Ozzy Osbourne, the heavy metal pioneer who fronted Black Sabbath, shocked and entertained audiences for decades and became an unlikely reality TV star, died Tuesday at 76. His family said he passed away surrounded by loved ones after years of declining health.
“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. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
Black Sabbath’s Lineup in 1970: Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Ozzy Osbourne Black Sabbath’s Lineup in 1970: Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Ozzy Osbourne Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage
Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England, he grew up in poverty and was restless. After quitting school at 15 and spending time in jail for petty theft, he turned to music. In 1969, he joined guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward to form Black Sabbath, a band that would invent the sound and attitude of heavy metal.
Ozzy Osbourne during a photo shoot for the “Blizzard of Ozz” album cover in June 1980. Ozzy Osbourne during a photo shoot for the “Blizzard of Ozz” album cover in June 1980. Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns/Getty Images
Black Sabbath’s 1970 debut and its follow-up, Paranoid, redefined rock. With songs like “Iron Man,” “War Pigs” and the title track, the band paired dark, heavy riffs with lyrics that spoke to alienation and chaos.
Fame came quickly, but so did chaos. Osbourne’s drug and alcohol abuse worsened, and in 1979, his bandmates fired him. He rebounded with Blizzard of Ozz, his first solo album, which sold millions and gave the world “Crazy Train.” His partnership with guitarist Randy Rhoads pushed his music forward until Rhoads was killed in a 1982 plane crash.
Ozzy Osbourne performs during the Los Angeles stop of the the Diary Of A Madman Tour on December 31, 1981. Ozzy Osbourne performs during the Los Angeles stop of the the Diary Of A Madman Tour on December 31, 1981. AP Photo © Kevin Estrada / Media Punch /IPX
His solo career was marked by commercial success and constant controversy. Infamous incidents, including biting the heads off a dove and a bat, became the stuff of legend.
Ozzy Osbourne performs at the Des Moines Veterans Memorial Auditorium in 1982, where he famously bit the head off a bat during the show. Ozzy Osbourne performs at the Des Moines Veterans Memorial Auditorium in 1982, where he famously bit the head off a bat during the show. Paul Natkin/Getty Images
In 1982, he married Sharon Arden. Together, they raised five children and built a family empire.
By the end of the decade, Osbourne was headlining festivals around the world, including a high-profile set at the Moscow Music Peace Festival in 1989, during the final years of the Cold War.
Ozzy Osbourne performs at the Moscow Music Peace Festival 1989 at Luzhniki Stadium in August 1989. Ozzy Osbourne performs at the Moscow Music Peace Festival 1989 at Luzhniki Stadium in August 1989. Photo by Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images
Photos from the late 1980s and 1990s revealed a more private side of Osbourne at home in Beverly Hills with his family, by the pool, or posing for the camera.
In 1996, he launched Ozzfest, a touring festival that introduced a younger generation to heavy metal. Six years later, The Osbournes premiered on MTV. The reality show portrayed him as confused, funny and endearing—a far cry from his stage persona—and won an Emmy.
Ozzy Osbourne, his wife Sharon, and their children Jack and Kelly are shown in this undated photo promoting “The Osbournes.” Ozzy Osbourne, his wife Sharon, and their children Jack and Kelly are shown in this undated photo promoting “The Osbournes.” Photo by Michael Yarish/MTV/Getty Images
Even as his health deteriorated, he continued to record and perform. His late-career albums, Ordinary Man and Patient Number 9, earned Grammy nominations and featured collaborations with rock legends. In 2024, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist, appearing on stage alongside Jack Black and others.
(L-R) Jack Black and Ozzy Osbourne onstage at the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony on October 19, 2024. (L-R) Jack Black and Ozzy Osbourne onstage at the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony on October 19, 2024. Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Earlier this month, he reunited with Black Sabbath for a farewell concert in Birmingham, sitting on a black throne before thousands of fans.
For more than 50 years, Osbourne embodied heavy metal. His life was loud, chaotic and deeply human, a mix of horror and humor that made him one of rock’s most enduring figures.
Ozzy Osbourne sings from a throne at his last-ever live performance on July 5, 2025, in Birmingham, England. Ozzy Osbourne sings from a throne at his last-ever live performance on July 5, 2025, in Birmingham, England. Mercury Studios/Associated Press
“I’ve been a bad guy, been higher than the blue sky,” he once sang. “And the truth is I don’t wanna die an ordinary man.”
