World pays tribute as Ozzy Osbourne dies age 76: “You were the greatest of all time”

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World pays tribute as Ozzy Osbourne dies age 76: “You were the greatest of all time”

Ozzy Osbourne, the frontman of Black Sabbath and one of the most legendary figures in rock music, has died at the age of 76.

A statement issued by his family confirmed on Tuesday (July 22) that Osbourne died “surrounded by love”.

The news comes just weeks after the band played their huge ‘Back To The Beginning’ farewell show at Villa Park in Birmingham, performing a rousing four-song set that concluded with Osbourne thanking the huge crowd by saying: “Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle, thank you from the bottom of our hearts”.

It was the first time that Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward had played alongside each other since 2005.

Osbourne also played a final solo show at the all-day event, playing the likes of ‘Crazy Train’ and ‘Mr. Crowley’, and told the crowd: “It’s so good to be on this fucking stage, you have no idea”.

The Prince Of Darkness had not played a full gig since 2018, and underwent multiple surgeries and experienced numerous health problems, including Parkinson’s disease in recent years.

‘Back To The Beginning’ boasted a star-studded line-up, including the likes of Guns N’ Roses, KoRn, Tool, Slayer, Pantera, Metallica, Alice In Chains, Gojira, Anthrax, and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler. The gig went on to become the highest-grossing charity concert of all time, bringing in just under £200million for good causes.

In an interview with The Guardian earlier this year, Osbourne looked ahead to playing the last Black Sabbath show in good health, saying: “I’ll be there, and I’ll do the best I can. All I can do is turn up.” He sat down for the duration of the performance.

He had told fans that he was “in heavy training” for the forthcoming farewell concert, and was back in the gym. Osbourne also said he would only be “doing little bits and pieces” with Sabbath at Villa Park amid his health problems: “I am doing what I can, where I feel comfortable.”

His wife and manager, Sharon, also told NME earlier this year that, although he “can’t walk” as a result of Parkinson’s, his illness “didn’t affect his voice”. “He wants to say thank you to everybody,” she explained to us at Villa Park. “He didn’t have that chance because of his illness, but now he does have the chance.”

It was recently revealed that a film documenting the ‘Back To The Beginning’ show will be released in cinemas in 2026. It is described as “a love letter to Ozzy and the pioneering sound of Black Sabbath” and “will be a distilled version of the epic all-day event held at Villa Park. Featuring thunderous performances of ‘War Pigs,’ ‘Iron Man,’ ‘Children of the Grave’ and a show-stopping ‘Paranoid,’ the film promises a deeply personal and electrifying farewell from the godfather of heavy metal with exclusive behind-the-scenes access and interviews from this iconic live performance.”

Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948 in Birmingham, he joined forces with Iommi, Butler and Ward in 1968, initially naming the band Earth, before switching to Black Sabbath the following year.

Osbourne’s distinctive vocal style and theatrical stage presence became hugely influential in rock and metal music, with Black Sabbath being largely considered one of the most important acts in the history of heavy metal.

He left the band in 1979 to pursue a solo career, and became known in later life for being at the centre of the MTV reality show The Osbournes, which saw him interacting with his wife Sharon and children Jack and Kelly.

Osbourne’s personal life and recreative activities were just as legendary as his on-stage life, with his drug use being a major factor in him leaving Sabbath. He famously snorted a line of ants to outdo Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx, and then licked the latter’s urine up off the ground, and was known for biting the head off a live bat and dove.

“Well, I can’t deny those stories because I probably did ‘em,” he told NME in 2020. “I was fucking crazy when I was doing all that shit – out of my mind – but what people didn’t see was the following morning when I’d wake up and go: ‘Oh My God!’

“I’m lucky to have a friend in the world, never mind a wife. I certainly lived the rock’n’roll lifestyle, but the music scene since those days has changed dramatically. For a start, none of us sell fucking records anymore.”

Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine, who was the artistic director of ‘Back To The Beginning’, has paid tribute, writing: “Good bless you Ozzy”.

Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones was another to make an appearance at ‘Back To The Beginning’. Writing on Instagram, he said: “I am so very sad to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne. What a lovely goodbye concert he had at Back To The Beginning in Birmingham.”

Elton John paid tribute, writing: “So sad to hear the news of @ozzyosbourne passing away. He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods – a true legend. He was also one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love.”

Yungblud, who performed at ‘Back To The Beginning’ and was personally gifted custom-made gold cross by Osbourne that day, 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 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.”

Jack White wrote simply: “He made it”.

Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day wrote: “No words. We love you Ozzy.”

See a range of other reactions to the news of Osbourne’s passing here:

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