Ozzy Osbourne, ‘Prince of Darkness,’ dies at 76 – Washington Examiner
Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary heavy metal vocalist and former lead singer of Black Sabbath, passed away at the age of 76. His family announced his death via social media, expressing their grief and requesting privacy. Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham, England, in 1948, he rose to fame in the 1970s as a pioneering figure in heavy metal music, known for his dynamic stage presence and shocking antics, such as famously biting the head off a bat during a 1982 concert.
In the 2000s, Osbourne transitioned to reality television, starring in the hit MTV show *The Osbournes*, which showcased his family life. Throughout his career, he battled substance abuse and various health issues, including a parkinson’s disease diagnosis revealed in 2020 and emphysema. In 2022, he underwent multiple spinal surgeries that uncovered a vertebral tumor, which affected his mobility and balance.
Despite declining health,Osbourne expressed his desire to perform one final show for his loyal fans,which he accomplished in Birmingham,the city where his career began,just days before his death. Known as the “Godfather of Heavy Metal” and the “Prince of darkness,” Osbourne left a lasting impact on rock music and its culture.
Ozzy Osbourne, ‘Prince of Darkness,’ dies at 76
Ozzy Osbourne, the famous heavy metal vocalist, former lead singer of Black Sabbath, and reality TV star, died on Tuesday.
His family announced his death in a post on the late musician’s social media accounts. The pioneer of heavy metal music was 76.
“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,” the singer’s family posted on X. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
The announcement of his death was signed by his wife Sharon Osbourne, children Kelly, Jack, Aimee, and his son Louis from a previous marriage.
The son of a tool maker and a factory worker, John Michael Osbourne was born in Birmingham, England, on Dec. 3, 1948. He was enormously successful in the 1970s as the vocalist for the rock band Black Sabbath. He was known for his onstage antics as a performer, including when he bit the head off of a live bat during a performance in Iowa in 1982.
In the 2000s, after his rock career slowed, Osbourne turned to television, specifically reality television. In one of the earliest hits of the reality genre, the former rock singer starred in the show The Osbournes. The show focused on his life as the patriarch of the Osbourne family. It was a massive hit for MTV and aired from 2002 to 2005 on the network.
As a rock star in the 1970s and 1980s, Osbourne was an avid drug user and drinker. He chronicled his abuse in the 2010 autobiography I Am Ozzy. Osbourne was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, revealing it to the public in 2020. In 2020, the singer also disclosed he had emphysema.
In 2022, Osbourne had a series of spinal surgeries during which a vertebral tumor was discovered. He described the ordeal in an interview with Rolling Stone U.K.
“It’s really knocked me about,” Osbourne said. “The second surgery went drastically wrong and virtually left me crippled. I thought I’d be up and running after the second and third, but with the last one, they put a f***ing rod in my spine. They found a tumor in one of the vertebrae, so they had to dig all that out, too. It’s pretty rough, man, and my balance is all f***ed up.”
During his recovery in 2022, the heavy metal singer acknowledged his deteriorating health but hoped to perform one final show.
“At best, I’ve got 10 years left, and when you’re older, time picks up speed,” Osbourne said after the surgeries.
“I never got the chance to say goodbye or thank you,” Osbourne said. “Because my fans are what it’s all about. If I can just do a few gigs.”
OZZY OSBOURNE ENDS THE CAREER THAT MADE HEAVY METAL
“They’ve been loyal to me for f***ing years,” he added. “They write to me, they know all about my dogs. It’s my extended family, really, and they give us the lifestyle we have. For whatever reason, that’s my goal to work to. To do those shows.”
Osbourne received his wish. The English musician known as “the Godfather of Heavy Metal” and “Prince of Darkness” died 17 days after his final performance in Birmingham, England, where his career began in 1968.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
