’s privacy during this difficult time, as stated in a release from Osbourne’s publicist.

In early 2020, Osbourne revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease approximately a year prior. This health issue, among others throughout his career, has frequently compelled him to cancel public events, postpone the release of new work, and even abandon concerts – including his own farewell tour.

As a die-hard metalhead, I’ve spent over four decades leaving my mark on the music industry. First, as a member of the legendary Black Sabbath, then branching out as a solo artist. But my true passion ignited when I became the mastermind behind Ozzfest – an annual extravaganza that saw me sharing the stage with some of the freshest talents around. Critics might have turned their noses up at me, but it never dampened the deafening roar of adoration from my fans. With over 100 million records sold as Black Sabbath’s frontman and a solo artist, and being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside my bandmates in 2006, I’ve proven that my unique style is here to stay.

Under the guidance of his wife Sharon, who served as both his manager and pillar of strength, Ozzy Osbourne underwent a transformation in the 1990s, emerging as a respected elder figure in heavy metal music. Additionally, he gained recognition later in life through their MTV reality show, “The Osbournes,” where he portrayed himself – a somewhat incoherent, almost comatose patriarch of a decidedly dysfunctional family.

His wife shared with GQ Magazine, ‘Folks often struggle to comprehend him,’ and I can certainly see why. After all, I’d be challenging to grasp as well if I were to consume quantities equivalent to two bathtubs of coffee, two bathtubs of wine, and 25 doses of Vicodin daily.

Osbourne didn’t disagree,

If someone can claim they’ve led a wild, rock ‘n’ roll life, then undeniably, that would be me.

Music

Due to a successful collaboration on a chart-topping song with Post Malone, Ozzy Osbourne is experiencing a revival in his career, even as he bravely copes with Parkinson’s disease and numerous other health issues.

John Michael Osbourne, born on December 3, 1948, was the youngest among four siblings, growing up in a modest neighborhood of Birmingham, England. His mother labored in a factory while his father worked as a night-shift toolmaker. Osbourne himself has recounted that his parents were financially strapped and had limited aspirations for their son’s future success.

He shared with GQ, “What I’ve always desired is to accomplish something worthy, so they could take pride in me. However, I’ve never had any positive reinforcement.

In my formative years, I nurtured a passion for the stage, gracing school productions with my presence. Yet, it wasn’t until the magical melodies of the Beatles filled my ears that I was struck by an irresistible desire to swap the theater lights for the glare of the spotlight as a musician.

In 1969, Ozzy Osbourne, joined by guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward, became both the vocalist and recognizable figure of Black Sabbath.

The collective was imposing and ominous. However, they were recognized for pioneering the fundamental elements of heavy metal, such as intense vocal screams, heavy basslines, themes of the supernatural, and an overall atmosphere of defiance, as per the remarks made by former music critic Richard Cromelin from The Times.

On a chilly Friday the 13th in February 1970, Black Sabbath debuted their self-titled first album. This wasn’t just a mere coincidence but a significant date for music history. Despite being met with indifference or criticism by critics, it swiftly became an essential listen among college students nationwide, echoing through dorm rooms. The band continued to produce over a dozen studio albums, many in sync with their global tours.

Tired of his unpredictable actions, guitarist Tony Iommi dismissed Ozzy Osbourne from the band in 1979 due to his escalating issues with alcohol and drugs. Subsequently, a series of singers, such as Ronnie James Dio and Ian Gillan from Deep Purple, took over as Black Sabbath’s lead vocalist. Over time, Ozzy reconnected with the band on multiple occasions, and in 2006, they performed together at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Back in 1982, I tied the knot with Sharon Arden, who happened to be the daughter of our band’s manager, Don Arden. From then on, she took charge of my career management. Fast forward to 1996, we collaboratively kick-started Ozzfest, which marked the first touring festival solely dedicated to hard rock and budding heavy metal artists. I graced the stage for the inaugural shows in Phoenix and Devore, California, and generously donated a portion of the earnings to various charities scattered across the nation.

In 1980, Ozzy Osbourne debuted his first solo album titled “Blizzard of Ozz,” which later achieved platinum status. Over the years, more solo albums were released, and in 1985, he graced the stage at the Live Aid concert for famine relief at Wembley Stadium in London alongside acts like Queen, David Bowie, Madonna, and The Who. His 13th studio album, “Patient Number 9,” was unveiled in 2022 to mostly favorable feedback and quickly climbed the charts.

occasionally dramatic stage actions contributed to the group’s charm yet sparked some debate as well.

