Report Black Sabbath Legend Ozzy Osbourne Dies at 76: A Final Bow in Birmingham

[webfact]

Ozzy Osborne. Video screenshot

 

Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of Black Sabbath and a reality TV sensation, has passed away at the age of 76. The tragic news was announced by the Osbourne family, and they shared that he died surrounded by loved ones. They have asked for privacy while mourning their loss.

 

Just weeks ago, Osbourne took to the stage for what was billed as his "final bow" in Birmingham, England. This event, "Back to the Beginning," marked his first performance with Black Sabbath in two decades. After years of health challenges, the "Prince of Darkness" made a powerful return to his hometown, joining bandmates Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and Tony Iommi.

 

Born John "Ozzy" Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, he rose from a tough upbringing to achieve legendary status in rock stardom. From humble beginnings, including a stint in prison for burglary, Osbourne’s life changed when he joined Geezer Butler’s band, which eventually became Black Sabbath.

 

Their heavy, haunting sound revolutionised the music world, and their album "Paranoid" hit number one in 1970.

 

Osbourne’s stage antics, including the notorious bat-biting incident in 1982, solidified his wild reputation. Despite his crazy escapades, fans embraced him and recognised him as an innovator in heavy metal. His personal struggles, however, were equally legendar, battles with addiction that led to infamous episodes of domestic strife.

 

In the late '90s, a reconciliation with Black Sabbath brought Osbourne back into the rock spotlight, followed by the explosion of "The Osbournes" TV show. This reality series not only reignited his fame but launched his family, especially Sharon Osbourne, into stardom. Sharon, who became both his manager and wife, played a crucial role in reviving Osbourne’s career, even as it caused a rift with her father, Don Arden.

 

Osbourne’s solo career, punctuated by hits like "Crazy Train," received numerous accolades. He won multiple Grammys and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Black Sabbath in 2006. Health issues marred his journey, including a Parkinson's diagnosis in 2020 and several painful surgeries that restricted his ability to tour.

 

Despite these challenges, Osbourne continued to perform sporadically, always aiming to thank his loyal fans. In a poignant 2023 interview, he expressed his desire to perform one last show to bid farewell properly. His health, however, led Ozzy Osborne to announce the end of his touring career earlier that year, marking a reluctant farewell to his relationship with music that spanned over half a century.

 

OOzzy Osbourne’s influence on music and culture is immeasurable, leaving a legacy that reshaped heavy metal. His daring performances, candid interviews, and unfiltered personality endeared him to millions. Whether revered as the "Godfather of Heavy Metal" or the "Prince of Darkness," his unique contributions have forever altered the landscape of rock music.

 

Ozzy leaves behind his wife, Sharon, their three children, Jack, Kelly, and Aimee, and three children from his first marriage. The world mourns the loss of a music legend whose impact will resonate for generations.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from CNN, Agencies 2025-07-23

 

 

[Nick Carter icp]

.....................................And Keith Richards is still with us 

[Harsh Jones]

It is about time some of these irrelevant throwbacks moved on. Can Gene Simmons join him ? 

[Chomper Higgot]

RIP Ozzy.

 

Thank you for your music and the entertainment.

[UWEB]

RIP, the one and only God on Earth.

[newbee2022]

4 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

RIP Ozzy.

 

Thank you for your music and the entertainment.

Yeah, I liked "The Osbournes" most. A wonderful family.

[hotandsticky]

R. I. P. Ozzy.

[Chomper Higgot]

2 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Yeah, I liked "The Osbournes" most. A wonderful family.

Well nobody gets to choose their famil

[Jethro Tull]

RIP Ozzy

 

Thanks for the music and being part of my growing up.

[roo860]

28 minutes ago, Harsh Jones said:

It is about time some of these irrelevant throwbacks moved on. Can Gene Simmons join him ? 

You can join them.

[wozzlegummich]

Every party I went to as a teenager here in Australia had either the first album (Paranoid) or Volume 4 on high rotation.

R.I.P. Ozzy and thanks for the memories and good times.

[wozzlegummich]

5 minutes ago, roo860 said:

You can join them.

Wow - nice outlook you have.

[sungod]

Just great he got to do a 'final farewell' a few weeks back.

 

[hotandsticky]

Just now, sungod said:

Just great he got to do a 'final farewell' a few weeks back.

 

 

 

...and at his beloved Villa Park.

[DTL2014]

my first concert - at hammersmith odeon- age 16 .thanks for the ride Ozzy RIP

[soalbundy]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

RIP Ozzy.

 

Thank you for your music and the entertainment.

Music?

[Mark1969]

Feels like part of me died with him. I still have the music. Bye, Ozzy.

