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Rock Icon Passes After Parkinson's Battle
Ozzy Osbourne, the groundbreaking heavy metal vocalist who rose to fame as Black Sabbath's frontman, has died at age 76. His family confirmed his peaceful passing on July 22, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. Osbourne had publicly revealed his Parkinson's diagnosis in 2020.
Founding Metal Pioneer
Black Sabbath Legacy
Osbourne co-founded Black Sabbath in 1968 alongside Tony Iommi, Bill Ward, and Geezer Butler in Birmingham. The band pioneered the heavy metal genre with landmark albums including "Paranoid" (1970) and "Master of Reality" (1971), influencing generations of artists from Metallica to Guns N' Roses. Their distinctive sound featuring downtuned guitars and occult-themed lyrics defined a new musical direction.
Departure and Solo Career
Osbourne was dismissed from Black Sabbath in 1979 due to substance abuse issues. He launched a massively successful solo career with 1980's "Blizzard of Ozz," selling over 100 million records worldwide. His solo work expanded metal's boundaries with hits like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley," blending theatricality with musical innovation.
Cultural Impact and Later Years
Relevision Stardom
MTV's reality series "The Osbournes" (2001-2005) transformed Osbourne into a mainstream icon, showcasing his family life with wife/manager Sharon and children Kelly and Jack. The Emmy-winning show revealed his humorous, family-oriented side to new audiences.
Final Performance
On July 5, 2025, Osbourne reunited with Black Sabbath for a farewell concert in Birmingham - their first full lineup performance in two decades. The emotional show served as his final public appearance amid declining health.
Global Tributes
Music legends worldwide paid homage. Elton John called him "a dear friend and trailblazer," while Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood praised his "magnificent farewell show." Osbourne received dual Rock Hall inductions (Black Sabbath in 2006, solo in 2024) and a 2014 MTV Global Icon Award, cementing his legacy as metal's defining voice.
