Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath and a pivotal figure in heavy metal, passed away at the age of 76 today, just weeks after performing at Black Sabbath’s final concert on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham, England.
The concert, titled "Back to the Beginning," marked the first time since 2005 that the original Black Sabbath lineup—Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—performed together, closing with a four-song set including "War Pigs," "N.I.B.," "Iron Man," and "Paranoid." Osbourne, who had been battling Parkinson’s disease since 2019 and was unable to walk due to its progression, performed seated on a bat-themed throne.
The event, which raised $190 million for charities like Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice, was a star-studded farewell featuring acts like Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Slayer, and was livestreamed globally to millions.
Osbourne’s family announced his death 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.” No specific cause of death was disclosed, though sources note his long-term health struggles, including Parkinson’s, a 2019 fall causing spinal damage, and earlier incidents like a 2003 quad bike accident that fractured his neck, collarbone, and ribs. Some reports suggest complications from Parkinson’s contributed to his passing.
The "Back to the Beginning" concert was Osbourne’s self-proclaimed final performance, organized by his wife Sharon and curated by Tom Morello. Despite his physical limitations, Osbourne delivered a solo set of hits like "Crazy Train" and "Mama, I’m Coming Home," followed by the Black Sabbath reunion, which was described as an emotional and historic moment for metal fans. Fans and musicians, including James Hetfield of Metallica, paid tribute to Osbourne’s influence, crediting Black Sabbath with shaping the genre. Social media posts on X reflected the emotional weight of his final show, with fans noting his resilience despite visible frailty.
Osbourne’s career spanned over five decades, from Black Sabbath’s formation in 1968, which defined heavy metal, to a successful solo career and reality TV fame with The Osbournes.