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Jordan Times
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Jordan Times
Ozzy: 'Prince of Darkness' and maestro of heavy metal
LONDON — Ozzy Osbourne will go down in rock history as the "godfather of heavy metal" who fulfilled his hard-living dreams as the frontman of Black Sabbath. After decades of debauchery and more than 100 million albums sold, the British singer died on Tuesday at the age of 76, leaving behind his wife Sharon, six children, a host of grandchildren and a permanent legacy in the annals of rock'n'roll. His death came a little more than two weeks after Black Sabbath played a farewell concert to 40,000 fans at Villa Park, in his native Birmingham. Rock royalty lined up to pay tribute to him including Metallica, Guns N' Roses and members of Aerosmith and the Rolling Stones at the stadium that is the home to his beloved Aston Villa football team. Ozzy, as he was routinely referred to, attracted legions of new fans in the 2000s after appearing as the hard-of-hearing, slightly crazy but doting grandfather in MTV's hit reality show "The Osbournes", a far cry from the excesses that defined his 1970s heyday. Until his renaissance, he was best known in the mainstream for biting the head of a live bat during a concert and for urinating in the wine glass of a record-label chief -- as well as on the Alamo monument in Texas. But for hard-rock fans he will forever be remembered as the "Prince of Darkness" leading Black Sabbath, the band that helped launch heavy metal, a blend of rock and blues drenched in distortion and dark lyrics. 'Girls ran out screaming' The band enjoyed immediate success on the release of its eponymous debut album in 1970. Hundreds of thousands around the world continued to flock to hear rock hymns such as "Paranoid", "War Pigs" and "Iron Man" at the band's riotous live shows for almost 50 years, until the band brought down the curtain a first time with a gig in Birmingham in 2017. Ozzy, like many of his contemporaries, suffered from gaps in his memory due to drink and drugs on the road, but few can claim to have such monumental black holes. He said that he had forgotten attempting to strangle his wife Sharon the year their eldest daughter was born, adding that he had very few recollections from the 1990s as a whole. In 2010, scientists even analysed his genome to try to understand how he had survived so much self-inflicted punishment. Ozzy said he could not remember where he performed Black Sabbath's debut album for the first time. "But I can sure as hell remember the audience's reaction: all the girls ran out of the venue, screaming," he recalled in his autobiography "I am Ozzy". His wild lifestyle led to run-ins with the law, including visits to court on charges of satanism and encouraging suicide, though his criminal career started before he joined the band, spending time in jail for stealing a television and baby clothes. John Michael Osbourne was born into a working-class family in Birmingham on December 3, 1948. He inherited his nickname in primary school. Dyslexic and angry with homework, he left school at 15 before working in manual jobs, including at an abattoir. But he decided he would become a rock star after hearing the Beatles on the radio, a fantasy he realised incredibly quickly. 'Everyone around me is dying' Shortly after meeting guitarist Tony Iommi, the two decided to "stop doing blues and write scary music instead", inspired by horror movies. The resulting sound of heavy riffs accompanied by Ozzy's droning voice singing lyrics exploring the dark side of human nature became the template for heavy metal. "Pink Floyd was music for rich college kids, and we were the exact opposite of that," he said. Albums followed at a frantic pace, often shunned by critics but acclaimed by fans. Ozzy left the band in 1979, going on to have a succesful solo career and releasing 11 albums while juggling a turbulent personal life. His first marriage to Thelma, with whom he had two children, Elliot and Jessica, was by his own admission a disaster. In 1982 he married Sharon, his manager, who quickly became his rock. They had three children -- Aimee, Kelly and Jack -- and adopted another boy, Roberto. Despite his seemingly carefree personality, the deaths of his rocker friend Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead and David Bowie left him in a reflective mood. "Everybody's dying around me, but I'm at that age," he told Rolling Stone magazine in 2016. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, with all profits from his last concert on July 5 going to charities including Cure Parkinson's and Birmingham Children's Hospital. The Prince of Darkness clung on for another six years after his diagnosis, before joining his peers in the pantheon of late, great British musicians.
