Remembering Ozzy Osbourne: The Prince of Darkness (1948–2025)

He bit the head off a bat, invented a whole genre with three friends from Birmingham and became America's favorite reality TV dad. Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness, died on July 22, 2025, at age 76, just weeks after one last triumphant concert in his hometown. His death certificate later listed a heart attack as the cause, with Parkinson's disease and coronary artery disease as contributing conditions.

Four Lads From Birmingham

Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, the youngest of four children in a working-class Birmingham family, Ozzy found his escape in music. In the late 1960s he teamed with guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward to form Black Sabbath. Their self-titled debut arrived in February 1970, reportedly on Friday the 13th, and its heavy, doom-laden sound is widely credited with giving birth to heavy metal. Albums like Paranoid followed, with classics including "War Pigs," "Iron Man" and the title track.

Going Solo

Iommi had Ozzy fired from Black Sabbath in 1979, but his solo career quickly proved even bigger. His 1980 debut, Blizzard of Ozz, went platinum and featured "Crazy Train," powered by the dazzling guitar of Randy Rhoads. Over the next four decades, Ozzy sold millions of records, won Grammy Awards and remained one of hard rock's biggest concert draws.

The Osbournes and Ozzfest

In 1996, Ozzy and his wife and manager, Sharon, launched Ozzfest, a touring festival that gave a stage to generations of hard rock and metal bands. Then, in 2002, MTV's The Osbournes invited viewers into the family's chaotic Beverly Hills home. The show ran for four seasons and introduced the Prince of Darkness to a whole new audience as a lovable, bewildered dad.

The Final Years

In early 2020, Ozzy revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. A serious spinal injury and multiple surgeries forced him to cancel his final tour dates in early 2023, and he later announced his retirement from touring. But he had one more show in him. On July 5, 2025, he reunited with the original Black Sabbath lineup for "Back to the Beginning" in Birmingham, a star-studded farewell that also featured Metallica, Slayer, Tool and many others.

A Legacy Made of Metal

Ozzy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, with Black Sabbath in 2006 and as a solo artist in 2024. He is survived by Sharon, their children Aimee, Kelly and Jack, his children Jessica, Louis and Elliot from his first marriage, and his grandchildren. Every metal band that ever cranked up a heavy riff owes something to the kid from Birmingham who never stopped being himself.

What's your favorite Ozzy song, from the Black Sabbath years or his solo career? Share it in the comments below.