Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath frontman, dead at 76
Ozzy Osbourne, the frontman of English rock band Black Sabbath, died at the age of 76, his family announced on Tuesday.
"He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time," the statement from his family said.
Osbourne had revealed in 2020 that he had Parkinson's disease after suffering a fall.
Britain's Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, a member of parliament representing a Birmingham constituency mourned Osbourne's death in a post on X, saying she was "devastated to hear the news."
"One of the greatest gifts my city gave the world," she said.
An honour to have celebrated the extraordinary life and legacy of Ozzy Osbourne just weeks ago.
Devastated to hear the news of his death today. One of the greatest gifts my city gave the world.
My thoughts are with his family.
In Ozzy's own words: Birmingham forever. pic.twitter.com/SWfgYiJdty
— Shabana Mahmood MP (@ShabanaMahmood) July 22, 2025
Tributes flow for Ozzy Osbourne
Music icon Elton John mourned Osbourne in a post on Instagram, describing him as "a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods — a true legend."
ADVERTISEMENT
"He was also one of the funniest people I've ever met. I will miss him dearly," John wrote.
Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood said he was "very sad" to learn of Osbourne's death, calling the rockstar's final concert in Birmingham last week "a lovely goodbye."
Meanwhile, Nirvana said Black Sabbath was "the template for heavy Rock."
"Thank you Ozzy Osbourne for the inspiration," the band said.
Thank you Ozzy Osbourne for the inspiration. @BlackSabbath is the template for heavy Rock. #Ozzy
— Nirvana (@Nirvana) July 22, 2025
KISS singer Gene Simmons also offered his condolences to Osbourne's family. "He was a giant. Admired and loved by millions of fans worldwide," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Meanwhile Rod Stewart posted: "Bye, bye Ozzy. Sleep well, my friend. I'll see you up there — later rather than sooner."
From working-class Birmingham to 'Godfather of Heavy Metal'
John Michael Osbourne was born in 1948 and grew up in England's central city of Birmingham, the fourth of six children in a working-class family.
He struggled with dyslexia as a child, leaving school at age 15 to a series of menial jobs. He even served a brief prison sentence at one point for burglary.
Osbourne's musical career kicked off in the 1970s as the frontman of heavy metal band Black Sabbath. Hits like "Paranoid," "War Pigs" and "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" shot the band to fame.
He was known to fans as "The Prince of Darkness" and the "Godfather of Heavy Metal."
He became famously known for biting the head off a bat onstage. Osbourne always insisted he thought the bat, thrown onstage by one of the fans, was a toy when he bit into it in 1982.
ADVERTISEMENT
His drug-fueled lifestyle came to a halt when he reinvented himself as a reality TV star.
Osbourne passed away just over two weeks after a farewell concert in his home city of Birmingham.
"It's the last song ever. Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle... Thank you from the bottom of our hearts," Osbourne told the crowd after finishing the set with "Paranoid" — Black Sabbath's most famous song.
Edited by: Dmytro Hubenko
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Photos: Star-studded Oxfordshire wedding of Apple founder's daughter
The daughter of Apple's late founder Steve Jobs got married in a star-studded occasion in west Oxfordshire. Eve Jobs, the youngest of the tech icon's four children, married gold-medal-winning equestrian Harry Charles at St Michael's And All Angels Church, in Great Tew, on Saturday, July 26. Photos from outside the church show bridesmaids arriving dressed in red, among them American equestrian Jessica Rae Springsteen, daughter of legendary musician Bruce Springsteen. READ MORE: Truck Festival: Thousands of music fans flock to farm Jessica Rae Springsteen (centre) (Image: Ben Birchall) A purple Rolls Royce was also spotted outside as well as a classic Land Rover. This took place one year on from the pair confirming their relationship after they were first spotted in public at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. A self-described 'horse girl', Eve started riding when she was just six years old and was cheering on her fiancé in Paris last year. Posting at the time on the social media platform Instagram, she said: "Team Gold. Beyond proud of you, my love."
