Thursday, October 1, 2026
®
The World's Local News Source®
Los Angeles, CA (WNN) — John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne, the famous lead singer of heavy metal band Black Sabbath, passed away on Tuesday, July 22, at 76. His family said he was "surrounded by love" when he died. Osbourne, who millions knew as the "Prince of Darkness," built an impressive legacy in music and media, grabbing people's attention for over 50 years.
Osbourne's death was confirmed in a statement that his family provided to media outlets. The statement said: "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's privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee, and Louis."
The family has not confirmed what caused his death. Although it is unknown, Osbourne has experienced many health issues throughout his life.
Osbourne faced years of serious health problems that led up to his passing. In early 2020, he shared on "Good Morning America" that doctors had diagnosed him with Parkinson's disease. This disease disrupts movement and affects the nervous system. He explained that he received the diagnosis after a fall in 2019, which also forced him to cancel some tour dates.
Osbourne's wife, Sharon, shared news in February 2025. She said Parkinson's is a disease that gets worse, and it had taken a toll on his legs. However, his voice had stayed strong. Over time, Osbourne had a lot of surgeries. In 2023, he had a fourth spinal operation to fix injuries caused by a fall that happened four years earlier. That fall had metal rods that were put in after an accident in 2003. During the 2023 surgery, doctors found a tumor in one of his vertebrae and removed it.
Despite his serious health issues, Osbourne found the strength to take the stage for one final show with Black Sabbath on July 5, 2025. The "Back to the Beginning" concert took place in Birmingham, England, his hometown. Parkinson's disease forced him to perform while sitting just a few weeks before he passed away.
Ozzy Osbourne at his final concert
Photo from: Instagram
Doing this show so close to his death showed his dedication to music. It gave a touching end to his time performing live and showed how determined he was to stick with his music and fans no matter what. He shared that this would be his last live performance, though he planned to keep making music in the studio.
John Michael (Ozzy) Osbourne was born on December 3, 1948, in Aston, Birmingham, England. Osbourne rose to fame in the 1970s as the lead singer of Black Sabbath. The group was formed in 1968, with Tony Iommi playing guitar, Geezer Butler playing bass, and Bill Ward playing drums. They are credited with helping to create heavy metal. Records like Paranoid (1970) and Master of Reality (1971) influenced future musicians.
After being fired from Black Sabbath in 1979 because of his drug and alcohol problems, Osbourne started a successful solo career. His first album, Blizzard of Ozz (1980), went quadruple platinum and included timeless tracks like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley." He kept putting out albums that sold millions, like No More Tears (1991), which had the well-loved song "Mama, I'm Coming Home."
In the early 2000s, Osbourne made an incredible career shift outside of music by becoming a reality TV star through MTV's "The Osbournes." The show followed his life at home with his wife, Sharon, and their kids, Kelly and Jack. It stood out as a trailblazing series that kicked off the trend of celebrity family reality TV. This changed how people saw him, from the "Prince of Darkness" to a gruff yet endearing family guy.
His drive to start new ventures and support from his wife, Sharon, pushed him to launch Ozzfest. This music festival became a massive hit during the 1990s, making serious money. It earned over $170 million, and it helped Ozzy Osbourne become the first hard rock and heavy metal artist to hit $50 million in merchandise sales. The festival also gave a platform to many rising bands. Ozzy shared his life story in 2009 through his book I Am Ozzy, which climbed to the #2 spot on The New York Times' best-seller list for hardcover non-fiction. This milestone played a big role in solidifying his reputation as a pop culture legend.
One of the most talked-about moments in Osbourne's career happened on January 20, 1982, during a concert in Des Moines, Iowa. While performing on stage, a fan threw what appeared to be a toy bat on stage. Osbourne picked it up and bit into it. To his surprise, it was a real bat.
In Osbourne's book, he recalled holding it up to the lights and biting into it. “Immediately though, something felt wrong,” he wrote. “Very wrong. For a start, my mouth was instantly full of this warm, gloopy liquid, with the worst aftertaste you could ever imagine." This moment made headlines, with some wondering if this was real or just another one of Osbourne's stunts.
Throughout his career, Osbourne received several awards and honors. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted him not once but twice. He was inducted with Black Sabbath in 2006 and again in 2024 as a solo artist. In 2005, both he and Black Sabbath were recognized in the UK Music Hall of Fame.
He won a Grammy Award in 1994 for "Best Metal Performance" with "I Don't Want to Change the World." In 2023, he earned two more Grammys—one for "Degradation Rules" featuring Tony Iommi, and another for "Best Rock Album" with Patient Number 9. Other major awards in his career included the "Godlike Genius" title at the NME Awards in 2004 and the "Global Icon Award" from the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2014. He also received the Ivor Novello Award, recognizing his Lifetime Achievement in 2015. He has stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Birmingham Walk of Stars.
Osbourne had two marriages and raised six kids alongside several grandchildren. He first tied the knot with Thelma Riley in 1971. Together, they had Jessica and Louis, and he also adopted Elliot, Thelma's child from an earlier relationship. During this time, his struggles with substance abuse and constant touring took a toll, which he later confessed had affected his family life in a bad way.
In 1982, he married his second wife, Sharon, who also managed his career. He picked Independence Day, which is July 4, as their wedding date to ensure he would always remember their anniversary. The couple had three kids together: Aimee, born in 1983, Kelly, born in 1984, and Jack, born in 1985. Even though his first family life had its struggles, his marriage to Sharon and the reality show that followed marked a new chapter.
Ozzy Osbourne celebrating his 75th birthday with his family.
Photo from: Kelly Osbourne's Instagram
Osbourne built a legacy that goes beyond music. He helped shape a whole genre and later changed what it means to be a celebrity in the era of reality TV. His life and remarkable music legacy secured his spot as a lasting and admired figure in pop culture.
For more WNN video news stories, visit YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wisenewsnetwork
For further WNN articles and news stories, visit https://wisenewsnetwork.com
Contact WNN at newsdesk@wisenewsnetwork.com
©️Copyright 2025 Wise News Network. All rights reserved.
