Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath Frontman and Heavy Metal Icon, Dies at 76

The singer, who helped define the sound and image of heavy metal, passed away surrounded by family. He had recently reunited with Black Sabbath for a final performance in Birmingham

Team THR India
By Team THR India
LAST UPDATED: JUL 23, 2025, 15:03 IST|5 min read
Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy OsbourneKevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Ozzy Osbourne, the influential singer and founding member of the pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath, has died at the age of 76, his family confirmed on Tuesday.

“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,” the family said in a statement. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.” No cause of death has been disclosed.

You may also like

Osbourne’s death comes just weeks after he reunited with Black Sabbath for a performance in his hometown of Birmingham, England. Billed as “Back to the Beginning,” the concert marked the first time in two decades that Osbourne performed alongside original members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward. The show was also described as his “final bow.”

Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne

Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham in 1948, he was the son of a factory worker and a toolmaker. After a brief stint in prison as a teenager, he found musical inspiration in The Beatles and went on to form Black Sabbath in 1968. The band’s debut album was recorded in 1969, and its follow-up, Paranoid (1970), propelled them to international fame.

You may also like

Osbourne was known for his theatrical stage presence and infamous antics, including the widely publicised incident of biting the head off a bat during a 1982 concert. Dismissed from Black Sabbath in 1979 due to substance abuse, he launched a solo career that produced 11 studio albums and multiple Grammy wins.

In the early 2000s, Osbourne found renewed fame through the reality television series The Osbournes, which offered a candid look at his family life. The show, which aired from 2002 to 2005, won a Primetime Emmy and helped establish his wife Sharon and children Kelly and Jack as public figures in their own right.

Osbourne was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Black Sabbath in 2006. He won three Grammy Awards as a solo artist, including two in 2023 for best rock album and performance.

Latest News