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
'Prince of Darkness' former Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne dead at 76
Advertisement Whether it was biting the head off both a bat and a dove, snorting a line of ants or urinating on a US war memorial whilst wearing one of his wife Sharon's dresses, Ozzy Osbourne was defined by his antics both on and off stage. The Black Sabbath frontman was a titan of music who somehow survived controversies that would end the careers of many others, and weathered health problems that would leave most of us on our backs. But even the Prince of Darkness could not resist mortality forever. Osbourne died aged 76 'surrounded by love' on Tuesday morning, his family said in a statement. '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.' The death of the man who invented headbanging ends the final chapter of a life that was marked by both dizzying success and fame but also scandal, abuse and even prison time. The singer, who sold more than 100million records, will forever be synonymous with the heavy metal band he formed in his home city of Birmingham with Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler in 1969. With hits that included Iron Man, War Pigs and Paranoid, Black Sabbath's pushing of occult themes proved both hugely popular and controversial, with a future pope even condemning Osbourne for his 'subliminal satanic influence'. Osbourne's most infamous moment came when he bit the head off a bat that had been thrown on stage during a solo performance. He later claimed he thought it was made of rubber. After being thrown out of the band in 1979 due to his drug-fuelled antics, Osbourne forged a hugely successful solo career, with hits that included Crazy Train and Hellraiser. Ozzy Osbourne at his Black Sabbath farewell gig at Villa Park stadium in July 2025 Ozzy Osbourne, who has died aged 76, had a career that was defined by his antics both on and off-stage. Pictured: The star leaving hospital (left) on June 16, 2022, after a major back operation; Osbourne performing with Black Sabbath in 1978 But his hellraising off stage continued. In 1989 he attempted to kill Sharon while high on drugs, and seven years before that he urinated on the treasured Alamo Cenotaph in Texas, an act that saw him banned from San Antonio for a decade. He was also injured in a quad bike crash at his UK home in 2003, an episode that had a serious impact on his fragile health. Yet there was also redemption for the troubled singer, who relaunched himself as a reality tv star in The Osbournes in the early 2000s, after getting clean from drink and drugs with the help of Sharon. It saw two of his and Sharon's children, Kelly and Jack, become stars in their own right, whilst their other daughter Aimee declined to appear. There was a return too to Black Sabbath in 1997, when the original line-up got back together. Five years later, he and Iommi were an unlikely part of the star-studded lineup at the Queen's Golden Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace, where they performed Paranoid. Osbourne's final performance with Black Sabbath came in 2025, when he reunited with his bandmates for a final gig at Aston Villa's Villa Park stadium in Birmingham. Having then suffered from Parkinson's disease for more than five years, he was seated for much of the farewell performance. Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, the singer was raised by his parents Lilian and John with three older sisters and two younger brothers in a small two-bedroom home in Birmingham. The singer, who sold more than 100million records, will forever be synonymous with the heavy metal band he formed in his home city of Birmingham with Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler in 1969. Above: Osbourne (far right) with Butler (left), Iommi (second from left) and Ward in the 1970s Osbourne and his wife Sharon and their children Aimee, Kelly and Jack, are pictured at their US home in 1987. He and Sharon married in 1982 Osbourne relaunched himself as a reality tv star in The Osbournes in the early 2000s, after getting clean from drink and drugs with the help of Sharon. It saw two of his and Sharon's children, Kelly and Jack, become stars in their own right, whilst their other daughter Aimee declined to appear. Above: Osbourne with Sharon, Jack and Kelly Osbourne recovered from his drink and drug problems with the help of his wife Sharon. Pictured: The pair at the Grammy Awards in January 2020 The family of eight grew up poor and Ozzy said it was difficult because his parents were always fighting about money. Their strained marriage meant Ozzy did not speak to his parents after he was repeatedly sexually abused, aged 11, by two bullies. He said in a later interview: 'I was afraid to tell my father or mother and it completely f***ed me up. Dirty little secrets fester and that is one of the first things I said to my kids.' Aged 14, Osbourne tried to hang himself and was only saved by his father. He was a persistent truant from school and suffered from both attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia, whilst his violent streak made an early appearance when he once attacked a teacher with an iron bar. The only subject that caught his attention at school was music and he performed in several productions of Gilbert & Sullivan operettas. Osbourne left education at 15 and found work as a labourer and abattoir worker. He admitted later that he 'loved killing animals'. However, Osbourne