Ozzy Osbourne dies at the age of 76, family announces
Ozzy Osbourne performs on stage during the closing ceremony for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham (David Davies/PA)
Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne has died at the age of 76, his family has announced.
A statement from his family said: '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. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.'
He had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019.
As frontman of Black Sabbath, he was at the forefront of the heavy metal scene – a deeper, darker offshoot of hard rock.
Ozzy Osbourne performs during the closing ceremony for the 2022 Commonwealth Games at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham (David Davies/PA)
His theatrical stage presence, including once biting off the head of a bat, and styling himself as the Prince of Darkness marked him out as a controversial figure.
Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3 1948 in Aston, Birmingham, he left school at 15 and did odd jobs including factory work before teaming up with school friend Geezer Butler in several bands.
Earlier this month he bid a farewell to fans with a Black Sabbath reunion, telling thousands of heavy metal enthusiasts at Villa Park, Birmingham – a stone's throw from where Black Sabbath was formed in 1968 – that it was 'so good to be on this stage' as he performed his last set from a large black throne.
Osbourne and his fellow original Black Sabbath members – Tony Iommi, Terence 'Geezer' Butler and Bill Ward – were the last to appear on stage as part of a star-studded line-up for the Back to the Beginning concert.
Also among the bands performing were Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N' Roses, and there were messages of thanks from other celebrities, including Jack Black, Ricky Gervais and Dolly Parton.
Ozzy Osbourne performs on stage during the closing ceremony for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham (David Davies/PA)
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The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Sharon Osbourne ‘wants to bury Ozzy in the garden of their UK family home' where he died surrounded by family
PALS of Sharon Osbourne believe that she wants to bury her late husband Ozzy in the garden of their family home. The rock legend, 76, Advertisement 8 Sharon has reportedly said she wants to bury Ozzy in the garden of their family home Credit: Getty 8 The rock legend passed away on Tuesday at the mansion in Welders, Buckinghamshire Credit: Getty 8 Ozzy took to the stage for the final time on July 5 Credit: Ross Halfin Following a length battle with Parkinson's, the Black Sabbath star passed away with Now pals have told how Sharon might choose to bury her soul mate in the garden. A source told The Mirror: "In the end, he died peacefully at home with all the family with him. "It's a lovely house and Sharon wanted to bring him back from LA. Advertisement Read more on Ozzy "I don't know if she will feel strong enough to have a big memorial for all the people who want to say goodbye to him. "We think she may want to bury him privately at home, in the garden." "He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time." Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Thames Valley Air Ambulance said that a crew had been dispatched to provide "advanced critical care". Last night, Ozzy's daughter Kelly, 40, She shared the poignant lyrics to Black Sabbath's 'Changes' - a hit she and her dad released their own version of together in 2003. Advertisement Ozzy and Kelly Osbourne performing their version of Changes together The track soared to number one in the UK charts at the time, with the duo known for their close bond over the years. In a poignant nod to the song last night, Kelly wrote on Instagram: "I feel unhappy I am so sad. I lost the best friend I ever had." Just days earlier, Kelly at the veteran rocker's final concert earlier this month. She shared a video of the moment Sid popped the question backstage at her father's final ever Black Sabbath gig. Advertisement came just 17 days after a The concert raised £140million for charities including Birmingham's Acorns Children's Hospice, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and Cure Parkinson's. Tributes have since piled in from stars including Sir Rod Stewart , Noel Gallagher and Sir . Yesterday friends said many big names wanted to salute the bat-munching, self-proclaimed Prince of Darkness, who became a national treasure. Advertisement Such a service would be held ahead of a smaller private funeral. A source told The Sun: 'There are conversations about a celebration of his life in Birmingham, the city that meant so much to him. 'Artists like Yungblud, who was seen by Ozzy as a musician who could carry on the mantle of what he started all those years ago, is expected to have a role in it. 'There are hundreds of big names who will want to pay their respects and celebrate his life and legacy, as well as thousands of fans who would line the streets to say goodbye.' Advertisement 8 Kelly and Ozzy performing Black Sabbath's Changes together in 2003 8 Tributes placed at the Birmingham bridge and bench dedicated to Ozzy's band Black Sabbath Credit: EPA 8 Kelly paid a touching tribute to her father Credit: Splash Advertisement The legend cemented his place in rock history early in his career with controversial displays such as The stunt came in 1982, during a performance in Des Moines, Ozzy, believing it to be made of rubber, bit into the carcass, and later had to be plied with rabies shots. He also snorted a line of ants while on tour with the notorious Mötley Crüe band in the '80s. Advertisement Shortly prior to his passing, the Changes hitmaker told of his strict health monitoring and medical check-ins. More on Ozzy Osbourne... 'If it's end of the road, I can't complain' How Ozzy Osbourne Emotional moment Ozzy Osbourne's The rocker's Osbourne From bat-biting antics & drug battles to rollercoaster reality show – how Ozzy truly earned title of Who is Who is How On his "I have got this guy who's virtually living with me and I am in bed by seven. Advertisement "I used to have to take a handful of f***ing sleeping pills. "Now I don't take anything. I am having my blood pressure taken 15 times a day. "I've got this f***ing device on my finger. It's a monitor to say how my heart rate is.' He then said of his life approach: "I'm just taking it one day at a time. Advertisement "Ask him upstairs. In my case, the one below." This month's gig was touted as "the greatest heavy metal show ever," with Ozzy grinning to chanting fans as he thanked them for all they had done for him. The icon vowed, however, that it would be due to his deteriorating health . Addressing dozens of fans on Black Sabbath Bridge on Broad Street in Birmingham, the band's first manager Jim Simpson said Ozzy was a "really nice kid". Advertisement He added: "The fact is, there are people here who are 80 years of age or eight years of age and all stages in between and it shows he had a remarkable way of contacting people. "It has been 55 years and still (Black Sabbath) are more popular than ever. "It is remarkable and they have all done a great job and they should be proud of themselves." "He even said beforehand that he expected to die on the stage at the July the 5th show at Villa Park. Advertisement "The world's lost an inordinately nice, balanced, human being." 8 Kelly, Ozzy, Sharon and Jack Osbourne at the GRAMMY Awards in 2014 Credit: Getty - Contributor 8 Ozzy's star on the Walk of Fame Credit: AFP
