Ozzy Osbourne 1948 - 2025
- The Old Country Crows
- Jul 23
- 2 min read
Black Sabbath frontman passes away aged 76
One of rock music's greatest showmen has passed away at the age of 76. Ozzy Osbourne, original frontman of Black Sabbath who then went on to carve out a brilliant solo career had suffered several health issues in recent years.
Black Sabbath were formed in the Aston district of Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler, and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. After adopting the Black Sabbath name in 1969, they distinguished themselves through occult themes with horror-inspired lyrics and down-tuned guitars. Their early albums were seen as pioneering in the development of heavy metal music.
Ozzy departed Black Sabbath in 1979. He then began a successful solo career with Blizzard of Ozz in 1980 and released 13 studio albums, the first seven of which received multi-platinum certifications in the United States.
His recordings with guitarist Randy Rhodes are rated as some of the greatest in rock music ever produced.
Osbourne sold over 100 million albums, including his solo work and Black Sabbath releases. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Black Sabbath in 2006 and as a solo artist in 2024. He was also inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame both solo and with Black Sabbath in 2005. He was honoured with stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Birmingham Walk of Stars.
He reunited with Black Sabbath on several occasions. He rejoined in 1997 and helped record the band's final studio album, 13 in 2013 before they embarked on a farewell tour that ended with a 2017 performance in their native Birmingham.
Ozzy Osbourne died on the morning of 22 July 2025, at the age of 76, seventeen days after his final live performance at the Back to the Beginning farewell concert at Villa Park, Birmingham.
Aside from the music Ozzy was a great character who led a real rock and roll lifestyle.
The 'Sabbath Bench' at Broad Street/Birmingham Canal Old Line has since become a shrine for Ozzy.
Comments