Ozzy Osbourne, the dark prince of heavy metal known for his gravelly voice, outrageous stage antics, and as the founding voice of Black Sabbath, passed away Tuesday at the age of 76. His death comes just weeks after what he had described as his final concert.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Ozzy,” said a statement from his family. “He was surrounded by love, and we kindly ask for privacy during this time.” Osbourne had revealed in 2020 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease following a serious fall.

Dressed in all black or shirtless on stage, Osbourne was long a lightning rod for controversy—from satanic symbolism in his lyrics to infamously biting the head off a bat during a concert. But beyond the theatrics, he later surprised fans as a tender and humorous father figure in the MTV reality series “The Osbournes.”

Black Sabbath’s 1969 self-titled debut is widely regarded as a defining moment in music history, setting the foundation for heavy metal. At a time when psychedelic rock and peace anthems dominated, the band’s ominous sound and bleak lyrics offered something raw and new. Their sophomore album, Paranoid, delivered genre-defining tracks like “Iron Man” and “War Pigs,” cementing their legacy.

“Black Sabbath are to metal what The Beatles are to pop,” Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro once wrote. “The whole genre traces back to them.”

Osbourne’s substance abuse issues eventually led to his dismissal from the band in 1979. Bassist Geezer Butler later wrote that although firing him was heartbreaking, it had become unavoidable. Osbourne bounced back quickly, launching a successful solo career with albums like Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman. Songs like “Crazy Train” and “Flying High Again” became staples of rock radio, and both albums achieved multi-platinum success.

In 2006, Osbourne entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Black Sabbath and was inducted again in 2024 as a solo artist. His final performance with the original Sabbath lineup took place in July 2025 in the U.K., with Ozzy declaring to the crowd, “Let the madness begin!” before 42,000 fans. The event was star-studded, with performances by Metallica, Slayer, Guns N’ Roses, and appearances by artists ranging from Steven Tyler to Jason Momoa, who hosted the farewell show.

Osbourne’s legend was built not just on his music but on his over-the-top behavior. Stories abound of him urinating on historic sites, inhaling ants, and living a life that few others could survive. The bat-biting incident in 1981 became one of the most infamous moments in music history—he later claimed he thought the bat was a rubber prop.

In 1987, Osbourne was sued by the family of a teen who died by suicide after listening to “Suicide Solution.” The case was eventually thrown out, and Osbourne insisted the song was a cautionary tale about the dangers of alcohol—a tribute to his late friend and AC/DC singer Bon Scott.

The singer also faced backlash from religious leaders, including Cardinal John J. O’Connor of New York, who accused his music of promoting possession and suicide. Osbourne fired back, saying the claims insulted both his intentions and the intelligence of music fans.

His concerts were rowdy affairs—filled with wild theatrics and audience participation—but they often ended with a surprising benediction: “God bless!” In 1996, after being turned down by Lollapalooza, he launched his own annual tour, Ozzfest, which would become a platform for rising and established metal acts like Slipknot, System of a Down, and Linkin Park.

Osbourne's image hardly changed over the decades: long straight hair, black eyeliner, round glasses, and often a cross necklace. In 2013, he reunited with Black Sabbath for the brooding album 13, which topped the U.K. charts. And in 2019, he had a resurgence when featured on Post Malone’s hit “Take What You Want,” his first Top 10 appearance in three decades.

Few figures in music have embodied the spirit of heavy metal like Ozzy Osbourne. Chaotic, magnetic, and unforgettable—his voice and presence shaped the genre and inspired generations.