Irish Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kelly Osbourne breaks silence after dad Ozzy's death with heartbreaking tribute
Kelly Osbourne has spoken out following the heartbreaking death of her father Ozzy Osbourne earlier this week. The Black Sabbath icon, recognised worldwide as The Prince of Darkness, had been struggling with poor health in recent years, performing his final concert just weeks before passing away. Ozzy passed away on Tuesday, July 22, aged 76, leaving his wife Sharon completely devastated by his loss and grief-stricken over losing her closest companion. Meanwhile, Ozzy's sisters have expressed their anguish over their brother's passing, describing him as "loving and funny". In a statement, the Osbourne family, including Sharon, with whom he shared children Kelly, Aimee and Jack, announced: "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. "He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis." Ozzy with youngest daughter Kelly (Image: AFP via Getty Images) Two days after Ozzy's death, Kelly posted lyrics to her Instagram Stories from the Black Sabbath track "Changes," in a poignant tribute that references a treasured father-daughter memory, reports the Mirror. "Changes," which Ozzy co-wrote with his bandmates, was first released by Black Sabbath in 1972. In 2003, he and Kelly recorded a version as a duet with revised lyrics that reflected on their bond. The song was a No. 1 hit in the U.K., and they became just the second father-daughter pair to top the charts, after Frank and Nancy Sinatra in 1967. Kelly has now taken to Instagram to share a heartbreaking update, writing: "I feel unhappy I am so sad," Kelly, 40, wrote on Thursday, July 24. "I lost the best friend I ever had." Kelly Osbourne has broken her silence following her dad's death (Image: Kelly Osbourne/X) Devastated admirers have been placing tributes outside his Buckinghamshire residence, with bouquets and touching messages positioned at the entrance. Half-finished pints and beer bottles have also been placed alongside candles as supporters honour the rock legend on Birmingham's Black Sabbath bridge. An insider revealed to People regarding Ozzy's final moments, saying: "Ozzy's final days were spent in England, surrounded by family, music and in the place he called home. He was in peace." Ozzy revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2020 and said that his daughter Kelly had helped amid the diagnosis and other health issues. After the announcement of his diagnosis, Kelly said: "We just kept going everyday and the magic that happens, I think, when you're in pain ..." Ozzy, pointing at his youngest daughter, interrupted her to say: "She's the one! If it wasn't for her I'd be still lying up on the couch." Kelly stated: "The only thing I know when it comes to my dad is what can I do to make him smile and I know that going to the studio makes him happy. So I got him up and got him to the studio, and that's all I did. Everything else was him." This week, two charities have commended Ozzy for his openness about his condition and his efforts to raise awareness over the years. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Extra.ie
4 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Kelly Osbourne's heartbreaking tribute to dad Ozzy
Kelly Osbourne has referenced her father Ozzy's music in a heartbreaking tribute to her late dad. Ozzy passed away on Tuesday (July 22) following a lengthy battle with Parkinson's Disease, aged 76. His death came just weeks after his farewell concert with the original lineup of Black Sabbath, in their native Aston in Birmingham as they played in Villa Park. Tributes have been paid to the Prince of Darkness following his death and storied career, with Kelly — who had a career in music and reality TV of her own as well as being a panellist on The View — paying a heartbreaking tribute to her father, referencing his own lyrics on her Instagram stories. Kelly Osbourne has referenced her father Ozzy's music in a heartbreaking tribute to her late dad. Pic:for The Recording Academy Taking a line from the song Changes, Kelly wrote 'I feel unhappy, I feel so sad. I lost the best friend I ever had,' alongside a heartbreak emoji. Black Sabbath released the song in 1972 on their Vol 4 album, before Ozzy re-released the song in 2003 as a duet with his daughter. Kelly had posted a sweet video of Ozzy with her two-year-old son Sidney just two days before his death, saying good morning to the camera and panning to her dad, who was wearing headphones before telling the camera good morning. Kelly made a reference to the song Changes in a moving tribute to her late dad. Pic:Kelly is the second youngest of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne's six children, and was a highlight of the reality show that followed her family in the 2000s where she was a typical teenager with angst and teenage humour. In 2002, she released her debut album Shut Up, which included a cover of Papa Don't Preach, in 2002, followed by Sleep in Nothing in 2005. She also got engaged to her partner, Slipknot DJ Sid Wilson, following her father's final concert with Black Sabbath. The couple share one son in Sidney. Ozzy passed away on Tuesday, July 22. Pic:Sharon has also responded to individual tributes to her late husband, who left behind a staggering €187.24 million fortune, including musician Gavin Rossdale who wrote 'RIP Ozzy – a great man – a true legend – I met Ozzy through Jack just a few times but he was so warm and kind and funny and I love that memory.' Sharon responded 'bless you' to the tribute, as well as thanking BBC Radio 1 DJ Jack Saunders for his tribute to Ozzy, writing 'Jack, thank you for your tribute to Ozzy tonight, bless you.'
