Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath, has died at the age of 76. His family confirmed the news, stating he passed away on Tuesday, July 22, surrounded by his loved ones.
Just 24 hours before his death, Osbourne shared a poignant final post on Instagram. The post featured a poster reading 'Ozzy Osbourne, Back to the beginning' with an image of Black Sabbath, referencing his farewell show in Birmingham earlier this month.
The 'Prince of Darkness' had been battling Parkinson's disease and underwent multiple surgeries in recent years. Despite his health struggles, he performed his last ever gig on July 5 at the 'Back To The Beginning' show in his hometown, where he sat on a black throne due to his inability to stand.
In an emotional moment at the concert, Osbourne told the crowd: 'I don’t know what to say, man, I’ve been laid up for like six years. You have no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart.' He described the show as 'my final encore' and 'a chance to say thank you to my fans.'
Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Aston, Birmingham, he rose to fame as the frontman of Black Sabbath, pioneering heavy metal. His family, including wife Sharon and children Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis, asked for privacy in a statement expressing their 'more sadness than mere words can convey.'
