Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath frontman and heavy metal icon, dies at 76

Osbourne was instrumental in pioneering heavy metal as his band Black Sabbath enjoyed huge success in the 70s.

Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of heavy metal group Black Sabbath, has died at the age of 76, his family announced in a statement.

The raucous singer, who had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, passed away on Tuesday just over two weeks after playing a farewell concert in his home city of Birmingham, England.

“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,” read the family’s statement.

“He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”

Osbourne was instrumental in pioneering heavy metal – an offshoot of hard rock – as Black Sabbath enjoyed huge commercial success in the 1970s.

Nicknamed the “Prince of Darkness”, he once bit off the head of a bat while on stage.

Born as John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948 in Birmingham, he left school at 15 and did odd jobs including factory work before teaming up with school friend Geezer Butler in several bands.

Later, he switched gears to appear as a sweet father on the reality TV show “The Osbournes”.

FOzzy Osbourne (C) and his wife Sharon pose with Geezer Butler (2nd L) of Black Sabbath, Zakk Wylde (L) and Slipknot member Corey Taylor (R) [File: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters]

He ended his wild career earlier this month when Black Sabbath belted their most iconic songs in front of some 42,000 fans at Villa Park, home of Premier League football club Aston Villa.

“It’s the last song ever. Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle … Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” Osbourne had told the crowd after finishing the set with “Paranoid” – the band’s most famous song.

“Black Sabbath are the Beatles of heavy metal. Anybody who’s serious about metal will tell you it all comes down to Sabbath,” Dave Navarro of the band Jane’s Addiction wrote in a 2010 tribute in Rolling Stone.

“There’s a direct line you can draw back from today’s metal, through eighties bands like Iron Maiden, back to Sabbath.”

Osbourne is survived by Sharon, and their three children – Kelly, Aimee and Jack.

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne smile as they posein Beverly Hills, California, November 26, 2007 [File: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters]