Washington D.C. [US], July 23: John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne, the renowned Black Sabbath leader, died on Tuesday morning at the age of 76. The music industry is in grief. Osbourne’s family said he died peacefully after a long fight with Parkinson’s disease and rehabilitation from several spinal surgeries.
We are so sad to have to tell you that our dear Ozzy Osbourne died this morning. He was with his family and loved ones. His family said in a statement, “We ask that everyone respect our family’s privacy at this time.”
One Last Bow and a Lasting Memory
Osbourne gave a moving performance from a throne on stage at Villa Park in his hometown of Birmingham, England, just under three weeks ago, even though he was having health problems. The event, which was called “Back to the Beginning,” was said to be Black Sabbath’s last show and a huge tribute to the band’s huge legacy. Ozzy thanked the fans from the bottom of his heart, saying, “You have no idea how I feel.” A lot of big rock and metal bands, such Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Tool, Pantera, and Alice in Chains, played and paid tribute during the event.
After the news of his death, musicians and people in the industry filled social media with tributes:
Metallica’s official X (previously Twitter) account posted a picture of the band with Osbourne and a broken heart emoji to show how much they cared.
Jack White, a singer, uploaded a picture of a young Osbourne with the short but powerful statement “He made it.”
Rob Zombie posted a series of pictures of Osbourne on his official social media platforms with the caption “Goodbye Ozzy.” Thank you for everything. Being with you was always a lot of fun. We will miss you.
Yungblud, a British rock musician who last saw Osbourne during Black Sabbath’s last show in July, wrote a touching homage. He remembered giving Osbourne a custom-made cross necklace as a way to return a gift from Ozzy, who had given Yungblud the cross from his own neck. Yungblud’s letter was sad: “I didn’t think you would leave so soon. The last time we met, you were so full of life and your laugh filled the room.” But since it’s inscribed with legends, they seem to know things we don’t. You will always be in my heart and in every note I sing. You will be with me every time I go on stage. He ended by saying that Osbourne was “the greatest of all time.”
Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones tweeted that he was “very sad to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne.” He also remembered the heavy metal legend’s recent “lovely goodbye concert he had at Back To The Beginning in Birmingham.”
Elton John also paid tribute to Osbourne by commenting on social media on how much he meant to music and his own life.
People had known about Osbourne’s health problems for a long time. He told everyone he had Parkinson’s illness in January 2020. In February 2023, he formally said he was done traveling because he was having trouble because of spinal problems he got in an accident in 2018. The famous rocker talks more about his health problems and last concert experience in a different Paramount+ documentary called “No Escape From Now,” which will come out later this year.
Ozzy Osbourne had a huge impact on heavy metal and rock music, and his one-of-a-kind personality drew in millions of fans outside of music. As the “Prince of Darkness,” he leaves behind a legacy that can’t be matched.