then turned to petty crime. After stealing a television and baby clothes just before his 18th birthday, he was arrested and spent six weeks behind bars because his father refused to pay his £40 fine. Ozzy Osbourne is pictured as a child and during his early years with Black Sabbath, in 1973. The band quickly formed a reputation for their occult themes Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, the singer was raised by his parents Lilian and John with three older sisters and two younger brothers in a small two-bedroom home in Birmingham Ozzy Osbourne is pictured in 1970, the year after he formed Black Sabbath. The band was initially named Earth but its name was changed to Black Sabbath soon after Osbourne is seen above on his wedding day in 1982 with Sharon, her parents Hope (far left) and Don Arden and his mother Lillian (second from right) and sister Jean After having daughter Aimee, now 38, in 1983, Osbourne and Sharon went on to have Kelly, 37, in 1984, and Jack, 36, in 1985. Above: The family are pictured shortly after the birth of Jack A portrait of Ozzy Osbourne, dressed as a 1950s housewife, ironing his daughter Aimee in 1983. Aimee is now less high-profile than her siblings Jack and Kelly, after refusing to appear in reality TV hit The Osbournes Osbourne is pictured with his then newborn son Jack in 1985, six years after he had been thrown out of Black Sabbath due to his antics Osbourne is pictured with daughter Aimee on holiday in France in 1984 - five years after he had been thrown out of Black Sabbath Osbourne has two older children from his marriage to first wife Thelma Riley. Above: Osbourne with son Louis in 2009 Prior to his union with Sharon, Osbourne had been married to first wife Thelma Riley for 11 years, from 1971 until 1982. The pair had children Jessica and Louis together, whilst Osbourne also adopted Thelma's son Eliot (pictured right) Osbourne later said that his first marriage had been a mistake because of his constant touring and drug abuse. He also admitted to being 'abusive' to Thelma (pictured above with the singer in the 1970s Osbourne is seen with his children from his first marriage, Jessica and Louis. The pair have largely remained out of the spotlight despite their father's fame Osbourne with daughters Kelly and Aimee, wife Sharon and son Jack in 2002 - the year that the family's show The Osbournes began Kelly Osbourne, Ozzy Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne and Jack Osbourne attend the Pride of Britain awards at The Grosvenor House Hotel on September 28, 2015 in London It was while in prison that Osbourne gave himself his first tattoo: 'OZZY' in capital letters on the knuckles of his left hand. Black Sabbath's 19 studio albums 1. Black Sabbath (1970) 2. Paranoid (1970) 3. Master of Reality (1971) 4. Vol. 4 (1972) 5. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973) 6. Sabotage (1975) 7. Technical Ecstasy (1976) 8. Never Say Die! (1978) 9. Heaven and Hell (1980) 10. Mob Rules (1981) 11. Born Again (1983) 12. Seventh Star (1986) 13. The Eternal Idol (1987) 14. Headless Cross (1989) 15. Tyr (1990) 16. Dehumanizer (1992) 17. Cross Purposes (1994) 18. Forbidden (1995) 19. 13 (2013) Advertisement !- - ad: - -> He formed his first band, Rare Breed, at 19 with bassist Geezer Butler. When the pair fell out with their bandmates, they joined Iommi and Ward to set up Black Sabbath in 1968, which was first named Earth. They renamed the band in 1969 in tribute to their favourite horror film. The move set Osbourne, Iommi and Ward on the path to heavy metal royalty. The group quickly established a reputation for dabbling with satanic and occult themes. One early critic wrote: 'His baroque prophesies of doom were uttered against a background of a uniquely heavy guitar sound.' Their first album, which was simply called Black Sabbath, opened with the sound of a tolling church bell and featured the lyrics: 'Leave the Earth to Satan and his slaves'. It was this dark theme that prompted the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger – who went on to become the Pope – to condemn the self-styled Prince of Darkness for his 'subliminal satanic influence' and urge him to stop performing 'satanic rituals' at concerts because they could 'bring harm' to audiences. Black Sabbath's second album, Paranoid, featured some of their biggest commercial hits, including Iron Man, War Pigs and the title track. The band continued their success with five consecutive platinum-selling albums in the US in three years. Black Sabbath's impact on music itself was enormous. They brought a heavy metal genre that had been in its infancy when they began to the attention of millions of fans. Their influence was so wide-ranging that critics have even argued that individual songs – such as 1970's Electric Funeral and 1971 hit Children of the Grave – helped to form sub-genres of metal. This was despite the fact that guitarist Iommi had – years before Black Sabbath was formed – lost two of his fingertips in an accident at the sheet metal factory where he worked. It meant that he had to compensate by wearing plastic fingertips and slackening the strings of his instrument. But Iommi turned that trauma to his advantage by producing a distinctive sound that ran through the band's songs. Speaking in a 2005 interview, fellow heavy metal musician Rob Zombie outlined the band's impact. 