Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of the legendary 1970s heavy metal band Black Sabbath, has passed away at the age of 76. Known to millions of fans as “The Prince of Darkness” and the “Godfather of Heavy Metal,” Osbourne’s death was confirmed by his family in a statement on Tuesday. They shared that he was surrounded by loved ones at the time of his passing.
Ozzy Osbourne’s career began in the early 1970s when he became the lead vocalist for Black Sabbath. With hits like “Paranoid,” “War Pigs,” and “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath,” Osbourne helped shape the heavy metal genre and sold over 100 million records worldwide. His music often touched on dark themes, including war, apocalypse, and depression, paired with his theatrical stage presence, which captivated audiences across the globe.
One of Osbourne’s most infamous moments occurred in 1982 when a fan threw a bat on stage, and Osbourne bit its head off, believing it to be a toy. The incident led to a hospital visit for a rabies shot, and Osbourne later capitalized on the event by selling branded bat toys with removable heads. Despite the controversy, Osbourne continued to maintain his playful, often rebellious image.
While conservative and religious groups frequently criticized Osbourne for the perceived negative influence of his music, he dismissed the idea that he was a devil worshipper. In his 2010 biography, he stated, “I’m just John Osbourne: a working-class kid from Aston who quit his job in the factory and went looking for a good time.”
Osbourne’s journey from his tough childhood in Aston, Birmingham, to rock stardom was unexpected. He grew up with dyslexia, left school at 15, and worked various menial jobs, even serving a brief prison sentence for burglary. It was Black Sabbath that changed his life, and as he once humorously reflected, “If you’d have put me up against a wall with the other kids from my street and asked me which one of us was gonna make it to the age of 60… I wouldn’t have put money on me.”
In 2002, Osbourne gained new fans when he starred in the reality TV show “The Osbournes.” The show followed Osbourne and his family, including wife Sharon, children Jack, Kelly, and Aimee, as they navigated daily life in Beverly Hills. His quirky charm and unfiltered personality won him millions of followers worldwide.
In recent years, Osbourne battled Parkinson’s disease, which severely impacted his mobility. During his final concert in July 2023, he performed while seated, thanking the crowd for their support. The concert was a celebration of his decades-long career, with tributes from rock and pop legends like Steven Tyler, James Hetfield, and Elton John.
Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy as a pioneering rock musician and beloved reality TV star will live on. His contributions to music, as well as his ability to reinvent himself throughout his life, have left an indelible mark on the world.
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