Legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne passes away in 2025 at the age of 77
In the world of heavy metal, one name stands out as a pioneer and an icon - John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne. Born on December 3rd, 1948, in Aston, Birmingham, Ozzy Osbourne's journey to stardom began humbly. He described himself as a "kid who was afraid of everything", a poverty-stung petty thief, and a class clown.
Ozzy's musical career took off in 1968 when he pinned a classified ad to a Birmingham music shop, setting in motion his ascent as the singer for Black Sabbath, a band that would later rename itself from Ozzy Zig and fire the starting pistol for heavy metal.
Black Sabbath's early output provided a sonic template that inspired generations of musicians. The band, comprising of Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, Tony Iommi on guitar, Geezer Butler on bass, Bill Ward on drums, and later Randy Rhoads, was a powerhouse of innovation and creativity.
However, during the recording of 1972's Vol.4, Ozzy Osbourne was deemed to have fallen into bad ways by the Sabbath lineup and was eventually sacked from the band. This was a turning point in Ozzy's career, leading him to work on his solo albums, Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman, which, despite his struggles with substance abuse, are considered as important as Black Sabbath's work.
Ozzy's wild reputation, marked by antics such as urinating on the Alamo, falling asleep during interviews, and biting the heads off wildlife, became famous and set a high bar for others. Yet, even behind this facade, there was a softer side to Ozzy. Dave Grohl, from Nirvana, praised Ozzy as a "cute and funny guy".
Sharon Arden, the daughter of Don Arden, played a crucial role in reviving Ozzy's career. She managed him and helped him create the album Blizzard Of Ozz in 1980. Sharon Osbourne provided a steady support throughout Ozzy's tumultuous life, even though their marriage was far from a traditional romance.
Ozzy's legacy as the frontman of Black Sabbath, who co-created the metal genre, is unforgettable. His impact on music will outlive the tales of his substance abuse. In 1997, Ozzy expressed his admiration for Black Sabbath and credited them for influencing bands like Soundgarden and Nirvana.
Tom Morello, a renowned musician, praised Ozzy's solo work, stating that it was a miracle to find a musical partner who could help build a catalog with the greatest hard rock songs of all time. Randy Rhoads, a young Californian guitarist, was a key contributor to the success of Blizzard Of Ozz and later died tragically in an aircraft prank gone wrong in 1982.
Sadly, Ozzy Osbourne passed away in July 2025 at the age of 76. However, there are no available details in the search results about who accompanied him at the time of his death. Despite the end of an era, Ozzy's music continues to resonate, leaving an indelible mark on the world of heavy metal.