'Every cool riff has already been written by Black Sabbath. Anything everyone else does is just basically ripping it off. Either you're playing it slightly different or fast or slow, but... they did everything already,' he said. Ozzy Osbourne, debating the merits of Black Sabbath's new album 'Sabotage' at Bronze Records offices, 1975 Osbourne with Butler (left) and Iommi in the 1970s. Black Sabbath revolutionised the heavy metal genre, making themselves popular with millions of fans Black Sabbath's first album was given the same name as the band. It was released in 1970 reached number eight on the UK Albums Charts and number 23 on the US Billboard 200. Paranoid (right) followed later that year The band's third album, Master of Reality, came in 1971. It included tracks such as Sweet Leaf and Children of the Grave Osbourne (centre) is pictured with Black Sabbath bandmates Bill Ward (left), Tony Iommi (second from right) and Geezer Butler in 1975 Osbourne with Black Sabbath bandmates Iommi, Butler and Ward in 1976, the year that the band released album Technical Ecstasy Osbourne posing for a publicity photo with his Black Sabbath bandmates in 1970, the year after they changed their name from Earth Osbourne infamously bit the head off a bat during a performance in Iowa in 1982 (left). Right: The singer posing with a fake bat between his teeth Black Sabbath signed Don Arden as their manager after the unexpected success of Paranoid. The decision was a life changing one for Ozzy who who would go on to marry Sharon, Arden's daughter, on July 4, 1982. He deliberately chose the US's Independence Day so he would never forget the anniversary. After having daughter Aimee, now 38, in 1983, the couple went on to have Kelly, 37, in 1984, and Jack, 36, in 1985. Prior to his union with Sharon, Osbourne had been married to first wife Thelma Riley for 11 years, from 1971 until 1982. The pair had children Jessica and Louis together, whilst Osbourne also adopted Thelma's son Elliot. Osbourne later said that his first marriage had been a mistake because of his constant touring and drug abuse. He also admitted to being 'abusive' to Thelma. He said later: 'I was totally abusive to my first wife. Physical abuse, mental abuse – you name it, I did it. 'I hit her big time and I was a complete idiot.' Osbourne is pictured showing off a tattoo in 1990. The singer had by then been out of Black Sabbath for more than a decade Osbourne during solo performances in 1985 (left) and 1990 (right). The singer forged a successful solo career after being turfed out of Black Sabbath A Daily Mail article from 1984 delved into the singer's antics at the time, including how he had been banned from six American cities Osbourne's troubles with alcohol and drugs reached crisis point in 1989, when Osbourne attempted to strangle Sharon and he was arrested As Black Sabbath became more popular, Ozzy's drug problem became increasingly disruptive. He was fired in 1979 after the band decided his addiction made him too unreliable. After being sacked Ozzy was devastated and spiralled out of control. He said: 'I'd got £96,000 for my share of the name, so I'd just locked myself away and spent three months doing coke and booze. 'My thinking was, 'This is my last party, because after this I'm going back to Birmingham and the dole'.' But Ozzy was offered a solo deal by his former manager, who tasked Sharon with looking after him. His first album, Blizzard of Ozz, was a commercial hit and included the single Crazy Train. Ozzy wanted to release doves into the sky as a sign of peace after signing the deal. But, in typical Ozzy style, he was high at the meeting with record executives and instead bit a dove's head off. A year later, he was in the headlines for the wrong reasons again. In an effort to stop him going on drunken walks, Sharon decided to hide Ozzy's clothes but he was undeterred and wore her dress to go out. Ozzy eventually needed the toilet and urinated on the Cenotaph at the Alamo, the sight of a historic battle in Texas. He was quickly arrested and banned from San Antonio for a decade. Sharon came up with the idea for the fly-on-the-wall documentary about her family that was filmed at their Beverly Hills home. It proved a major hit for US network MTV, running between 2002 and 2005. Aimee however refused to take part and criticised her parents for their antics, despite the fact that the show won an Emmy for Outstanding Reality Programme The show covered the aftermath of Osbourne's quad bike crash at his UK home in 2003. His heart stopped beating and he also broke his collar bone, eight ribs and neck vertebra Ozzy Osbourne riding a quad bike on his estate in Buckinghamshire in the 1980s. The hellraiser pushed his thrill seeking to the limits The Daily Mail's original reporting of Osbourne's quad bike crash, which was witnessed by his children, noted how he nearly lost his arm The infamous biting off the head of a bat came at the beginning of 1982, during a performance in Des Moines, Iowa. How Sharon Osbourne transformed her husband from violent pariah to reality TV star Sharon Osbourne helped to turn her husband's life around after his troubles with drink and drugs culminated in an attempt to kill her in 1989. Osbourne later said that Sharon would not just 'sit down and take' his physical abuse, but would 'return it knock for knock'. She agreed not to press charges after the strangling episode and the singer was released on the understanding that he entered rehabilitation for his addiction problems. Sharon forgave her husband's violent episodes and helped transform him from a pariah to a music legend. This was despite his admissions to having cheated on her with Black Sabbath groupies. One testament to her efforts was the creation of the annual Ozzfest festival in the 1990s, which proved hugely lucrative. Sharon too came up with the idea for the fly-on-the-wall documentary about her family that was filmed at their Beverly Hills home. It proved a major hit for US network MTV, running between 2002 and 2005. Osbourne said later: 'If it wasn't for Sharon I'd be dead by now, without a doubt. 