In startling news around the globe this morning, godfather of heavy metal Ozzy Osbourne has passed away. The news comes just 17 days after Ozzy's final ever show with Black Sabbath (including Bill Ward) at the iconic Back To The Beginning livestream performance in Birmingham.
The news was announced early this morning (AU time) in a statement from his family.
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
Whilst it's not immensely shocking news, given the lengthy health battles he's publicly shared, the news itself is no less devastating. Over the course of today, Wall of Sound will be updating this piece to add our editors' eulogies and pay respects to the late legend, who left a mark on all of us.
Until then, listen to Black Sabbath and listen to it loud.
Words by Ricky Aarons
An obituary for The Prince Of Darkness;
Ozzy Osbourne has passed away aged 76.
He’s a man who defined heavy metal vocals through Black Sabbath, then for more than forty years as a solo artist. It was only weeks ago that he took his final bow at Back to the Beginning, a star studded celebration of Ozzy and Black Sabbath, that stands as the highest grossing charity concert in history.
Ozzy’s career looked dusted when he left Sabbath in 1979 but, thanks to managers Don Arden and his daughter Sharon, he got it together enough to record his solo debut - the seminal Blizzard of Ozz. It brought the guitar genius of Randy Rhodes to a wider audience who wailed on classics like ‘Crazy Train’, ‘Mr Crowley’ and ‘I Don’t Know’. He would make a second album with Rhodes, Diary of a Madman, before Rhodes died in a plane crash during a break in touring.
He would be joined by other guitarists before meeting prodigy Zakk Wylde in 1988. The two would collaborate for the rest of Ozzy’s career.
His antics in the 1980s became the stuff of legend. But yes, he really did bite the head off a live dove in a meeting with records execs in 1981. He did get banned from San Antonio, Texas for pissing on a historical monument, and he did bite the head off a bat that had been thrown on stage in 1982. It’s less clear whether he actually snorted ants since that story comes from (the similarly inebriated) Motley Crüe.
He would marry Sharon in 1982 and she guided his career through ups and downs. Ozzy decided to retire from touring in the early 90s, having hit the peak of his powers with 1991’s No More Tears. It didn’t last and he was back at it with 1995’s Ozzmosis. With grunge in favour, Sharon tried to get Ozzy booked on the touring festival Lollapolooza, only to be told he wasn’t cool enough. That decision led to Ozzfest, a package tour led by Ozzy that featured the best and up and coming metal bands plus regular Black Sabbath reunions from 1997.
Ozzfest firmly established Ozzy as the godfather of heavy metal, with even Nu metal bands paying tribute and appearing on Ozzfest. In 2002, he became a pop culture celebrity again thanks to MTV’s reality show The Osbournes. His wicked sense of humour came through the silver screen and he and the family would enjoy the publicity, launching media careers for his son Jack and daughter Kelly.
The final phase of his career cemented his legacy. There was a final album, 13, and tour with Black Sabbath, which included a live DVD recorded in Melbourne. He launched his final solo tour, which would’ve included headlining Download AU 2019, but he suffered various health conditions and couldn’t complete it. He was eventually diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019.
Producer Andrew Watt guided Ozzy through two solo albums, Ordinary Man (2020), and Patient Number 9 (2022), which featured an array of guests: Jeff Beck, Tony Iommi, Josh Homme, Zakk Wylde, Taylor Hawkins and Chad Smith among them. There were collaborations with newer artists like Post Malone and Yungblud. He played ‘Paranoid’ with Iommi at the closing ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in their hometown of Birmingham. He is in the US Rock n Roll Hall of Fame twice, with Black Sabbath (2006) and as a solo artist (2024).
Eulogy written by KJ Draven @KJDraven
Tributes
Tributes are flying in from the heavy metal scene, including Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward.
Tony Iommi - Ozzy's Sabbath guitarist shared "there won't ever be another like him"
I just can’t believe it! My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park. It’s just such heartbreaking news that I can’t really find the words, there won’t ever be another like him. Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother.
My thoughts go out to Sharon and all the Osbourne family. Rest in peace Oz. Tony
Geezer Butler, Sabbath bassist/lyricist says goodbye to his fellow bandmate.
Goodbye dear friend- thanks for all those years- we had some great fun. 4 kids from Aston- who’d have thought, eh? So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.
Bill Ward, Sabbath drummer says Ozzy is "forever in my heart"
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.
Ozzy's understudy, Yungblud, has shared a deeply personal tribute to "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 the 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.
Metallica share their heartbreak.
OZZY RIP
It’s impossible to put into words what Ozzy Osbourne has meant to Metallica. 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.
We are heartbroken and devastated by this loss and send our love and condolences to Sharon and their family, bandmates, and his very large circle of friends. He left an incredible legacy and will be sorely missed.
Ozzy's long time collaborator Zakk Wylde says Ozzy "made the world a better place"
THANK YOU FOR BLESSING THE WORLD w/YOUR KINDNESS & GREATNESS OZ - YOU BROUGHT LIGHT INTO SO MANY LIVES & MADE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE - YOU LIVED w/THE HEART OF A LION - I THANK THE GOOD LORD EVERY DAY FOR BLESSING MY LIFE w/YOU IN IT - I LOVE YOU OZ BEYOND FOREVER ZAKK XOXO
Lzzy Hale of Halestorm - who was the only female musician to perform at the Back to the Beginning concert has shared her love and appreciation for Ozzy
Ozzy, Thank you for carving a path for us to follow and giving us weirdos a place we could call home. Thank you for your unapologetic, reckless show of Love. And thank you for sharing that love and hope to the world. We will keep the fire burning til we see you on the other side.
