A statement from his 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.”
He had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019.
As frontman of Black Sabbath, he was at the forefront of the heavy metal scene – a deeper, darker offshoot of hard rock.
His theatrical stage presence, including once biting off the head of a bat, and styling himself as the Prince of Darkness marked him out as a controversial figure.
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Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3 1948 in Aston, Birmingham, he left school at 15 and did odd jobs including factory work before teaming up with school friend Geezer Butler in several bands.
Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – July 22nd
Earlier this month, he bid a farewell to fans with a Black Sabbath reunion, telling thousands of heavy metal enthusiasts at Villa Park, Birmingham – a stone’s throw from where Black Sabbath was formed in 1968 – that it was “so good to be on this stage” as he performed his last set from a large black throne.
Osbourne and his fellow original Black Sabbath members – Tony Iommi, Terence “Geezer” Butler and Bill Ward – were the last to appear on stage as part of a star-studded line-up for the Back to the Beginning concert.
Tributes paid to Ozzy Osbourne
Heavy-metal band Metallica paid tribute by posting simply a broken heart emoji.
The White Stripes frontman, Jack White, shared an image of a young Osbourne with the caption, “He made it.”
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Elton John said: “So sad to hear the news of @ozzyosbourne passing away. 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.”
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The official social media accounts for filmmaker and heavy metal musician, Rob Zombie, posted a carousel of images of Osbourne, adding “Goodbye Ozzy. Thanks for everything. It was always a blast being around you. You will be missed.”
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Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones said in a tweet he was “very sad to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne.” He continued, “What a lovely goodbye concert he had at Back To The Beginning in Birmingham.”
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Black Sabbath’s account on X posted a photo of Osbourne from the gig with the caption: “Ozzy Forever!”