BIRMINGHAM, UK — Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic voice of British heavy metal and a cultural force across music and television, has died at the age of 76 following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. His passing was confirmed Tuesday by the BBC.
Osbourne, often referred to as the “Prince of Darkness,” was a founding member of the pioneering band Black Sabbath and went on to achieve massive success as a solo artist. In recent decades, he became a household name with a new generation through his hit reality show The Osbournes.
Just two weeks before his death, Osbourne took the stage one final time in his hometown of Birmingham at “Back to the Beginning,” a monumental festival billed as Black Sabbath’s farewell concert. The event served as a tribute not only to Osbourne but to the legacy of Sabbath, with performances and appearances by metal titans like Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Tool, Pantera, Alice in Chains, and others who cited him as a major influence.
From underground icon to global phenomenon, Osbourne’s mark on music, culture, and rebellion will continue to echo for generations.
Photo: Ross Halfin