Tributes have been flooding in following the death of the ”Prince of Darkness” Ozzy Osbourne.
The legendary metal pioneer passed away at his home in the United Kingdom on Tuesday morning at the age of 76. Although Osbourne had lived in the US for decades, his family maintained a home in the UK, where he was born in Birmingham in 1948.
His death comes after he played Black Sabbath’s farewell gig in his home city of Birmingham just two weeks ago.
Osbourne had been battling ill health, particularly after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019.
His family announced his passing on Facebook:
“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.
Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis.”
Ozzy’s fellow Black Sabbath bandmates also posted moving tributes. Black Sabbath co-founder and guitarist Tony Iommi wrote on Instagram:
“I just can’t believe it. My dear, dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park. It’s such heart-breaking news that I can’t really find the words. Geezer, Bill, and myself have lost our brother. My thoughts go out to Sharon and all the Osbourne family. Rest in peace, Oz. Tony. There won’t ever be another like him.”
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Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward posted on X:
“Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls, no, you’re forever in my heart. Deepest condolences to Sharon and all family members. RIP Sincere regrets to all the fans. Never goodbye. Thank you forever. Bill Ward.”
Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls, no, you’re forever in my heart. Deepest condolences to Sharon and all family members. RIP Sincere regrets to all the fans. Never goodbye. Thank you forever. Bill Ward pic.twitter.com/2HSaIZfkX2
— Bill Ward (@billwarddrums) July 22, 2025
In a post on Facebook, Metallica said it was impossible to put into words what Ozzy Osbourne meant to the band.
“Hero, icon, pioneer, inspiration, mentor, and most of all, friend are a few that come to mind. Ozzy and Sharon believed in us and transformed our lives and careers. He taught us how to play in the big leagues while at the same time being warm, welcoming, engaging, and all around brilliant.”
The former vocalist of Van Halen Sammy Hagar, paid tribute to Osbourne on Instagram:
“Ozzy Osbourne was and will always be a one of a kind true rock legend. For him to have been that close to death on July 5 and still get up there and perform like he promised…Wow! That puts him in a category of his own. Talk about commitment and loyalty to your fans. Nobody’s going to out-do that ever! RIP my brother, you did it all.”
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The Foo Fighters posted:
“Rest in peace, Ozzy. And thank you for a lifetime of inspiration. Rock and Roll would not be as loud or as fun without you. You will be forever missed. Our deepest condolences to the entire Osbourne and Sabbath family.”
Rest in peace, Ozzy. And thank you for a lifetime of inspiration. Rock and Roll would not be as loud or as fun without you. You will be forever missed.
Our deepest condolences to the entire Osbourne and Sabbath family.
📷 @RossHalfin pic.twitter.com/b6aWe8msKo
— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) July 22, 2025
Many other bands would have been heavily influenced by Black Sabbath.
“RIP Ozzy Osbourne. Thank you for all that you did for music and for Mötley Crüe. None of this would be same if it wasn’t for you and you will be missed. Our thoughts are with the Osbourne family.”
RIP @OzzyOsbourne
Thank you for all that you did for music and for Mötley Crüe. None of this would be same if it wasn’t for you and you will be missed. Our thoughts are with the Osbourne family. 🖤#ozzyosbourne #mötleycrüe pic.twitter.com/eLuElVIYxj— Mötley Crüe (@MotleyCrue) July 22, 2025
Aerosmith also posted a moving tribute:
“We’re heartbroken to hear about the passing of our brother in rock, Ozzy Osbourne. A voice that changed music forever. From Black Sabbath to his solo work, Ozzy redefined what it meant to be heavy. He did it all with heart, grit, and that wild spirit only he could bring. Our love goes out to Sharon, his family, his band, and the millions around the world who felt his fire. Rock on, Ozzy. You will be missed, but never forgotten!”
We’re heartbroken to hear about the passing of our brother in rock, Ozzy Osbourne. A voice that changed music forever. From Black Sabbath to his solo work, Ozzy redefined what it meant to be heavy. He did it all with heart, grit, and that wild spirit only he could bring.
Our… pic.twitter.com/GNR3Rcw2wU
— Aerosmith (@Aerosmith) July 22, 2025
Yungblud, who was close to Ozzy, wrote:
“I didn’t think you would leave so soon the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room. But as it is written with legends, they seem to know things that we don’t. I will never forget you – you will be in every single note I sing and with me every single time I walk on stage. Your cross around my neck is the most precious thing I own. You asked me once if there was anything you could do for me and as I said then and as I will say now for all of us the music was enough. You took us on your adventure – an adventure that started it all. I am truly heartbroken. You were the greatest of all time.”
I didn’t think you would leave so soon the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room. But as it is written with legends, they seem to know things that we don’t. I will never forget you – you will be in every single note I sing and with me every… pic.twitter.com/vvCI4z862b
— YUNGBLUD (@yungblud) July 22, 2025
Throughout Osbourne’s life, he seemed to court controversy.
In 1982 he was arrested in San Antonio, Texas, after urinating on a monument near The Alamo. This led to him being banned from performing in the city for a decade.
The Alamo took to Facebook to honour Ozzy, despite the disrespectful past:
“We at the Alamo are saddened to hear of the passing of legendary musician Ozzy Osbourne. His relationship with the Alamo was marked initially by a deeply disrespectful incident in 1982. This act profoundly and rightfully upset many who hold this site sacred. However, redemption and reconciliation eventually became part of his history as well. In 1992, Ozzy personally apologized to then-Mayor Nelson Wolff and expressed genuine remorse for his actions. Decades later, in 2015, he revisited the Alamo grounds to learn and appreciate the site’s profound history, openly demonstrating humility and understanding.”
The Parkinson’s Foundation also expressed its sadness, praising him for being open about his Parkinson’s journey since 2019.
“Since his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in 2019, Osbourne publicly shared his journey and brought greater awareness to the challenges of living with PD. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fans as we honour his legacy and continue to fight for everyone impacted by Parkinson’s.”
The Parkinson’s Foundation is deeply saddened by the passing of music legend Ozzy Osbourne, just weeks after his farewell show. Since his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in 2019, Osbourne publicly shared his journey and brought greater awareness to the challenges of living with PD.… pic.twitter.com/M4U8l2cHAn
— Parkinson’s Foundation (@ParkinsonDotOrg) July 22, 2025
Thank you for the music! Rock on, Prince of Darkness!
