John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne (3 December 1948 – 22 July 2025) was an English singer, songwriter and media personality. He rose to prominence during the 1970s as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath, during which period he adopted the nickname “Prince of Darkness”.

John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne (3 December 1948 – 22 July 2025): The Prince of Darkness Who Lit Up the World of Rock

John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne, born on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England, passed away on July 22, 2025, leaving behind a legacy that will forever echo through the annals of rock and metal history. Known universally as the “Prince of Darkness,” Ozzy was more than just a performer—he was a phenomenon, a survivor, and a symbol of raw, unfiltered rebellion that defined generations.

Ozzy first rose to prominence in the early 1970s as the lead singer of Black Sabbath, the pioneering heavy metal band that birthed a genre and terrified the mainstream. With haunting riffs, dark lyrics, and a guttural howl that became instantly recognizable, Osbourne helped create a sound that stood in stark contrast to the peace-and-love movement of the 1960s. Tracks like “Paranoid,” “Iron Man,” and “War Pigs” didn’t just entertain—they disturbed, challenged, and revolutionized the music industry.

Despite being fired from Black Sabbath in 1979 due to his escalating drug and alcohol abuse, Ozzy embarked on a solo career that would elevate him to even greater heights. His debut solo album, Blizzard of Ozz (1980), which featured iconic tracks like “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley,” cemented his place as a solo star. Over the next several decades, Ozzy released a string of successful albums, embarked on countless world tours, and became a permanent fixture in the pantheon of rock gods.

But Ozzy Osbourne was not only known for his music—he was also a cultural icon. His outlandish stage antics, including famously biting the head off a bat during a live performance, made headlines and added to his mythos. In the 2000s, he reached a new audience through The Osbournes, an MTV reality series that offered an intimate (and often hilarious) look into the chaotic domestic life of Ozzy, his wife Sharon, and their children. The show was a massive success and revealed a softer, more vulnerable side of the so-called Prince of Darkness.

Behind the fame and infamy, Ozzy was a man who battled personal demons. His decades-long struggle with addiction was well documented, yet so too was his resilience. He often spoke candidly about his challenges, endearing himself to fans who saw in him a symbol of flawed perseverance. His marriage to Sharon Osbourne remained one of rock’s most enduring love stories, marked by trials, loyalty, and redemption.

In his final years, despite multiple health challenges—including a Parkinson’s diagnosis and serious spinal injuries—Ozzy remained committed to music and his fans. His final concert, an emotional farewell to the stage, culminated in a tribute not to his legacy, but to Sharon, the woman who stood by him through it all.

Ozzy Osbourne leaves behind not just decades of music, but a spirit of defiance, creativity, and unfiltered humanity. The world may have lost the Prince of Darkness, but his voice, his story, and his impact will live on forever in the hearts of millions.