'Career-wise, I would definitely be dead – and I would almost certainly have been physically dead as well. 'She was the first person in my life who ever came along and gave me any encouragement.' He added: 'She made me grow up, and I just fell in love with her because she's great. She sorted out all the business because, with business, I like to do as little as possible.' Advertisement !- - ad: - -> A fan had thrown the dead creature on stage and Osbourne, believing it was fake, bit into it. He had to be treated with a series of painful rabies shots. His troubles with alcohol and drugs reached crisis point in 1989, when Osbourne attempted to strangle Sharon. He later said that Sharon would not just 'sit down and take' his physical abuse, but would 'return it knock for knock'. She agreed not to press charges after the strangling episode and the singer was released on the understanding that he entered rehabilitation for his addiction problems. But it was from this dark episode that a turning point came in Osbourne's chaotic life. Sharon forgave her husband's violent episodes and helped transform him from a pariah to a music legend. This was despite his admissions to having cheated on her with Black Sabbath groupies. One testament to her efforts was the creation of the annual Ozzfest festival in the 1990s, which proved hugely lucrative. Sharon too came up with the idea for the fly-on-the-wall documentary about her family that was filmed at their Beverly Hills home. It proved a major hit for US network MTV, running between 2002 and 2005. Aimee however refused to take part and criticised her parents for their antics, despite the fact that the show won an Emmy for Outstanding Reality Programme. It covered major events including Sharon's 2002 colon cancer diagnosis and Osbourne's quad bike crash in 2003. Sharon survived the cancer battle despite a poor prognosis. Osbourne admitted that he 'fell apart' during his wife's treatment, whilst Jack tried to take his own life due to the impact of his mother's condition on his mental health. The quad bike crash happened at his UK home in Buckinghamshire. The star's heart stopped beating and he also broke his collar bone, eight ribs and neck vertebra. The sign of Sharon's crucial influence came when Osbourne said later: 'If it wasn't for Sharon I'd be dead by now, without a doubt. 'Career-wise, I would definitely be dead – and I would almost certainly have been physically dead as well. 'She was the first person in my life who ever came along and gave me any encouragement.' He added: 'She made me grow up, and I just fell in love with her because she's great. She sorted out all the business because, with business, I like to do as little as possible.' Along with Iommi, Osbourne performed Paranoid – Black Sabbath's most famous song – at the Queen's Golden Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace in 2002. Osbourne was shocked by the invitation to appear. 'I hardly think of myself as royal material,' he said. 'My wife told me, and I thought 'You're pulling my leg.'' Above: The star meeting The Queen during the event Ozzy and Sharon are seen putting their love for each other on display at the Pride of Britain awards in 2017. The singer repeatedly said how his lifestyle would have killed him if it wasn't for his wife's help Osbourne and Sharon turned themselves and their children into TV stars with their documentary The Osbournes. Above: The singer with Sharon and Kelly in 2020 Sharon has forged her own career as a TV star, most famously as a judge on hit talent show the X Factor. She now hosts chat show The Talk on Talk TV. Osbourne rejoined Black Sabbath in 1997 after he and the band's other members had performed together at Ozzfest that year. Along with Iommi, Osbourne performed Paranoid – Black Sabbath's most famous song – at the Queen's Golden Jubliee concert at Buckingham Palace in 2002. Osbourne was shocked by the invitation to appear. 'I hardly think of myself as royal material,' he said. 'My wife told me, and I thought 'You're pulling my leg.'' In 2013, he helped to record the group's final studio album, 13, which was released in 2013, after the band's original line-up had gotten back together in 2011. Their farewell tour – titled The End – was brought to a close with a performance in Birmingham in 2017. Afterwards, Osbourne continued performing as a solo act, with his most recent album release, Ordinary Man, coming in February 2020. However, his health problems continued to haunt him. He had to cancel shows in 2019 after a fall left him needing surgery on his neck. Sharon is seen with her husband and daughter Kelly in Los Angeles in 2020. The singer was by then suffering from Parkinson's disease Black Sabbath's solo tour - The End - saw them perform in locations across the world. Above: Osbourne with Butler, Iommi and Tommy Clufetos, who filled in for original drummer Ward The band's farewell tour – titled The End – was brought to a close with a performance in Birmingham in 2017. Above: