BREAKING: Black Sabbath Founder Tony Iommi C…read more.
The world of rock is mourning the loss of one of its greatest icons. Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath and a true pioneer of heavy metal, passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76. The news was confirmed by his family, who revealed that he died peacefully, surrounded by those closest to him.
Shortly after the announcement, guitarist Tony Iommi Ozzy’s longtime bandmate and friend shared a deeply personal statement expressing his heartbreak.
“I still can’t believe it. Ozzy, my dear friend, is gone. It was just weeks ago we played together in Birmingham. This is devastating. There will never be another like him. For me, Geezer, and Bill, this feels like losing a brother,” Iommi wrote on social media. “My heart goes out to Sharon and the entire Osbourne family. Rest easy, Oz.”
A Farewell Performance to Remember
Just over two weeks before his passing, Ozzy joined the original Black Sabbath lineup for a historic farewell concert in their hometown of Birmingham on July 5. The event, held at Villa Park stadium, brought together the founding members—Ozzy, Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward—for what would become their final performance as a band.
Titled “Back to the Beginning,” the sold-out benefit show drew more than 40,000 fans. Despite sitting on a throne for most of the night due to health issues, Ozzy was full of emotion as he addressed the crowd.
“Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he told the audience, waving goodbye after a roaring version of “Paranoid.”
The concert raised over £140 million for charities close to the Osbournes’ hearts, including Parkinson’s research and local children’s hospitals. It was a fitting final bow for a band that defined heavy metal.
Final Days and Public Statement
Ozzy’s death, while not entirely unexpected given his health battles, still came as a shock. He had publicly revealed his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2020 and had been dealing with complications from back surgeries and a prior ATV accident. Despite his condition, he remained committed to music until the very end.
The Osbourne family shared the news in a brief but heartfelt statement:
“With heavy hearts, we announce that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away. He was surrounded by love and family. We ask for privacy during this difficult time.”
The exact cause of death has not been released.
Remembering a Legend
John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne was born in Aston, Birmingham in 1948 and changed the face of music forever when he co-founded Black Sabbath in 1968. Alongside Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, Ozzy helped craft a raw, heavy sound that would define metal for generations.
Albums like Paranoid, Master of Reality, and Black Sabbath became classics, with Ozzy’s haunting vocals and Iommi’s distinctive guitar riffs creating a sound that shook the world.
Even after being dismissed from the band in 1979, Ozzy launched a wildly successful solo career, delivering hits like “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley.” His influence only grew with the 2002 debut of The Osbournes on MTV, which introduced him to a whole new generation.
Bandmates and Fans Mourn
Tributes began pouring in the moment news of Ozzy’s passing broke. Geezer Butler wrote, “We started as kids from Aston. Thanks for the memories, brother.” Bill Ward, the band’s original drummer, posted: “I’ll never forget the magic. Rest in peace, my friend.”
Beyond Black Sabbath, musicians from across genres shared their admiration. Elton John, Metallica, Pearl Jam, and Alice Cooper all released statements praising Ozzy’s unparalleled legacy.
Zakk Wylde, his longtime guitarist, said: “Ozzy was more than a legend—he was family to us all.”
A Legacy That Will Never Fade
Ozzy Osbourne was more than just a rock star—he was a cultural icon. Despite his demons, he remained a resilient figure who always returned to the stage, always gave everything to the fans, and always embraced who he was: the Prince of Darkness.
Tony Iommi’s tribute summed it up best: “There’ll never be another Ozzy. He was one of a kind.”
While Ozzy may be gone, his voice, energy, and influence will live on in the music he created and the millions of lives he touched.
A concert film documenting Black Sabbath’s final performance, titled Back to the Beginning: Ozzy’s Final Bow, is expected to be released in early 2026.
And for fans around the world, his message from the Villa Park stage still rings loud: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
