Just weeks after performing his final farewell show live on stage in England, it’s being reported this afternoon that the forever legend Ozzy Osbourne has passed away at the age of 76.
Osbourne had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease in recent years.
A family statement 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.”
Variety’s obituary labels the legendary Osbourne as “a founding father of British heavy metal, a latter-day solo star and a new-millennium reality TV luminary,” a testament to his enduring longevity and career evolution throughout the decades.
Ozzy Osbourne of course got his start as the lead singer of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath, becoming known thanks to his on-stage behavior as the “Prince of Darkness.” It’s a moniker Osbourne wore proudly over the years, and it was only fitting that he soon made his mark on the horror genre by appearing in the 1986 cult classic film Trick or Treat.
Osbourne memorably appeared in the heavy metal-themed horror film alongside Gene Simmons, poking fun at himself by playing a televangelist railing against heavy metal music.
The 1980s also saw Obsourne transition from Black Sabbath to a solo career, releasing 13 studio albums and becoming even more popular on his own than he was with the band. He reunited with Sabbath on several occasions, most recently just two short weeks ago.
Ozzy Osbourne is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for both his Black Sabbath and solo work, and he also has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He sold over 100 million albums throughout his career, transcending music to become a true pop culture icon.
There will never be another Ozzy Osbourne. Rest in Peace, legend.