The cover of the band's last album, 13 After Black Sabbath carried out their final tour, Osbourne continued performing as a solo act, with his most recent album release, Ordinary Man, coming in February 2020. Above: The singer on stage at the American Music Awards in 2019 Osbourne is pictured eating an ice cream in hospital after his June 2022 operation, which his wife Sharon would 'determine the rest of his life' The frail star is pictured in May 2022 shortly before he went into hospital for his major back operation He began to experience numbness which he thought was connected to his accident but in January 2020 Osbourne was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. His son Jack, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2012, was one of the first to realise something was wrong. The star underwent major spinal surgery in June 2022, which Sharon later said had been a success. In an update on Instagram, she said: 'Our family would like to express so much gratitude for the overwhelming amount of love and support leading up to Ozzy 's surgery!' 'Ozzy is doing well and on the road to recovery! Your love means the world to him.' To help him recover, the family lodged plans for a rehab wing at their Buckinghamshire mansion. The extension was to feature a self-contained nurse's flat as well as 'discreet grab rails and aids' and 'an abundance of stopping and sitting spaces'. The plans also included a 'health and exercise studio' as well as a 'pool house orangery' and 'garden room'. In September 2023, he had yet another operation, this time on his neck once again. He said afterwards that it was his 'last procedure'. Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored, he added: 'I can't believe I've come to the end of it. The main thing is over now, I'm done with the surgery.' The conversation reflected an enduring interest in one of Britain's most famous music stars. Speaking in 1996 about what his epitaph might be, Osbourne summed up his life in just a few words. 'The thing is, whatever else I do, my epitaph will be 'Ozzy Osbourne, born December 3, 1948. Died, whenever. And he bit the head off a bat'.'
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Legendary Black Sabbath rocker Ozzy Osbourne dead at 76
Rest In Peace, Prince of Darkness. Ozzy Osbourne died on Tuesday, his family said in a statement obtained by Page Six. He was 76. '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,' the statement reads. '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.' The Sun was first to report the news of the legendary rocker's death. The Black Sabbath frontman had just performed at a farewell concert earlier this month. The iconic heavy metal band paid tribute to their late lead singer via Instagram Tuesday, writing alongside a recent image of him onstage, 'Ozzy Forever.' In early July, his youngest daughter, Kelly Osbourne, was forced to debunk rumors that he was dying after AI videos of him claiming he was surfaced. In his final years, Ozzy's health had taken a turn. The heavy metal legend revealed in January 2020 that he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a secret he had kept for over 15 years. In addition to the progressive brain disorder affecting his nervous system, Ozzy had been reeling from neck injuries he sustained in a 2003 quad biking accident. The 'Crazy Train' singer explained in May 2022 that he could not 'walk properly' anymore and would be undergoing a 'life-altering' neck surgery that summer to aid his issues. A few months after the operation, Ozzy shared that he was walking 'considerably' better because he could 'hold [his] head up.' The 'Iron Man' performer subsequently made a successful comeback and even took the stage for an NFL halftime show performance in September 2022. However, by February 2023, Ozzy announced he was retiring from touring amid growing health concerns. 'Never would have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way,' he wrote in an emotional announcement. 'I have now come to the realization that I'm not physically capable of doing my upcoming European/UK tour dates, as I know I couldn't deal with the travel required.' The 'Mama, I'm Coming Home' crooner remained hopeful at the time, sharing that his team was 'coming up with ideas for where I will be able to perform without having to travel from city to city and country to country.' Despite his positive outlook, Ozzy admitted that 'at best, [he had] 10 years left' and bid farewell to performing in November 2023. Ozzy was able to take the stage one last time in July 2025 when he reunited with his Black Sabbath bandmembers to perform a farewell concert in Birmingham, England. The 10-hour show featured performances from Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Jack Black and more. Ozzy, who was born in England in December 1948 and diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia as a child, always had a passion for music. In 1968, he founded Black Sabbath alongside Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler in Birmingham. The band is widely credited with playing a major role in the development of the heavy metal genre. However, by 1979, Ozzy was fired from the group due to his drug addiction, so he was forced to pursue a career as a solo artist. (The rocker would later reveal in 2021 that he had finally gotten sober seven years prior.) With the help of his wife, music manager Sharon Osbourne, whom he married in July 1982, Ozzy was able to release 13 studio albums of his own. Amid his solo stint, the rocker went viral — before the word even existed — in January 1982 for biting the head off a bat during a performance on his 'Diary of a Madman' tour. Years later, the 'No More Tears' singer reunited with his former Black Sabbath bandmates on a few occasions. