Ozzy Osbourne, the Iconic “Prince of Darkness,” Dies at 76 After Battling Parkinson’s
The world says farewell to heavy metal’s founding voice
Legendary Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne passed away on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at the age of 76, at his Buckinghamshire home, surrounded by his family. Reports indicate paramedics, including the Thames Valley Air Ambulance, attempted resuscitation for two hours before ultimately pronouncing him dead (News.com.au).
🎤 Career & Legacy
Pioneering Heavy Metal with Black Sabbath
Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, UK, Ozzy rose to fame after co-founding Black Sabbath in 1968. Albums like Paranoid and Master of Reality reshaped rock and laid the foundations for heavy metal (Wikipedia).
Trailblazing Solo Chapter
After parting ways with Sabbath in 1979, Ozzy launched a smash solo career. He dropped the iconic Blizzard of Ozz (1980), delivering unforgettable tracks like “Crazy Train” and “No More Tears,” and sold over 100 million records worldwide (Wikipedia).
Pop Culture Mainstay
He reinvented himself via reality TV (The Osbournes), launched Ozzfest, and earned inductions into both the UK Music Hall of Fame (2005) and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—first with Black Sabbath (2006), later as a solo artist (2024) (Wikipedia).
🩺 Health Struggles & Final Farewell
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Ozzy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, suffering numerous health setbacks: a major 2019 quad-bike accident, spinal surgeries in 2022–2023, loss of mobility, and respiratory infections (People.com).
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In his final weeks, he attended Black Sabbath’s “Back to the Beginning” farewell concert at Villa Park on July 5, performing seated and inspiring bandmate Tony Iommi to say he “held out” just to be there (Wikipedia).
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In his final days, Ozzy shared a touching family breakfast video—capturing a warm morning with daughter Kelly and grandson Sidney—just two days before his death (News.com.au).
🌍 Global Mourning & Tributes
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Fans gathered in his hometown of Birmingham, leaving flowers on Navigation Street, and the Philharmonic Orchestra played tributes at New Street Station (VG).
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Bandmates from Black Sabbath labeled him “irreplaceable” and invoked “Ozzy Forever” in their tributes (The Guardian).
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Fellow musicians, including Elton John, Rod Stewart, and Noel Gallagher, publicly mourned one of rock’s most enduring and rebellious figures (The Scottish Sun).
🔍 SMH Takeaway: The End of an Era
Ozzy Osbourne didn't just grow loud—he grew legends. From Sabbath’s haunted riffs to solo anthems and reality TV stardom, he forged heavy metal’s emotional depth and swagger. Even as his body failed, his spirit roared one last time in Birmingham—on stage, on family morning video, and in global remembrance.
His death marks not just the loss of a voice but a symbol of rebellion, resilience, and raw honesty. Now, we’re left to ask: in a world without Ozzy, who will roar with such unapologetic power?
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