The world of heavy metal lost its most iconic figure when Ozzy Osbourne passed away on July 22, 2025, at age 76. The legendary Black Sabbath frontman and solo artist left an indelible mark on rock history (and yours truly) that spans over five decades.
Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England, Ozzy's journey from working-class roots to global superstardom is the stuff of legend. As the voice behind Black Sabbath's revolutionary sound, he helped pioneer heavy metal alongside Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. All nine albums he recorded with Black Sabbath went gold, with five achieving platinum status.
His solo career proved even more commercially successful after being fired from Sabbath in 1979. Seven of his solo releases went top 10 on the Billboard 200, while 17 of his singles made the top 10 of the Mainstream Rock Songs chart. Albums like "Blizzard of Ozz" and "No More Tears" cemented his status as a solo force.
Beyond music, Ozzy conquered television with MTV's "The Osbournes," introducing the Prince of Darkness to a new generation. His creation of Ozzfest in 1996 became one of the most successful and enduring festival tours of all time.
His death comes just weeks after Black Sabbath's final concert on July 5, which netted $190 million, making it the highest grossing charity concert of all time. Despite battling Parkinson's disease in recent years, Ozzy performed one last time for his beloved Birmingham fans.
His distinctive vocals, theatrical stage presence, and uncompromising spirit transformed rock music forever. The Prince of Darkness may be gone, but his legacy will echo through eternity.
Rest in peace, Ozzy. You truly were unforgettable.
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