[Maejo Man]

I still have my copy of paranoid 😃

 

[Harrisfan]

1 hour ago, Harsh Jones said:

It is about time some of these irrelevant throwbacks moved on. Can Gene Simmons join him ? 

Bit nasty dude

[JonnyF]

RIP Ozzy.

 

The music was a bit before my time but I enjoyed The Osbournes. 

[JensenZ]

2 hours ago, Harsh Jones said:

It is about time some of these irrelevant throwbacks moved on. Can Gene Simmons join him ? 

It might be irrelevant for you, but Black Sabbath and the like were a big part of my teen years. 

[soalbundy]

2 hours ago, UWEB said:

RIP, the one and only God on Earth.

The bats have declared a public holiday.

[save the frogs]

Never got into heavy metal. 

Music seems creepy to me. 

One guy in high school who was a metalhead seemed completely crazy to me. He looked like he had serious mental health issues. 

 

And once again, I believe people go to these concerts to get stoned and bang their heads and numb the pain of their lives and barely even listen to the lyrics of these songs. 

 

Here, he is making a statement about teens masturbating in their rooms and how society is getting degraded because people are not having normal relationships?

 

It's uplifting this music!

 

Twisted little fantasy
Gambling with tragedy and doom, and doom
Addicted to debauchery
Staring at the ceiling in his room, in his room

Asphyxiation
Masturbation
Degradation rules

 

 

 

 

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, DTL2014 said:

my first concert - at hammersmith odeon- age 16 .thanks for the ride Ozzy RIP

Saw them a couple times, early when they started, and was my last concert in USA, before coming to TH, I think, 4 Aug 1999, Memphis TN, USA, the reunion tour, and excellent.

 

Eye opening lyrics in my formative years as a teen, early 70s, out of high school in 73, and already 'anti govt / establishment / deep state' 

[MalcolmB]

I am really sad.

Being listening to Black Sabbath since I was young and a lot over the last three weeks since the concert.

Got his final farewell concert in just in time.

 

what a legend.

RIP Ozzy

[save the frogs]

11 hours ago, KhunLA said:

and already 'anti govt / establishment / deep state'

 

But is he really anti establishment / deep state ?

 

Or is he part of the establishment pretending to be anti-establishment?

 

Anti establishment might be music that uplifts your soul. This ain't it. 

 

 

[KhunLA]

1 minute ago, save the frogs said:

But is he really anti establishment / deep state ?  Or is he part of the establishment pretending to be anti-establishment?  Anti establishment might be music that uplifts your soul. This ain't it. 

Don't think the music was meant to be 'uplifting', just eye opening, with anti war theme, and un-trust of gov't.  

 

Add the Pentagon Papers (1971), and it made for some interesting discussions in POD (problems of Democracy) class.  Don't know what they teach now in HS ... gender & pronouns.   How far they've fallen.

 

OZZY ROCKS

[save the frogs]

11 hours ago, KhunLA said:

with anti war theme,

 

yes, black sabbath did have a good anti-war anthem.

true. 

 

 

[KhunLA]

28 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

yes, black sabbath did have a good anti-war anthem.

true. 

Amazing music, even though 'War Pigs" didn't get much airplay (unofficially banned), some FM & college stations still gave it airplay.  Even changed the album title to 'Paranoid', though kept the 'pig' on the cover 😎

 

A few anti war songs made it into the top 50, in 1970, along with plenty of drivel for the brain dead.

 

 

[save the frogs]

11 hours ago, KhunLA said:

along with plenty of drivel for the brain dead.

 

Sorry, I think I let you off the hook too easy. 

 

I'd like to make the argument that many/most of Ozzy's songs are exactly that - drivel for the brain dead.

 

What's the obsession with insanity in his music? The most famous song being "Crazy Train".

His album "Patient Number 9" seems to be about a guy in a psychiatric ward. Is that what kids find cool these days? 

 

Now, let's take a closer look at some of the lyrics here from "Evil Shuffle" off that album.

 

Mad man living inside me
He won't let me go

And the voices call from below, yeah

 

I crawl in the shadows
I prey on the weak
When I do the evil shuffle, yeah

 

There's a mad man living inside him, voices in his head. And these voices make him prey on the weak.

Why in the world would anyone listen to this? What's the point of this? 

You're not afraid that this song might inspire someone to murder your sister? Maybe you should be. 

 

If lyrics are twisted, there's something seriously wrong with the music you're listening to. 

People just don't get it and listen to anything that sounds cool.

It's excusable when you're a teenager, but if you're an adult and you don't get that you need to stop listening to music with twisted lyrics, you have arrested development.