London (England) [US], July 23 (HBTV): John Michael Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic lead singer of the British heavy metal band Black Sabbath, has passed away at the age of 76.
He breathed his last on Tuesday after a prolonged battle with Parkinson's disease, according to Variety. His family confirmed the news of his death through a statement, TMZ reported.
The family statement read: ‘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.’
Just two weeks ago, Osbourne had performed at what was billed as Black Sabbath's final concert — a festival titled Back to the Beginning — held in his and the band’s hometown of Birmingham, England. The event was a grand tribute to the legendary group, featuring performances from bands such as Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Tool, Pantera, and Alice in Chains.
In January 2020, after years of worsening health, Osbourne publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In February 2023, he announced his retirement from touring, citing spinal injuries from a 2018 accident.
‘I have now come to the realization that I'm not physically capable of doing my upcoming European/U.K. tour dates, as I know I couldn't deal with the travel required,’ he said at the time. ‘Believe me when I say that the thought of disappointing my fans really f***s me up, more than you will ever know. Never would I have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way.’
From 1969 to 1979, Osbourne fronted Black Sabbath, the Birmingham-based band that pioneered a dark, heavy sound that laid the groundwork for generations of metal musicians. Despite internal turmoil and heavy substance abuse, the band's early records remain foundational to the genre.
Osbourne's massive appeal among metal fans inspired his wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne, to launch Ozzfest — a touring music festival that became one of the most successful live events of the 1990s, drawing major acts across the heavy metal scene.
He also gained widespread mainstream recognition in the early 2000s as the eccentric head of the household in The Osbournes, an MTV reality show that chronicled the family’s everyday life.
Ozzy Osbourne is survived by his wife, Sharon, and six children — Jessica, Louis, and Elliot from his first marriage to Thelma Riley, and Aimee, Kelly, and Jack from his second marriage.
(ANI)