• Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of Black Sabbath, passed away at the age of 76.
• His death was announced just weeks after a farewell concert in his hometown of Birmingham.
• Osbourne battled health issues, including Parkinson's disease, in recent years.
• Tributes have poured in from musicians and fans alike, reflecting on his influence and legacy.
• He is remembered for hits like “Crazy Train” and “Paranoid,” and his infamous stage antics.

Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of the heavy metal group Black Sabbath, has died at the age of 76, his family confirmed. "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 surrounded by family and love," the family stated. This news follows closely after Osbourne's farewell concert in Birmingham, England, just weeks earlier, where he performed to over 40,000 fans, marking his return alongside original bandmates for the first time in 20 years, according to CBS News, BBC, HuffPost, and Al Jazeera.

Osbourne's health issues had become public knowledge when he announced his diagnosis of Parkinson's disease in 2020 after suffering a fall. His struggles with alcohol and drug addiction have been well-documented throughout his career, impacting both his personal life and professional relationships. In a career spanning over five decades, Osbourne not only helped to create the heavy metal genre but also left an indelible mark on rock music as a whole, according to India Times and Channel News Asia.

Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham in 1948, he left school at the age of 15 and initially struggled to find his way before forming Black Sabbath with other local musicians. The band released their self-titled album in 1970, which is often credited with laying the groundwork for heavy metal music. Hits like "Paranoid," "Iron Man," and "War Pigs" solidified their place in rock history, selling over 100 million records worldwide, as noted by SFGate and NPR.

Osbourne was known for both his heavy riffs and his eccentric performances, famously biting the heads off bats and doves during concerts—a persona that shaped the 'rock star' archetype. His larger-than-life character later found a new audience through the family reality TV series "The Osbournes," which portrayed him in a more domestic light, revealing a softer side to the "Prince of Darkness," according to Bangkok Post, and Newsweek.

His passing has garnered an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow musicians alike. Notable tributes have come from Elton John, who remembered Osbourne as a "trailblazer," and fellow bandmates who expressed their heartbreak at his loss. "We’ve lost our brother," Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath said, reflecting the deep connection shared among the band members during their historic career, according to Le Monde and Newsweek.