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 and then embarked on a farewell tour from 2016 to 2017. By that point, though, Ozzy had amassed a huge amount of success in the US as a reality star on 'The Osbournes' alongside Sharon and their kids Jack Osbourne and Kelly Osbourne. Their eldest daughter, Aimee Osbourne, did not participate in the landmark MTV show. 'The Osbournes,' which premiered in March 2002, is widely recognized as one of the shows that helped define the reality TV genre, as there were not others like it at the time. The series followed the expletive-friendly family's funniest moments — such as when Sharon threw a ham over a neighbor's fence and Ozzy mumbled his way through a sentence. However, it also showcased how the tight-knit bunch navigated major events such as Sharon's cancer battle and the aftermath of an ATV accident that nearly killed Ozzy. 'The Osbournes' wrapped in March 2005 but remained an iconic piece of pop culture history. The show launched careers for Sharon, Kelly and Jack in their own right, as the trio landed hosting gigs on 'The Talk,' 'Fashion Police' and 'Portals to Hell,' respectively. Throughout his life, Sharon was always by Ozzy's side — even though the pair went through several rough patches during their 40-plus-year marriage. The couple almost called it quits in 2016 after it was revealed that 'Psycho Man' singer had numerous affairs over the years with 'women in different countries.' However, Ozzy and Sharon went on to renew their vows in May 2017 after the British rocker began therapy for sex addiction. A biopic of their love story was announced in October 2021, and Sharon said in a statement at the time, 'Our relationship at times was often wild, insane and dangerous, but it was our undying love that kept us together.' Ozzy is also survived by three children from his previous marriage to Thelma Riley: his biological kids, Jessica Osbourne and Louis Osbourne, and Elliot Kingsley, Riley's son, whom he adopted. Solve the daily Crossword
Malay Mail
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
War pig, iron man, madman: Ozzy Osbourne's metal legacy in five tracks
PARIS, July 24 — Britain's Ozzy Osbourne, who died Tuesday at the age of 76, was an pioneer of heavy metal music as lead singer of Black Sabbath, producing songs with a powerful and often sinister mix of distortion and dark lyrics. Here are five of his most memorable songs, three of which are from Black Sabbath's most successful album Paranoid (1970). 'Paranoid' (1970) Often listed as one of the greatest heavy metal songs of all time, Paranoid came about largely by accident, being written at the last minute because the album of the same name was too short. Describing a man's depressed state, the 'rapid-fire chugging' of the song was 'a two-minute blast of protopunk', Rolling Stone has said. After leaving Black Sabbath in 1979 and going solo, Osbourne continued to perform the classic at the end of his concerts. 'War Pigs' (1970) Another icon from Paranoid, this is a classic anti-war protest song often associated with the Vietnam War of the period. It was originally entitled Walpurgis — a reference to a satanist festival — but this was changed on the recommendation of Black Sabbath's record company. Described as 'dense' by Rolling Stone magazine, it compares military commanders to 'witches at black masses' and criticises politicians for starting war and 'treating people like pawns'. 'Iron Man' (1970) Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler said he wrote the lyrics to this piece, also from Paranoid, when Osbourne described a dark riff by guitarist Tony Iommi as sounding 'like a great iron bloke walking about'. It tells of a man who is unable to communicate and feels rejected, and so wreaks revenge on the world. Osbourne 'gave metal a sense of menace during his first 10-year tour of duty with Black Sabbath, approximating the sound of a nervous breakdown on songs like Paranoid and Iron Man,' Rolling Stone wrote in 2018. 'Crazy Train' (1980) After being sacked by Black Sabbath in 1979 because of his abuse of drugs and alcohol, Osbourne reinvented heavy metal during an epic solo career, 'picking up the pace of his songs and injecting them with baroque noir,' Rolling Stone said. Crazy Train, the first single from his debut solo album Blizzard of Ozz in 1980, deals with the Cold War pitting the West against the Soviet Union, and fears of mutually assured destruction. In 2019, Osbourne was reported by US media, as having complained to US President Donald Trump after the Republican used the song unauthorised in a social media video which mocked the 2020 Democratic Party candidates at a debate. 'I Don't Want to Change the World' (1991) Continuing his successful solo run into the 1990s, I Don't Want to Change the World appeared on the multi-platinum winning No More Tears album — his last before retiring for the first time. Osbourne won a Grammy award for his live performance of the piece in 1993. It deals with the attitude of religious-minded people towards him, and his own views of them. The lyrics say, 'Tell me I'm a sinner / I've got news for you / I spoke to God this morning and he doesn't like you'. — AFP
