Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of Black Sabbath and one of the founding fathers of British heavy metal, passed away on July 23, 2025, at the age of 76. His death was confirmed by the BBC, with his family releasing a statement that Osbourne died peacefully surrounded by loved ones, requesting privacy during this difficult time. 
Osbourne had battled significant health issues in recent years, publicly revealing his Parkinson's diagnosis in 2020 and announcing his retirement from touring in 2023 due to spinal injuries. Poignantly, just two weeks before his passing, he made a final stage appearance at the British Music Festival "Back to the Beginning," widely considered Black Sabbath's last performance. Metal titans like Metallica, Pantera, and Alice in Chains gathered to pay tribute, creating a powerful and emotional atmosphere.
Born in Birmingham, UK, in 1948, Osbourne had a tumultuous youth, including a stint in prison for burglary before dedicating himself to music. In 1969, he co-founded Black Sabbath with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, laying the groundwork for the heavy metal genre. From "Paranoid" and "Iron Man" to "War Pigs," his melancholic, low-pitched vocals and apocalyptic lyrics profoundly influenced subsequent generations. Critics once described them as "devoid of any pretense of peace and love, utterly defining heavy metal."
After being fired from the band in 1979 due to substance abuse issues, Osbourne launched a hugely successful solo career, making a comeback with "Blizzard of Ozz," which featured the iconic hit "Crazy Train." He also founded the Ozzfest music festival, which became one of the most successful metal tours of the 1990s and championed countless emerging bands. His infamous stage antics, including biting the heads off a dove and a bat, further cemented his status as a controversial and captivating figure.
Osbourne's life was a rollercoaster of highs and lows, marked by battles with addiction, legal troubles, and marital strife, yet he never ceased creating music. His voice defined a generation's anger and rebellion, and his final stage appearance in his hometown of Birmingham served as a poignant farewell to the world.
Ozzy Osbourne, the rock legend who once bit a bat's head, ultimately found his peace through love and music.
via： BBC