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Five Dudley Borough pubs named among top 500 in England
FIVE pubs from across the borough have featured in the top 500 pubs in England, according to a guide published in a national newspaper. The Telegraph has published its list of the 500 best pubs in England, with five of them hailing from Dudley. Expert Will Hawkes curated the list based on their charming character, welcoming staff, history and award-winning beer, The Telegraph says. With drinking holes from Sedgley, Dudley, Brierley Hill and Stourbridge featured, Dudley boozers counted for one per cent of all the pubs in the list – quite a feat when considering the size of the borough compared to England as a country. One of the five was The Robin Hood in Amblecote, described by Hawkes as 'probably the best of the town's pubs in terms of atmosphere and beer, which is invariably in peak condition.' He said: 'The Black Country can be a bit confusing, geography-wise, but things are simple when it comes to pubs. 'They tend to be good, and they're particularly good in Amblecote.' A stone's throw away lies The Unicorn in Wollaston, which also features on the list. Highlighted for being a 'small and cosy' spot, Hawkes said visitors to The Unicorn should expect 'robust and often entertaining conversation, filled cobs (roast pork on Saturdays), and a deep sense of contentment'. The Beacon Hotel in Sedgley is perhaps one of the most well-known in the whole Black Country, so it is unsurprising that it too featured in the top 500 guide. Home of the award winning Sarah Huges Brewery, this historic drinking hole was described as 'a Black Country pub that doesn't feel like it's changed much since the Victorian era', creating an atmosphere like not many others. From being crowned the Best Pub in the West Midlands by The Telegraph earlier this year to winning the CAMRA Dudley Pub of the Year for 2025, The Bull and Bladder (or as it is known to the rest of the country officially, The Vine), has been basking in well deserved success this year, so it was to be expected for it to feature in the list. Hawkes said: 'The Black Country has more high-quality pubs than pretty much any other bit of Britain. 'The Vine Inn (known locally as the Bull and Bladder) is perhaps the best because it's handsome, good value, and, most importantly, is attached to one of England's great old breweries, Batham's.' The fifth and final local boozer to make the cut was the historic Old Swan Inn in Netherton, known for its beer brewed on site and its beautiful, ornate enamel ceiling. In his description, Hawkes called it an 'unmissable' pub which has a charm that 'feels more authentically Victorian than any other you'll find in England'. To view the full list of pubs, visit
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
England fans watch on nervously as Lionesses fall behind in final
England supporters watched on nervously as the Lionesses once again found themselves behind in a crucial Euros tie. Fans draped in England flags joined the Prince of Wales and his daughter Princess Charlotte in holding their heads in their hands as Mariona Caldentey put Spain 1-0 up in the final on Sunday. William and Charlotte were pictured in Switzerland for the Euros final as the royal family led the nation in wishing good luck to England's Lionesses. Shortly before kick-off, an image of the pair was posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales's X account with the caption 'let's go, Lionesses'. As Caldentey's header found the net in the 25th minute, William and Charlotte were pictured with their heads in their hands and crowds in fanzones across England fell silent as they watched proceedings. Before kick-off, supporters waved England flags and loudly sang the national anthem at Boxpark Croydon and star striker Michelle Agyemang's former team, Brandon Groves Community Club in Essex. Agyemang, 19, who had one England cap before the tournament, scored crucial equalisers in the Lionesses' quarter-final and semi-final comebacks. Ahead of the game, 11-year-old Violet Ingram, a left winger for Brandon Grove Emeralds, said: 'Seeing her (Agyemang) and the team just makes me feel like I can do anything I want to do.' The Prince of Wales, who is patron of the Football Association (FA), applauded the national anthem as he stood next to Charlotte in the stadium. In a show of support ahead of the final, the Band of the Grenadier Guards performed Three Lions on the Buckingham Palace forecourt, while the royal family's official X account posted: 'Wishing the very best of luck to the @Lionesses in the Women's Euro Final this evening.' William posted a good luck message on Saturday which read: 'Good luck to the Lionesses tomorrow. 'The nation is so proud you are through to the final, after some stunning comebacks! We are all cheering you on! W.' After England beat Italy 2-1 in the semi-final in Geneva on Tuesday evening, the King and Queen wished the team their 'warmest congratulations'. Charles said: 'Knowing the Lionesses' fighting spirit, I suspect we are in for another thrilling encounter on Sunday. 'Your achievements continue to inspire countless girls and women across the nation, proving once again that with dedication and teamwork, anything is possible. 'Good luck, England. May you roar to victory once more. Charles R.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: 'Into the final and inspiring the nation. Let's bring it home.' He said the team had 'changed the game – breaking barriers, making history and inspiring the next generation.' 'Tonight, the whole nation will be behind them. Come on England!' Sir Keir said. Meanwhile, cricketer Joe Root wished the Lionesses' the 'very best of luck' in an online message, adding: 'It's been great to watch you play throughout the tournament.' Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson said the team has 'absolutely smashed it', adding that 'everybody is so proud of you'. Meanwhile, BBC Sport and ITV have secured the broadcasting rights for the Women's World Cup 2027, meaning the tournament will remain free-to-air for UK viewers. England's path to the final has been marked by late drama. They sealed their spot with a last-gasp extra-time win over Italy, following a penalty shootout victory against Sweden in the quarter-finals after nearly crashing out in extra time. The Lionesses will be looking for redemption against Spain, who edged them 1-0 in the 2023 Women's World Cup final. England boss Sarina Wiegman said the team is 'going to do everything we can to win it' and she would prefer to avoid a 'nerve-wracking' match.