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.
BREAKING: Ozzy Osbourne has died at the age of 76.https://t.co/m26i5ZEj8H
📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/jryOGQRQr1
— Sky News (@SkyNews) July 22, 2025
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.
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.
Just weeks ago, the legendary rocker told thousands of heavy metal enthusiasts at Villa Park – 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.
His final concert raised over £150 million for charity, just two weeks after he gave adoring fans one final incredible performance at his hometown in Birmingham.
