The music world is reeling from the loss of Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 76, according to a bbc.com report.
His family announced his death, stating he was “surrounded by love.”
The news comes just weeks after a star-studded farewell concert in his home city of Birmingham, where the “Prince of Darkness” made his final public performance.
Tributes have poured in from across the globe, highlighting Osbourne’s immense impact on music and culture. Black Sabbath co-founder Tony Iommi shared his grief, saying the band had “lost our brother,” while bassist Terence “Geezer” Butler fondly recalled their last show together. Drummer Bill Ward posted a poignant photo of the quartet.
The influence of Osbourne, known for his electrifying and often controversial stage presence, resonated deeply with a generation of musicians. US heavy metal giants Metallica expressed the inexpressible, calling him “hero, icon, pioneer, inspiration, mentor, and, most of all, friend.” American rock legends Aerosmith hailed him as “our brother in rock,” extending their love to the “millions around the world who felt his fire.”
Less than three weeks ago, Osbourne defied health challenges to perform at the “Back to the Beginning” concert at Villa Park in Birmingham, a stone’s throw from where Black Sabbath was formed. Artistes he inspired, including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and The Smashing Pumpkins, joined in tribute. Billy Corgan, lead singer of The Smashing Pumpkins, described it as “one of the greatest musical moments of my life,” while Sammy Hagar of Van Halen marvelled at Osbourne’s strength: “For him to have been that close to death on July 5 and still get up there and perform like he promised… Wow! That puts him in a category of his own.”
Beyond the stage, friends and colleagues remembered Osbourne’s larger-than-life personality. Jem Aswad, senior entertainment editor at Variety magazine, recounted a memorable first encounter with a bathrobe-clad, jewellery-laden Osbourne, who was “perfectly nice, perfectly friendly” despite his intimidating “Prince of Darkness” moniker.
Fans also gathered at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, laying flowers on Osbourne’s star. “Osbourne was more than a rock legend – he was a cultural icon who reshaped music and defied expectations,” said Ana Martinez, the venue’s producer.
Black Sabbath, formed in 1968, is widely credited with inventing heavy metal, with classic tracks like “Paranoid,” “War Pigs,” and “Iron Man.” After leaving the band in 1979, Osbourne embarked on a successful solo career, releasing over a dozen albums. His 1980 debut single, “Crazy Train,” remains one of his most beloved songs.
Osbourne, who publicly shared his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2020 and faced numerous health battles in recent years, leaves behind his wife Sharon and six children from his two marriages. He sold over 100 million records worldwide as a solo artist and with Black Sabbath, solidifying his place as a true titan of rock.
•Featured image: Ozzy Osbourne during a signing session for his book “I Am Ozzy” at an HMV store on Oxford Street, central London in 2009/Yui Mok/PA/PA Archive
