Ozzy Osbourne, Heavy Metal Icon And Black Sabbath Frontman, Dies At 76
- The New York Editorial Desk - Arif
- Jul 22
- 3 min read
Tone & Political Bias: Center
Why: The article focuses solely on Osbourne’s personal life, musical legacy, and health struggles without political framing or commentary.
The News
Ozzy Osbourne, legendary frontman of Black Sabbath and solo rock icon, has died at age 76, as confirmed by the Associated Press. He had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019 and faced a series of health setbacks in the years that followed, including major spinal injuries that ended his ability to tour. Despite his physical decline, Osbourne remained musically active until his final years.
A Career That Shaped Metal
Born in Birmingham, U.K., Osbourne rose to fame in 1968 when he co-founded Black Sabbath with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. The band helped define the heavy metal genre with iconic tracks like “Iron Man,” “Paranoid,” and “War Pigs.”
His distinctive voice and dark theatrical persona became foundational to heavy metal’s image. After being dismissed from the band in 1979 due to substance abuse, Osbourne began a solo career that would outshine even his groundbreaking work with Sabbath.
Rise, Fall, And Resurgence
Following his exit from Black Sabbath, Osbourne launched a solo career with help from virtuoso guitarist Randy Rhoads. Hits such as “Crazy Train,” “Bark at the Moon,” and “No More Tears” solidified his place in rock history.
He also achieved mainstream success with the duet “Close My Eyes Forever” alongside Lita Ford. His career saw multiple reunions with Black Sabbath, including a final studio album, 13, in 2013 and a farewell tour titled The End from 2016 to 2017.
Family, Fame, And Reality TV
In the early 2000s, Osbourne reached a new generation of fans through the MTV reality show The Osbournes, which featured his wife Sharon and children Kelly and Jack. The show ran from 2002 to 2005 and helped popularize celebrity family-based reality television. Osbourne and his son Jack later co-starred in another reality series, Ozzy & Jack’s World Detour, which premiered in 2016.
Later Years And Final Efforts
In 2019, Osbourne publicly disclosed his Parkinson’s diagnosis and revealed a severe fall that had led to three spinal surgeries. Though his vocal abilities remained intact, his body could no longer sustain the physical demands of touring.
He officially canceled his 2023 tour dates and declared the end of his live performances. One of his final appearances was at the closing ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, a moment he described as deeply meaningful.
Accolades And Recognition
Osbourne won five Grammy Awards as a solo artist and two more with Black Sabbath. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 as a member of the band. In 2022, his 13th solo album Patient Number 9 debuted at No. 3 in the U.S. and No. 2 in the U.K., winning Best Metal Performance at the Grammys for “Degradation Rules,” which featured Tony Iommi. Black Sabbath was also honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
Personal Life
Osbourne married Sharon Osbourne in 1982, and the couple had three children: Aimee, Kelly, and Jack. He was previously married to Thelma Riley, with whom he had two children, Jessica and Louis, and he adopted her son Elliot. Sharon, also his longtime manager, played a key role in his career resurgence and created the Ozzfest tour in 1996, which became a staple of the heavy metal scene for decades.
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