Malay Mail
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Fairies wear boots — and one just walked off stage forever: The incredible impact of Ozzy Osbourne
LONDON, July 24 — Ozzy Osbourne, the 'prince of darkness' and godfather of heavy metal, has died aged 76, just weeks after he reunited with Black Sabbath bandmates for a farewell concert in his hometown of Birmingham in England. His family posted a brief message overnight: '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.' John Michael Osbourne changed the sound of rock music and leaves behind a stellar career spanning six decades, numerous Grammy awards, multiple hall of fame inductions — and a wave of controversy. An agent of change In 1969, from the ashes of various bands, Geezer Butler (bass), Tony Iommi (guitar), Bill Ward (drums) and Osbourne formed the band Earth. Realising the name was taken, they quickly changed their name to Black Sabbath, an homage to the 1963 Italian horror anthology film. With the Summer of Love a recent memory, Black Sabbath were part of a heavy music revolution, providing an antidote to the free loving hippies of the late 60s period. Despite making their first two albums cheaply, Black Sabbath, released in February 1970, and Paranoid, released September that same year, they were a global success. Their approach was laden with sarcasm and irony. American audiences mistook this for satanic worship, positioning them as outsiders (albeit popular ones). After Black Sabbath's early successes, they were managed by the notorious Don Arden, whose daughter Sharon Levy was the receptionist. More than any musical bond Osbourne had in his life, Sharon would be the most influential character throughout his life. Osbourne recorded eight albums with Black Sabbath (some to critical acclaim) and was then kicked out (by Sharon) due to his troubles with drugs and alcohol. Ozzy solo Osbourne's solo career has always been managed by Sharon. While recording his second solo album, Diary of a Madman, guitarist Rhodes died in a tragic light plane crash. Osbourne was close to Rhodes and fell into a deep depression, after never having lost someone so close. Sharon and Osbourne married only months after this incident. His struggle with drug use did not stop him from making further solo records alongside various guitar players, continuing with moderate success throughout his career. On the road, Osbourne put the John Farnham's last tour trope to shame. He held his last ever gig more times than one can count with names like No More Tours (1992–93), Retirement Sucks (1995–96) and No More Tours 2 (2018–19). This lament for touring led to the most successful era of Osbourne's career. After being rejected for the 1995 Lollapaloza festival bill, Sharon (and their son Jack) started Ozzfest; initially an annual two-day multiband festival headlined by Osbourne, held in Phoenix, Arizona, and Devore, California. Subsequently becoming a national — and then international — tour, Ozzfest led to a successful partnership with MTV, which led to the reality TV show The Osbournes premiering in 2002. Here, his previous and ongoing battle with drugs was obvious, proudly on display — and ridiculed — to huge global audiences. The spectacle of a rich rockstar and his family, featuring a constant barrage of swearing, battles with lavish TV remotes, canine therapy, never-ending chaos, and Osbourne constantly yelling 'Sharrrooon' like a twisted maniacal loop of A Street Car Named Desire. Struggles and controversies Osbourne suffered multiple health conditions over the years, rarely concealing the state of his physical or mental wellbeing. Notably he's struggled with drug and alcohol abuse his whole career with drug recovery centres using Osbourne as an exemplar. In 2007 he disclosed he suffered from the Parkinson's adjacent condition Parkinsonian syndrome. In 2019 he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. This resulted in him being unable to walk for his final Back to the Beginning show in Birmingham on July 5, 2025. And Osbourne's career had more than its fair share of controversy. He bit the head off a dove and a bat (celebrated with a commemorative toy), and urinated on the Alamo cenotaph. He was taken to court multiple times, but was never convicted. Ozzy and me As a white middle-class boy growing up in the Brisbane suburbs in the 80s, heavy metal music appealed to my testosterone and pimple filled body. Exploring the secondhand record shops of Brisbane, I would've bought my first copy of Black Sabbath around 1985. The sound of thunder and a distant church bell before the first drop-D riff enters seemed like the antithesis to sunny Queensland and 80s pop. As my life became obsessed with the recording studio and the vociferous music scene in Brisbane in the post-Joh era, and those drop-D riffs influenced a new style that swept the world in the early 90s. Osbourne's influence was huge and through grunge, his sound was reborn. Grunge was a marriage of the Sabbath-like drop-D riffs with the energy of punk and the melody of the Beatles. Listening to Black Sabbath and Ozzy records, equipped me with a sonic palette ready to capture the wave of alternative music emerging from the Brisbane scene. While Ozzy's death is no surprise (except for those who never thought he'd last this long), we should take pause and remember an icon with an endless energy for entertaining, a passion for music, and changing the expectations of popular culture for more than 50 years. — Reuters