Back in 1982, I found myself witnessing an unforgettable moment at an Iowa concert when Osbourne infamously sunk his teeth into a dead bat’s head on stage. This wasn’t the first time he made headlines for such acts, as he had previously bitten off the head of a live dove during a meeting with record executives. Needless to say, this shocking display led Vets Auditorium in Des Moines to implement a rule, reported by the Des Moines Register, that prohibits concert performers from using or presenting live animals on stage without the explicit approval of management.

In my opinion, as a filmgoer and music enthusiast, I found myself embroiled in a legal tangle due to the content of one of my songs, “Suicide Solution,” from the album “Blizzard of Ozz.” This particular track became the focus of a 1985 civil lawsuit, with allegations that it indirectly led to the tragic deaths of two young fans who supposedly took their own lives after listening to the song. Later on, I made it clear that the song was born out of the alcohol-related demise of AC/DC’s lyricist, Bon Scott, in 1980. However, the actual songwriter, Bob Daisley, revealed that he had Ozzy Osbourne in mind when penning the lyrics.

In the year 1989, Osbourne took the stage at the Moscow Music Peace Festival, marking the first significant rock concert given by Western artists within what was then known as the Soviet Union.

As a music enthusiast of the ’90s, I found myself captivated by a musician who added five more masterpieces to his discography during that era. Among those records, my heart skipped a beat when he took home his first Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 1993 with the poignant tune “I Don’t Want to Change the World.

Despite never entirely escaping his past struggles with addiction and substance abuse, Ozzy Osbourne’s clouded mental state was evident to worldwide viewers during the run of his family’s MTV reality series. This unscripted show lasted for four seasons, and during that time, Ozzy signed a $10-million renewal contract with MTV, dined with President George W. Bush in Washington, performed at Buckingham Palace, and had an audience with Queen Elizabeth II.

Later on, Osbourne admitted that his prolonged state of daze was the result of his consumption of Valium and various other potent painkillers, which were prescribed to him by a doctor in Beverly Hills, who was under investigation for excessively prescribing drugs to high-profile patients.

In 2003, Osbourne shared with The Times that he was heavily dependent on medication. He explained, “I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t walk properly, and I could hardly stand up. I moved around like the Hunchback of Notre Dame. It became so severe that I was terrified to close my eyes at night, fearing I might not wake up.

As a passionate cinephile, delving into the world of cinema, I found myself astonished by an intriguing revelation during an investigation: my daily medication regimen was no ordinary affair. It encompassed over 40 pills every day! This cocktail of drugs included opiates for pain management, tranquilizers to calm my nerves, amphetamines to keep me alert, antidepressants to uplift my spirits, and an antipsychotic to help maintain my mental balance. It’s a fascinating dance between mind and body that I navigate every day as part of my cinematic journey.

On the eve of the New Year’s Eve concert in 2018 at the Forum, Osbourne declared that he had been abstaining from drugs, alcohol, and smoking for over four years.

He shared with the Pasadena Star News that at age 70, he now has grandchildren and doesn’t wish for a scenario where he’s discovered deceased in a hotel room.

Despite this, his health continued to deteriorate. In 2019, he was diagnosed with a serious upper-respiratory illness that, due to his demanding live shows and extensive European travel during cold winters, had the potential to progress into pneumonia according to his doctors.

Initially, he called off his goodbye concert series, followed by additional cancellations on the rebooted farewell tour. Later, he delayed even more performances due to an unspecified injury that necessitated surgery after a fall at home. This incident exacerbated an injury from a severe ATV accident in 2003 which had almost proved fatal for him.

During an appearance on “Good Morning America” with Robin Roberts in 2020, Osbourne hypothesized that her fall could potentially be an initial symptom of Parkinson’s disease, a progressive and incurable neurological condition.

Ozzy shared that receiving the diagnosis surprisingly strengthened his family bonds, but it also made him feel like he was the only one in the family not employed. Despite any concerns, the Osbourne family was listed by Forbes in 2018 as among the wealthiest couples in England, boasting a net worth over $200 million.

Originating from a humble working-class upbringing, Osbourne expressed to Roberts his deep discomfort at not meeting expectations and fulfilling responsibilities. He feels particularly troubled when he sees his wife, children, and others around him working hard and being helpful, as he struggles to contribute financially to the family.

But work he did, trudging back to the studio to begin recording his 12th album, “Ordinary Man.”

Osbourne leaves behind his wife, as well as his three children, Aimee, Kelly, and Jack Osbourne, and many grandchildren. Additionally, he has three other children, Jessica, Louis, and Elliot, from a past relationship.

Staff writer Steve Marble contributed to this story.

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2025-07-22 22:01

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