John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne, the indomitable “Prince of Darkness” whose haunting wail and rebellious spirit defined the genre of heavy metal, has died at the age of 76. The news, which reverberated across the globe on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, confirmed the end of an era for millions of fans and the music world he fundamentally reshaped.
His passing was announced through a unified and poignant statement from his family, a message disseminated by major news outlets worldwide. The statement read in its entirety: “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”. The message was signed by his wife and manager of over four decades, Sharon, and his children, Aimee, Kelly, Jack, and Louis, signifying a family united in its grief.
In a testament to the family’s control over the narrative and their request for privacy, an official cause of death was not released. While Osbourne’s extensive health battles were a matter of public record, the family chose to keep the final details of his passing private, focusing instead on the love that surrounded him in his final moments.
The timing of his death added a layer of profound and poetic tragedy to the news. It came just weeks after Osbourne had defiantly taken to the stage in his hometown of Birmingham for a monumental farewell concert, a final, triumphant performance that now stands as his self-authored last chapter.
Just weeks before his passing, Ozzy gave his fans one last, triumphant gift: the “Back To The Beginning” farewell concert. Held in his hometown of Birmingham, the show was a monumental celebration of his career, allowing him to take a final bow on his own terms in the city where it all started.
Though his long battle with Parkinson’s disease and other health issues required him to perform from a large, ornate throne, his spirit was undiminished. The night was made even more historic by the reunion of the original Black Sabbath lineup for the first time in two decades, a poignant and powerful final chapter.
Looking back, Ozzy’s career was nothing short of legendary. It began in 1968 when he and his friends from Aston, Birmingham, formed Black Sabbath, a band that would go on to invent the very sound of heavy metal. Their dark, sludgy riffs and Ozzy’s haunting wail created a sonic revolution that changed music forever.
With genre-defining albums like Paranoid and Master of Reality, Black Sabbath gave voice to a generation’s anxieties and became one of the most influential bands of all time. After his departure from the band in 1979, many thought his career was over, but it was only the beginning of his second act. As a solo artist, Ozzy became an even bigger global superstar. His debut album,
Blizzard of Ozz, featuring the iconic anthem “Crazy Train,” was a massive success that redefined his career. He had an incredible talent for discovering and collaborating with genius guitarists like Randy Rhoads and Zakk Wylde, constantly evolving his sound.
Later in life, he became a beloved cultural figure through the reality show The Osbournes, which humanized the “Prince of Darkness” and introduced him to a new legion of fans. He was a pioneer, a madman, a survivor, and a loving father. There will never be another Ozzy Osbourne. May he rest in peace.
