Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary British rocker who helped define heavy metal music as the lead vocalist of Black Sabbath, has died at the age of 76.

The news was confirmed by his family, who said he passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, surrounded by loved ones. “It is with more sadness than words can express that we share the news of Ozzy Osbourne’s passing,” their statement read, adding a request for privacy during this time of mourning.

Osbourne’s death comes just weeks after his emotional farewell performance, where he reunited with the original Black Sabbath line-up. The July 2025 concert featured tributes from major bands like Metallica, Guns N’ Roses and Tool, with thousands of fans attending to honour the prince of darkness.

Born in Birmingham, Osbourne became famous in the early 1970s as the frontman of Black Sabbath. Their 1969 self-titled debut album and the 1970 follow-up Paranoid—which included iconic tracks such as Iron Man and War Pigs—ushered in a darker, heavier sound that revolutionised rock music.

Osbourne’s time with Sabbath was as chaotic as it was creative. He was dismissed from the band in 1979 due to substance abuse and erratic behaviour, but went on to carve out a wildly successful solo career. Albums like Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman featured fan favourites including Crazy Train and Flying High Again.

Despite controversies—most infamously, biting the head off a bat on stage—Ozzy later revealed a gentler side through the hit reality show The Osbournes, showing him as a loving father and eccentric figure navigating fame.

In 2020, he publicly revealed his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, which forced him to scale back performances. Nevertheless, his legacy remained undiminished. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Black Sabbath in 2006 and again as a solo artist in 2024.

Artists across generations have credited Osbourne and Black Sabbath with shaping the foundation of metal music. Pantera’s Phil Anselmo said, “I wouldn’t be here without Black Sabbath.”

Fans and musicians around the world are now mourning the loss of a pioneer, a performer, and a cultural icon whose influence will echo for decades.