The world of rock mourns the loss of Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary heavy metal frontman, who passed away at 76. His family confirmed he died “surrounded by love” on an unspecified date in July 2025, just weeks after his emotional farewell performance with Black Sabbath at Birmingham’s Villa Park on July 5, 2025. Known as the Prince of Darkness, Osbourne’s powerful vocals in hits like “Iron Man,” “Paranoid,” and “Crazy Train” defined heavy metal, leaving a void that will never be filled. Without a doubt, Ozzy was one of the biggest influences on all of us at Rock News, shaping our passion for the genre and inspiring countless stories over the decades.
The Final Bow: “Back To The Beginning”
Osbourne’s swan song, the “Back To The Beginning” concert, reunited the original Black Sabbath lineup—Ozzy, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—for the first time since 2005. Held in Birmingham, the 10-hour event drew 40,000 fans and reached 5.8 million livestream viewers globally. Performing from a bat-shaped throne due to Parkinson’s, Osbourne was joined by Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Pantera, and a supergroup led by Tom Morello. The concert raised £140 million for Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice, showcasing his generosity. Highlights included a solo set with “Mr. Crowley” and a tearful thank-you: “I’ve been laid up for six years, and you’ve got no idea how I feel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
A Legacy Forged in Metal
Born John Michael Osbourne in 1948, Ozzy rose from Birmingham’s working-class roots to form Black Sabbath in 1968, inventing heavy metal with their debut album. With 100 million albums sold across his career, including solo hits like Blizzard of Ozz, he influenced generations of musicians from Metallica to Yungblud. His reality TV show The Osbournes brought his chaotic charm to millions, while stunts like biting a bat’s head became rock lore. Despite Parkinson’s, spinal injuries, and addiction battles, his resilience shone through, earning him dual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions (2006 with Sabbath, 2024 solo).
The Concert Film and Cultural Impact
Police hailed the Villa Park show as a cultural milestone, with the theatrical film Back To The Beginning: Ozzy’s Final Bow set for early 2026, featuring tributes from Dolly Parton and Elton John. Birmingham honored him with “Summer of Sabbath” events—murals, a renamed bridge, and city freedom—reflecting his hometown pride. Fans from Argentina to India traveled for the event, underscoring his global reach.
Mourning the Prince of Darkness
Osbourne leaves his wife Sharon, children Jack, Kelly, and Aimee, and a legacy that shaped rock’s soul. Tributes from James Hetfield—“Ozzy gave us the blueprint”—to Yungblud’s dedication of “Changes” flooded in. As the metal world grieves, the question lingers: will anyone ever fill the colossal boots of the Prince of Darkness who inspired us all at Rock News?
Ozzy Osbourne’s Iconic Voice Falls Silent: Heavy Metal Legend Passes at 76 @RockNews
