BREAKING: Black Sabbath Guitarist Tony Iommi Pa…read more.
The world has lost more than just a rock star. It has lost a voice, a spirit, and a symbol of rebellion. Ozzy Osbourne, the unforgettable frontman of Black Sabbath and a larger-than-life icon in music, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, July 22, 2025, at the age of 76.
In the hours following the announcement, longtime friend and Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi shared a raw and emotional message with fans and the world.
“I just can’t believe it,” Iommi wrote. “My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park. It’s heartbreaking. There’ll never be another like him. Geezer, Bill and I have lost a brother.”
The message was short, but it said everything. Behind the iconic riffs and haunting lyrics, Black Sabbath was a family and that family is now grieving.
One Last Goodbye in Birmingham
Just over two weeks ago, fans from all over the world gathered at Villa Park to witness something no one thought they’d ever see again the original Black Sabbath lineup sharing the stage one last time. Ozzy, though clearly frail and seated for most of the set, wore a smile that lit up the entire stadium.
It was their final gift to the fans and to each other. And looking back now, it feels like Ozzy knew it was goodbye.
The concert, dubbed “Back to the Beginning,” was a homecoming in every sense. Held in the heart of Birmingham, where the band was born, it was a powerful, emotional send-off that saw Ozzy, Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward play classics like “War Pigs,” “Children of the Grave,” and “Paranoid.”
Between songs, Ozzy often looked out at the sea of people and simply said, “Thank you.” No theatrics. No showbiz. Just gratitude. It was the most honest version of him raw, funny, a little broken, but still full of fight.
That night raised more than £140 million for charities dear to his heart, including Parkinson’s research and children’s hospitals across the UK. It wasn’t just a concert. It was closure.
A Quiet Passing
Ozzy’s family released a simple and tender statement on Tuesday morning:
“It is with more sadness than we can express that we share the news that Ozzy has passed away. He was with family and surrounded by love. We ask for privacy during this time.”
Though no cause of death was immediately confirmed, fans knew Ozzy had been battling health issues for years Parkinson’s disease, complications from multiple surgeries, and the lingering effects of past injuries. Despite all of it, he continued to show up for his fans, for his bandmates, and for the music.
A Life That Changed Music Forever
John Michael Osbourne, born in 1948 in Aston, Birmingham, didn’t just dream of rock stardom he lived it in the loudest, most chaotic, and most unforgettable way. From the moment he joined forces with Iommi, Butler, and Ward to form Black Sabbath in 1968, a new sound was born. Dark, heavy, and unapologetic, Sabbath’s music laid the foundation for heavy metal.
Ozzy’s voice haunting, strange, full of emotion became the soul of that sound.
When he was dismissed from the band in 1979, many thought he’d disappear. Instead, he launched a solo career that became a monster in its own right, delivering hit after hit and introducing the world to Randy Rhoads and Zakk Wylde. With “Crazy Train,” “Mr. Crowley,” and “No More Tears,” he carved out a second legacy.
Then came The Osbournes, the reality TV show that revealed the man behind the myth funny, flawed, loving, and sometimes completely lost in his own house. It made him relatable. It made him human.
A Worldwide Wave of Grief and Gratitude
Since news of Ozzy’s death broke, tributes have poured in from every corner of the music world. Geezer Butler wrote, “Four kids from Aston. Who would’ve thought?” Bill Ward said simply, “You’re forever in my heart.”
Legends like Elton John, Paul Stanley, Metallica, and Alice Cooper have honored him, not just for his music, but for his courage and authenticity.
Even fans who never saw him live are posting personal stories of how Ozzy’s music helped them survive heartbreak, depression, or just the tough days of growing up.
Remembering Ozzy, Forever
Tony Iommi’s tribute ended with the words, “Rest in peace, Oz.” Simple. Final. But the truth is, peace doesn’t mean forgotten. Ozzy’s music, energy, and wild spirit will live on for generations. He didn’t just sing about madness he embraced it and turned it into something beautiful.
A concert film, Back to the Beginning: Ozzy’s Final Bow, is already in production and expected to be released in early 2026. It will give fans one more chance to see the Prince of Darkness where he belonged: on stage, with a mic in his hand and a grin on his face.
For those who loved him, Ozzy wasn’t just the voice of metal he was the beating heart. He gave us permission to be loud, weird, angry, and real. And for that, the world will always thank him.
Rest easy, Ozzy. We’ll never forget you.
