Rock iconOzzy Osbournehas died at the age of 76, according to a report fromBBC. Osbourne, the lead singer of Black Sabbath and star of the MTV reality showThe Osbournes, died on July 22nd, just weeks after the band’s farewell concert in Birmingham.

His family released the following statement, via theBBC:

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.

Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis

Ozzy Osbourne Was One Of A Kind In Rock And Roll

He Paved The Way For So Many After Him

Born John Michael Osbourne on Aug 14, 2025, Ozzy Osbourne became one of the most recognizable rock stars of his generation and most after. He, along with his band Black Sabbath,were pioneers in the heavy metal genre, and are often credited for amplifying and elevating the sound to a worldwide audience.

Ever the entertainer, Osbourne was known for his antics on stage, including famously biting the head off a bat in 1982 at a concert in Des Moines, IA. Outside his multiple times as lead singer of Black Sabbath,he enjoyed a successful solo career, producing 13 solo albums, his last release in 2022, and spawning hits like “Iron Man” and “War Pigs.”

His personal life could beequal parts nightmare and triumph. His life was marred by substance abuse, and his almost 40-year marriage to Sharon was full of its own tribulations. Osbourne struggled with sobriety, first achieving it in the late 2000s, coupled with a relapse in 2013, then maintaining it from 2014 to his death.

Ozzy’s Second Act With His Family

A Reality Show Family And Their Legacy On MTV

Arguably one of the more unusual parts of Ozzy Osbourne’s admittedly unusual life was his second act,this time as a reality television show star. For four years,The Osbournesaired on MTV, following the daily lives of Ozzy, Sharon, and two of their children, Jack and Kelly.

The Osbourneswas one of the most popular and influential reality shows in MTV’s history. Its popularityled to additional reality-styled shows on the networkand changed the dynamic of MTV’s offerings, shifting its focus from music to reality television. Osbourne stated he did not watch the episodes back, tellingBBC Radio 2(viaDaily Record) he was “stoned” throughout the entire filming.

Ozzy Osbourne Was A Pioneer Of Heavy Metal

Influenced An Entire Generation And Beyond

There’s perhaps no other artist as influential on the rock and roll genre in quite the same way Ozzy Osbourne was to heavy metal. His dark, brooding, demonic presence was not seen in popular music prior to the arrival of Black Sabbath, andhis lyrical content troubled parents while exciting legions of fans worldwide.

Two weeks ago, metal and hard rock iconsgathered for Ozzy’s final performancein Birmingham, UK, called “Back to the Beginning.” The event, featuring a who’s who in music including Anthrax, Jack Black, Guns N’ Roses, and Metallica, was headlined by Osbourne and Black Sabbath on July 5th, with an estimated attendance of 45,000 in person and millions online.

In addition to Sharon, Jack, and Kelly,Ozzy Osbourneis survived by his children, Jessica, Louis, and Aimee. Funeral arrangements and public tributes will likely be announced in the weeks ahead.