The singer, who later became famous on reality TV show The Osbournes, dies less than three weeks after retirement concert
Ozzy Osbourne, whose gleeful “Prince of Darkness” image made him one of the most iconic rock frontmen of all time, has died aged 76.
A statement from the Osbourne family reads: “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.” No cause of death was given, though Osbourne had experienced various forms of ill health in recent years.
Osbourne was one of the most notorious figures in rock: an innovator whose eerie wail helped usher in heavy metal, a showman who once bit the head off a bat on stage, an addict whose substance abuse led him to attempt to murder his wife, and latterly, a reality TV star much loved for his bemusement at family life on The Osbournes.
His death comes less than three weeks after his retirement from performance. On 5 July, Osbourne reunited with his original bandmates in the pioneering group Black Sabbath for the first time since 2005, for Back to the Beginning:
an all-star farewell concert featuring some of the biggest names in metal. “I’ve been laid up for six years, and you’ve got no idea how I feel,” he told the crowd that night, referring to extensive health issues including a form of Parkinson’s and numerous surgeries on his spine. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
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