Ozzy Osbourne Mick Hutson/Redferns/Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on X Share to Flipboard Send an Email Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Print the Article Post a Comment Ozzy Osbourne, the pioneering heavy metal singer who rose to prominence in the early '70s with Black Sabbath before establishing a successful solo career and later played himself on reality TV, has died. He was 76 years old. 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," Osbourne's family confirmed in statement to the BBC. "He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time."His death comes just weeks after he played his final show in Birmingham, England earlier this month, reuniting with Black Sabbath and joined by star-studded roster including Metallica, Guns n' Roses and Steven Tyler among others. Related Stories Business ADA President Cat Kreidich Leaving Warner Music News Shia LaBeouf Settles Sexual Battery, Abuse Lawsuit From FKA Twigs Osbourne is known as one of the most influential artists of his generation, an instrumental force in establishing metal music. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Black Sabbath in 2006, then for a second time as a solo artist in 2024. has sold more than 100 million records worldwide in total, and was inducted into the U.K. Music Hall of Fame as both a solo artist and for his work in the band. Born Dec. 3, 1948 in Aston, West Midlands, U.K., Osbourne was the son of a toolmaker father and factory worker mom, with three older sisters and two younger brothers. He's had the nickname "Ozzy" since primary school. As he became a global star, he'd dawn another nickname as "the prince of darkness." Drawn to the stage in school, he became a huge fan of The Beatles at 14, crediting "She Loves You" with inspiring him to want to be a musician. Ozzy left school at 15 to work construction, as a plumber, car factory horn-tuner and an apprentice tool-maker. He committed a series of petty crimes growing up, and he spent six weeks in prison after being found guilty of robbing a clothing shop and not paying the fine. In 1967, Geezer Butler formed the group Rare Breed and recruited Osbourne as vocalist before breaking up after two shows. The two reunited in Polka Tulk Blues, along with Mythology guitarist Tony Iommi and drummer Bill Ward, renaming themselves Earth, then Black Sabbath in Aug. 1969 after 1963 Italian-French horror film starring Boris Karloff. The group's approach was dark and gloomy, with Butler's nocturnal vision of a dark figure at the end of his bed inspiring the band's title track. Built around Iommi's thundering guitar, Butler's spooky lyrics, Ward's doomy drum beats and Ozzy's eerie caterwaul, the band's self-titled debut and second album, Paranoid, were both popular successes. At around this time, Osbourne met his future wife, Sharon Arden, leading to hiring her father, Don Arden, as their manager. Master of Reality was released in July 1971 and is widely regarded as providing the foundation of stoner rock, and sludge metal. The album went on to sell more than two million copies and was the band's only Top 10 U.S. album until 13 in 2013. Osbourne was plagued by drug and alcohol abuse, including a failed marriage to Thelma Riley, which produced a daughter Jessica and son Louis. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath followed in November 1973, dubbed by Rolling Stone, "an extraordinarily gripping affair... nothing less than a complete success." Sabotage came out in July 1975, with Technical Ecstasy released in Sept. 1976, as the positive reviews were replaced by criticism that the band was "unravelling at an alarming rate," according to Allmusic. Osbourne left the band in 1979 to launch a solo project, Blizzard of Ozz, but Ozzy rejoined Sabbath after three months to write and record "Never Say Die." The subsequent tour did little to inspire, with Osbourne's last appearance in Sabbath taking place Dec. 11, 1978 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. When they re-entered the studio, Osbourne's vocals were continually tweaked by Iommi, and he was eventually fired from Black Sabbath in April 1979, replaced by Rainbow's Ronnie James Dio. Signed to Don Arden's Jet Records, Ozzy began to be looked after by Arden's daughter Sharon in Los Angeles, where the two were married on July 4, 1982. The new incarnation of Blizzard of Ozz included Uriah Heep drummer Lee Kerslake, Rainbow bassist/lyricist Bob Daisley and keyboardist Don Airey and Quiet Riot guitarist Randy Rhoads. Their self-titled debut turned into a multi-platinum success, as of 1997, selling four million. Ozzy's second album, Diary Of A Madman, established Rhoads as a full-fledged star in his own right, with singles like "Over The Mountain" and "Flying High Again." Eventually, drummer Tommy Aldridge and bassist Rudy Sarzo