Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath frontman, dies aged 76

Ozzy Osbourne at his farewell concert at Villa Park, Birmingham, earlier this month - Ross Halfin

In a statement announcing his death, the family 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 privacy at this time.”

Kelly, Ozzy, Sharon and Jack Osbourne at the 56th Grammy awards in Los Angeles in 2014 - Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Osbourne was one of rock’s great characters, a heavy metal icon who found fame as the frontman of Black Sabbath and revelled in being known as the Prince of Darkness.

He found a new legion of fans in the pioneering reality show The Osbournes, which chronicled his chaotic family life in Los Angeles and cast him as a loveable eccentric.

He had suffered from a number of health problems in recent years and was diagnosed with a form of Parkinson’s disease in 2019.

Ozzy Osbourne was a leading figure in the world of rock music

He made his last public appearance on July 5 at the Black Sabbath: Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park, bringing down the curtain on his extraordinary rock career. It was an emotional return to his home city of Birmingham.

Osbourne appeared on stage seated on a black throne festooned with a bat – a nod to the most notorious moment of his career, when he bit the head off a bat after apparently mistaking it for a rubber toy.

Despite his frailty, he performed five songs with his solo band and four with Black Sabbath – joining original members Tony Iommi, Terence ‘Geezer’ Butler and Bill Ward – and was visibly moved by the crowd’s response. The event was said to have raised £140 million for charity.

His wife, Sharon, said when the concert was announced that her husband had been determined to say a proper goodbye to his fans. “This is his full stop,” she said.

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, who were married in 1982 - Dave Hogan/Getty Images

Besides Parkinson’s disease, Osbourne underwent surgery to his neck in 2019 after a fall, which left him with nerve damage, and also suffered two bouts of pneumonia. He required further spinal surgery in 2022, which forced him to announce his retirement from touring in 2023.

He spoke publicly about his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2020, but said he had suspected for years that his shuffling gait and tremor were signs of the disease.

In an interview with The Telegraph in 2020, he expressed amazement that he had reached his 70s, given the wild life that he had led.

“I ain’t done so bad. At the end of the day I’ve had a great life,” he said.

Osborne getting his teeth pecked by his pet parakeet in California in 1997 - Eddie Sanderson

Tributes poured in from the music world.

Iommi said he “can’t really find the words” following the “heart-breaking news” of his bandmate’s death.

In a social media post, which included a photo of the pair together, Iommi said: “I just can’t believe it! My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park.

“It’s just such heart-breaking news that I can’t really find the words, there won’t ever be another like him. Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother.

“My thoughts go out to Sharon and all the Osbourne family. Rest in peace Oz. Tony.”

Fans lay flowers on Osbourne’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame - AP

Butler, the Black Sabbath bassist, said he was “so glad” he was able to perform a final time with Osbourne.

He said: “Goodbye dear friend – thanks for all those years – we had some great fun. 4 kids from Aston – who’d have thought, eh?

“So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.”

Ward, the Black Sabbath drummer, said: “Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls, no, you’re forever in my heart.

“Deepest condolences to Sharon and all family members. RIP Sincere regrets to all the fans. Never goodbye. Thank you forever. Bill Ward.”

Sir Elton John said: “He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods – a true legend. He was also one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love.”

Ronnie Wood, who performed at the farewell gig, said: “I am so very sad to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne. What a lovely goodbye concert he had at Back to the Beginning.” Metallica, who also performed, posted a picture of them with Osbourne, captioned with the image of a broken heart.

Sir Brian May said the singer’s last concert “was a glorious way to say goodbye” to the heavy metal vocalist.

The Queen guitarist said on social media: “So sad to hear of Ozzie’s passing. His last appearance at Villa Park was a glorious way to say goodbye – the love in that place for him was gigantic.

“I’m grateful I was able to have a few quiet words with him after the show. And happy to know he passed peacefully with his loving family close by.

“But the world will miss Ozzie’s unique presence and fearless talent. My heartfelt consolations to Sharon and their great family.

“And to Bill and Geezer and my dear friend Tony – for this is family – I know only too well. REST IN PEACE dear Ozzie. Bri.”

Sammy Hagar, the former Van Halen frontman, said Osbourne “will always be a one of a kind true rock legend” in a tribute recalling his final concert.

He said: “Ozzy Osbourne was and will always be a one of a kind true rock legend. 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. Talk about commitment and loyalty to your fans. Nobody’s going to out-do that ever! RIP my brother, you did it all.”

Osbourne’s first name was John but he was nicknamed “Ozzy” at primary school and it stuck. He left school at 15 and after trying his hand at a variety of occupations – including working in a slaughterhouse – he became a founder member of Black Sabbath in 1968. They became one of the most influential bands of the age.

His wild days of drink and drugs included snorting a line of live ants by a hotel pool and being fired from the band in 1979. They also led to darker moments, including trying to strangle Sharon. But she stood by him, as his wife and manager, and their devoted marriage was at the heart of The Osbournes, which ran from 2002-2005 and was at one point the most-viewed series in MTV history.

Osborne stripped off in his swimming pool in Beverly Hills, California, in June 1987 - Eddie Sanderson/Getty Images

Alan Edwards, founder of PR company The Outside Organisation, which worked with Osbourne, said: “Ozzy was an absolute gentleman to deal with. He really belied his scary image and was the most relaxed and nice man to be around.”

Osbourne’s wild moments included biting off the head of a bat during a 1982 show after mistaking it for a rubber toy.

In the early 2000s, he and his family gained a new level of fame when they starred in the pioneering reality show The Osbournes on MTV.

The fly-on-the-wall series documented their chaotic lifestyle in Los Angeles and became a worldwide hit.

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