Ozzy Osbourne, iconic frontman of Black Sabbath and a pioneering figure in heavy metal, passed away on Tuesday, July 22, at the age of 76. His death occurred just weeks after he delivered his final farewell performance. The Thames Valley Air Ambulance confirmed they sent a helicopter to an emergency near his home in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, where Osbourne resided with his family.
According to a spokesperson for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance, the helicopter was deployed at 10:30 a.m. local time on July 22. Medical teams spent about two hours at the Osbourne family residence providing specialized medical care before leaving the scene at 12:30 p.m. Despite their extensive efforts, Osbourne died that morning surrounded by loved ones.
The Osbourne family shared news of his passing in a statement released later that day. His wife Sharon, children Jack, Kelly, Aimee, and Louis wrote that, “He was with his family and surrounded by love,” asking for privacy during this period of mourning. Reports indicate there are currently no plans to refer his death to the county coroner.
Ozzy Osbourne’s death came just 17 days after his last appearance with Black Sabbath at Villa Park in Birmingham on July 5. The concert, named “Back to the Beginning,” was the band’s first reunion in two decades and featured original members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. The event showcased performances from Metallica and Guns N’ Roses, raising $190 million for UK charities, including Cure Parkinson’s.
Due to ongoing mobility issues, Osbourne performed from a throne during his farewell show. Addressing the 42,000 fans in attendance, he expressed deep gratitude and emotion, saying they couldn’t possibly understand how much their support meant to him. The concert was billed as his “final bow,” closing an extraordinary and impactful career.
The renowned musician had faced serious health battles in recent years. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2003, he publicly disclosed his illness only in January 2020. In 2019, a fall at his Los Angeles residence displaced metal rods in his spine from a previous ATV accident in 2003, requiring corrective surgery and intensifying his previous injury.
Osbourne described the last five years as an ordeal of relentless hardship for himself and his family. Medical professionals explain that while Parkinson’s itself isn’t usually fatal, it can result in severe complications such as aspiration pneumonia, responsible for most deaths in Parkinson’s patients. Additional risks include malnutrition, blood clots, falls, and dementia.
In the wake of his death, daughter Kelly Osbourne shared her sorrow on social media, posting lines from Black Sabbath’s song “Changes” and reflecting on the loss of her closest friend. Lisa Stelly, former wife of Jack Osbourne, also honored Ozzy, sharing pictures of him with his grandchildren and noting that, while the public knew Ozzy, the family had “Papa.”
In 2023, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne moved to Buckinghamshire, fulfilling Sharon’s wish to return to England. A family source said Sharon’s dream was realized: Ozzy’s final days were spent in England, with family and music, at home and at peace.
Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Aston, Birmingham, Ozzy rose to fame as the “godfather of heavy metal.” Black Sabbath’s debut album in 1970 reached the UK’s top 10 and set the stage for a prolific career, with the band selling more than 75 million albums worldwide and becoming one of metal’s most influential acts.
After leaving Black Sabbath in 1979 because of his self-destructive behavior, Osbourne found solo success with the 1980 release “Blizzard of Ozz.” Later, he became a pop culture fixture through MTV’s “The Osbournes,” which gave viewers a look into his chaotic family life in Los Angeles with Sharon, Kelly, and Jack.
Throughout his career, Ozzy Osbourne was inducted into both the UK Music Hall of Fame and the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice—once each as a member of Black Sabbath and as a solo artist. He earned five Grammy Awards from twelve nominations and received stars on both the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Birmingham’s Broad Street.
News of his passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the music world. Elton John remembered him as a groundbreaking friend who earned his place among rock’s legends. Metallica shared a photo with Osbourne along with a broken heart emoji, and numerous artists recognized his enduring legacy in rock and metal.
Osbourne is survived by his wife Sharon and six children: Aimee, Kelly, and Jack, whom he shared with Sharon, as well as Jessica, Louis, and Elliot from his first marriage to Thelma Riley. He also leaves several grandchildren, who knew and loved him as “Papa.”