Ozzy Osbourne pictured at the 54th Emmy Awards, September 2002 in Los Angeles. © Robert Hanashiro / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(England) – Ozzy Osbourne, the heavy metal pioneer, had passed away at the age of 76. Born in Birmingham, England, he helped define the genre as the lead singer of Black Sabbath. But in 1979 he was fired — ironically by his future wife Sharon — for drug and alcohol abuse.
She notoriously felt he’d die if he didn’t receive help with addiction. They married in 1982 and became one of the iconic couples in show business. That was especially true after MTV launched the reality show “The Osbournes” in the early 2000s. Sharon, Ozzy, and their two children starred on the show.
Known as the wild “Prince of Darkness”, Osbourne was the author of an iconic moment in music history when be bit the head off a live bat while on stage. He later said he thought it was a prop, or toy. Osbourne was nominated for 12 Grammy Awards and won five. He was twice inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — as a solo artist, and as a member of Black Sabbath.
Osbourne was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in early 2000s and battled spinal injuries as well as other health issues. He gave a final concert on July 5, 2025 in his hometown of Birmingham. His original Sabbath bandmates joined him for an emotional farewell performance.
Reports say the rocker died peacefully surrounded by family. He’s survived by his wife Sharon who was also his manager, their children, and his countless fans.
