Ozzy Osbourne Dead at 76: The Godfather of Heavy Metal – From Birmingham’s Streets to Global Immortality

Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in the working-class city of Birmingham, England, he would grow up to become one of the most iconic figures in music history. On Tuesday, at the age of 76, Ozzy passed away surrounded by his loved ones. The world has lost the “Prince of Darkness,” but what he created with his voice, soul, and madness will echo for generations. 

His family shared the heartbreaking news: 

“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. He was with his family and surrounded by love.” 

His death came just weeks after his final performance, a farewell concert titled Back to the Beginning, held in his hometown of Birmingham. There, he reunited with his original Black Sabbath bandmates: Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and Tony Iommi. It was a historic night. Nobody knew it would be his last. 

Ozzy grew up in a blue-collar household. His dad was a toolmaker; his mom worked in a factory. Life was tough. School wasn’t his thing. By age 15, Ozzy had dropped out and bounced between odd jobs — from construction sites to slaughterhouses. He even tried burglary, but after a six-week stint in prison (because his dad refused to pay his fine), he realized he needed something else. 

That something was music. The Beatles’ “She Loves You” was his moment of revelation. “I knew I wanted to be a rock star,” Ozzy wrote in his 2009 autobiography I Am Ozzy. 

In 1967, bassist Geezer Butler invited Ozzy to join his band along with guitarist Tony Iommi and drummer Bill Ward. After a few name changes, they settled on Black Sabbath, inspired by horror movies and their love of the eerie. Their debut album was recorded in just two days in 1969 — raw, real, and revolutionary. 

Their second album Paranoid exploded. With dark riffs and occult themes, Black Sabbath created a new genre: Heavy Metal. Ozzy’s haunting voice, paired with the band’s heavy sound, turned fear into art. 

Ozzy didn’t care for the “heavy metal” label, he preferred “Prince of Darkness.” But no matter what you called him, he became the soul of a sound that shocked, thrilled, and inspired millions. 

Black Sabbath dominated the ’70s, but internal struggles and Ozzy’s substance abuse caught up with them. In 1979, he was fired. Most would’ve fallen. Ozzy rose. 

With Sharon Arden (his future wife and manager) at his side, he launched a solo career that was just as powerful, maybe more. Albums like Blizzard of Ozz and songs like Crazy Train, Mr. Crowley, and Mama, I’m Coming Home proved Ozzy was a force of his own. 

On January 20, 1982, Ozzy bit the head off a bat during a show in Des Moines, Iowa. He thought it was fake. It wasn’t. That moment would haunt, and define, his image. He didn’t care. “What do bats taste like?” he joked later. “Like my mother-in-law’s cooking.” 

Through it all, the drugs never left. Nor did the chaos. But neither did the genius. 

Ozzy was wild, often dangerous to himself, but always authentic. “Looking back, I should have died a thousand times,” he admitted in the documentary God Bless Ozzy Osbourne. 

Sharon Osbourne, daughter of music manager Don Arden, was just 28 when she began managing Ozzy in 1979. Their romance turned serious fast. They married in 1982, against her father’s wishes. As a “wedding gift,” Don gave Sharon Ozzy’s contract. She returned the favor by pulling Ozzy from his father-in-law’s label and signing him to CBS. 

The feud lasted decades. But Sharon became Ozzy’s backbone, his savior during dark times. She helped him battle addiction, raise their children, and build a media empire. 

In 2002, The Osbournes premiered on MTV. It was chaotic, hilarious, and heartfelt. Audiences loved it. Ozzy, confused and stumbling through everyday life, became an unlikely TV star. Sharon, Kelly, Jack, and Aimee all gained fame. 

The show won an Emmy and turned the Osbournes into pop culture royalty. It also showed the world that behind the bat-biting madman was a husband and dad who deeply loved his family. 

Ozzy’s career spanned over five decades. He sold over 100 million records. He won multiple Grammy Awards, solo and with Black Sabbath. In 2006, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

His final Grammy wins came in 2023, a remarkable feat for someone who once doubted he’d live to see 30. That same year, he officially ended his touring career due to health problems but continued to hope for one final performance. 

“I just want to be well enough to do one show,” he told Rolling Stone. “And if I drop dead at the end of it, I’ll die a happy man.” 

In recent years, Ozzy faced a series of health issues: pneumonia, a severe fall, multiple surgeries, and Parkinson’s disease, which he revealed in 2020. Still, he performed at the closing of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, because Ozzy never gave up. 

Even when he had to cancel shows, his spirit remained fierce. “I’m taking it one day at a time,” he said. “If I can perform again, I will.” 

And perform he did, one last time, in the summer of 2024. At Back to the Beginning, thousands cheered as Ozzy took the stage in Birmingham with Sabbath. Tony, Bill, and Geezer were there. The crowd cried, roared, and sang along. 

That night was magic. It was history. It was goodbye. 

Ozzy leaves behind six children, his wife Sharon, and a global family of fans. His bandmates shared emotional tributes: 

Geezer Butler: “Goodbye dear friend… 4 kids from Aston, who’d have thought?” 

Tony Iommi: “There will never be another like him. We’ve lost our brother.” 

Bill Ward: “Never goodbye. Thank you forever.” 

Ozzy Osbourne wasn’t just a musician. He was a symbol of rebellion, a survivor of madness, and a voice for outsiders everywhere. He changed music forever, and he did it his way. 

He once said: 

“By 12 o’clock in the old days, I’d have powder up my nose, s**t in my veins… I should have died a thousand times, but never did.” 

Now, the Prince of Darkness rests. But his music? His madness? His heart? Those live on. 

Rest in Power, Ozzy. You gave us everything. We’ll never forget.