Ozzy rose to fame in the 1970s as the lead singer of Black Sabbath. With his powerful voice and dark, emotional lyrics, he helped create a new sound in rock music.
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Legendary rock star Ozzy Osbourne, known as the voice of Black Sabbath and a pioneer of heavy metal music, has passed away at the age of 76. He died on Tuesday after a long fight with Parkinson’s disease, according to ‘Variety’.
His family confirmed the heartbreaking news through a statement shared by ‘TMZ’.
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“It is with more sadness than words can express that we have to say our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family, surrounded by love,” the family said. “We ask everyone to respect our privacy during this difficult time.”
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Ozzy’s death comes just two weeks after he performed at what was announced as Black Sabbath’s final show. The concert, called ‘Back to the Beginning’, took place in Birmingham, England, the hometown of both Ozzy Osbourne and the band.
It was a grand tribute to their legacy, with famous bands like Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Tool, and Pantera also taking part in the event.
Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham, Ozzy rose to fame in the 1970s as the lead singer of Black Sabbath. With his powerful voice and dark, emotional lyrics, he helped create a new sound in rock music that became known as heavy metal.
But Ozzy’s journey wasn’t always smooth. In 2020, he revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Before that, he had already been dealing with serious health issues, including spinal injuries from a 2018 fall. These problems forced him to cancel many tour dates.
In early 2023, Ozzy made the difficult decision to retire from touring. “I have now realized I’m not physically able to do the upcoming European and UK tour dates,” he wrote in a message to fans. “The thought of disappointing my fans really messes me up. Never did I think my touring days would end like this.”
Even with health challenges, Ozzy remained a giant in the world of rock. His music with Black Sabbath from 1969 to 1979 set the stage for metal bands across the globe. Despite band conflicts and battles with addiction, their early albums are still classics.
Ozzy’s impact didn’t stop with music. His wife Sharon Osbourne launched ‘Ozzfest’ in the 1990s, a rock festival built around Ozzy’s presence. It became one of the biggest touring events of the time. He also reached a new audience in the 2000s through the hit MTV reality show ‘The Osbournes’, which gave fans a look into his chaotic but lovable family life.
Ozzy is survived by his wife Sharon and six children: Jessica, Louis, and Elliot from his first marriage to Thelma Riley, and Aimee, Kelly, and Jack from his marriage to Sharon.
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