Fellow BTTB performers Lamb of God also shared their sentiments
The loss we feel today is immeasurable. Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath created heavy metal…and with it, they created a world in which generations of people could feel accepted and welcome…safe and free to be their authentic selves knowing that they won’t ever be alone. Ozzy changed the world…and for millions of people all over the world, it’s nearly impossible to imagine where we might be if he hadn’t. So even as we mourn his passing, we celebrate his life. What a life it was! And how generously Ozzy and his family shared it with us!
On a more personal note, the entire Osbourne family was instrumental in helping support and guide the early stages of Lamb of God’s career…they always believed in us. We are forever grateful….for the support and love they’ve shown us…and most of all for the music they’ve given to all of us.
We love you Ozzy. ❤️
Jonathan Davis of KoRn discusses his musical hero
This man ment the world to me. He was one of my musical hero’s and did so much for me personally and for korn. I’m going to miss our little chats. My heart goes out to @sharonosbourne and the family. Rest in peace my brother. Your memory and what you have done for music will live forever 🤘🏼
Wall Of Sound staff remember the godfather of heavy metal
Co-editor Ricky Aarons joined ABC Radio Melbourne's Sharnelle and Bob to discuss Ozzy Osbourne's legacy.
From writer Duane James @duanejamestattoo
I was listening to “War Pigs” by Faith No More as a kid when Dads mate Ian, from up the street strolls past and asks “what’s this?” I said “Faith No More” He said “that’s Black Sabbath” “What’s a Black Sabbath?” We went up to his house and he shows me two old videos, one of Black Sabbath live touring Vol 4, and Dio performing Holy Diver live. We watched Ozzy bolt around in his tassled jacket while Ian ran down the whole Sabbath timeline, listened to old Sabbath tapes, talked about tattoos, motorbikes, drugs and why not to use them, even referencing songs like “Snowblind” and “Sweet Leaf” as examples for his argument. That day set me on a trajectory that’s taken me to where I am today. None of what I do exists without Black Sabbath and Ozzy. He is already missed.
From editor-in-chief Paul 'Browny' Brown @brownypaul
There's no other name in heavy metal that will live up to the legacy of The Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne. From pioneering heavy metal into the cult community it is today, to showing us behind the scenes of his crazy life on The Osbournes, Ozzy was epitome of a real life rockstarrr and his presence will truly be missed for the rest of eternity. Rest In Peace to the wildest man to have ever lived xox
From senior writer Gareth Williams @notgareth
Ozzy has always been there, my whole life. Until I woke at 4am Wednesday morning to read the news he was gone there was a chance Ozzy was eternal. Before MTV and reality shows Ozzy Osborne was our Prince of Darkness, he was dangerous and cool. Parents, governments and censorship groups didn’t understand him, in fact Ozzy scared the living shit out of them all in the 80s and 90s. The more fingers were pointed at Ozzy the more kids thought “fuck yeah, that’s cool!”. Ozzy became different sorts of cool to different generations. My generation saw him as cool because he fronted Black Sabbath, the band who invented Heavy Metal and he forged his own path and solo career (with a little help from Sharon). My kids generation think Ozzy is cool because ‘Crazy Train’ was on the soundtrack of the animated hit movie Megamind. Ozzy’s influence is immeasurable. That figure in black no longer stands before us, he will be missed.
From writer Rod Whitfield
I’ve been expecting it, but it’s still hit me hard. Glad he saw his final, triumphant show. Glad I got to experience seeing him play live, in Sabbath and solo. Utterly untouchable musically from 1970 to 1991. RIP to the man who helped create the style of music I love most. 😢😢😢😢😢
From writer Will Oakeshott @teenwolfwill
"Death is so final, for only the living, The spirit will always remain." - Ozzy Osbourne, 'Back On Earth' 1997. Leave it to the scientifically declared "genetic mutant", the original and unmistakable voice of Black SabBATh, the multi-Grammy award winner, and the Rock'n'Roll Hall Of Famer (that list goes on), to have composed such a perfectly poetic farewell song. To the true 'Iron Man', thank you for your immeasurable and immaculate innovation of the Heavy Metal genre. Your "spirit will always remain". “But I’ve got no complaints. At least I’ll be remembered.” - The Prince of Darkness.
From writer Kayla Hamilton @kaylazomboid
Growing up in a family surrounded by metalheads, Ozzy Osbourne was more worshipped than God...and we are technically Catholic. From my grandma singing 'Paranoid' at a family SingStar night to sitting with my uncles around an Ozzy DVD, discussing music in depth, to say Ozzy and his music is a huge part of who I am today is an understatement. Rest in Peace legend, your legacy is unmatched. Thank you for everything.
From writer Simon Valentine @simonvalentineau
In my late teens I pulled out The Ozzman Cometh, a best of Ozzy album, out of a music library of a community radio station, and have been hooked ever since. Ozzy wrote great songs, was a big personality both in the rock world and via The Osbournes tv show, gave us budding guitarists heroes to look up to in Randy Roads and Zakk Wylde, and provided the gift of heavy music to the world. A true legend, RIP Ozzy.
Memories from the musicians
Rob Trujillo (Metallica and Infectious Grooves) reflects on Ozzy creating his infamous crab walk.
Go back through the years with our Ozzy Forever Playlists on Spotify, Apple Music and TIDAL.
