Black Sabbath frontman, media personality, and Prince of Darkness Ozzy Osbourne has passed away on July 22 at the age of 76. The legendary singer and songwriter died after battling Parkinson’s for many years – and only three weeks after his final on-stage performance.
When considering some of the most iconic and influential faces in theheavy metal music genre, Ozzy Osbourne is one of the first names that comes to mind. In the nearly 60 years since founding Black Sabbath in 1968, Osbourne has put out nearly two dozen albums, split between solo projects and his work with the band.
Sadly, Osbourne’s impressive career and iconic life have come to an end. On July 22, Sharon Osbourne – Ozzy’s wife and manager – along with children Jack, Kelly, Aimee, and Louis, announced on the official Ozzy Osbourne Instagram that the artist had passed away. “He was with his family and surrounded by love,” the post read. “We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.” Osbourne died at age 76, after battling Parkin Syndrome since 2005, and Parkinson’s disease since 2019.
The Legacy of Ozzy Osbourne
The heavy metal legend’s passing came less than three weeks after his final live performance during the Back to the Beginning farewell tour, alongside original Black Sabbath band members Tony Iommi, Bill Ward, and Geezer Butler.Back To The Beginning: Ozzy’s Final Bow, a recording of this final show in Osbourne’s hometown of Birmingham, England, will be coming to theaters in early 2026, featuring the ultimate live performances of metal classics like “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid.” Osbourne’s memoir,Last Rites, was also in the works, though it remains to be seen if his passing will affect the book’s release.
Though Osbourne is most known for his massive music career, the artist influenced tons of other media as well. He has appeared in movies likeAustin Powers in GoldmemberandTrolls World Tour, television shows likeSouth ParkandCSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and even his own reality show,The Osbournes. In gaming, Osbourne was a rocker inGuitar Hero World Tour, the Guardian of Metal inBrutal Legend, and a wrestler inWWE Champions. The Prince of Darkness also appeared in a hilarious commercial forWorld of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King –even performing at BlizzCon in 2009 to celebrate the expansion – and anotherad forHorizon Call of the Mountainmore recently. Beyond that, his music has appeared in countless video games, includingGrand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
Osbourne’s life was one full of highs and lows, but the beloved Prince of Darkness will be sorely missed by fans. Even though he is gone, the larger-than-life artist’s impact and legacy will continue to last.
