The legendary Black Sabbath frontman died ‘surrounded by love’ at the age of 76 on Tuesday (July 22) morning, his grieving family confirmed in a statement.
The ‘Prince of Darkness’ founded the heavy metal band in 1968, which went on to shape the genre and inspire generations of bands, leaving behind an unmatched cultural legacy.
Tragically, Ozzy had been battling Parkinson’s disease since 2019 as well as spinal chord injuries, but was able to bid farewell to his loyal fans just weeks ago at the ‘Back to the Beginning’ benefit gig in his hometown, Birmingham, UK on July 5.
It was the first time the ‘Prince of Darkness’ returned to the stage alongside his original bandmates in 20 years where due to his ongoing health issues, sang to the masses while seated on a throne.
Ozzy struggled with his health for years (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Fans understood it was to be his final live performance, but could not have prepared for Ozzy to pass a little over a fortnight later.
While the world mourns the loss of the rock icon, an interview from back in 2022 has resurfaced where Ozzy revealed how he wanted to be remembered.
Speaking to PEOPLE, he said at the time: “Survival is my legacy.”
The five-time Grammy winner continued: “I mean, I’m 73. People go, ‘Well, you’re 70… why don’t I throw the towel in?’ Why should I? People still want to buy my records. People still want to see me, so why should I? It motivates me to get off my backside and do something. I mean, if my career had gone down the toilet and I knew it was the end, I’d be pretty miserable.”
The vocalist revealed he would be pleased with just ‘being remembered’ (Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images)
As for advice for others, he said to ‘never give up’ on your dreams.
“If you’ve got a passion for something, you’ve got to find a way around it to carry on the passion,” he added.
He also told The Guardian in 2018 that being remembered at all would mean so much to him.
“I’d like to be remembered for the work I did with Black Sabbath. I’m so proud of the music. But to be honest, just being remembered would be an achievement to me.
“I come from Aston in Birmingham, y’know? I used to play on bombsites… There’s a guy living in the house I grew up in, and they charge people £200 to sleep in the bedroom I had as a kid.”
The Osbourne family also starred in their own reality TV series in the 2000s (Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
Announcing his death, Ozzy’s family which includes his wife, Sharon Osbourne, said in a statement: “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’s privacy at this time.”
Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, who helped organize Ozzy’s last hurrah, revealed the ‘Back to the Beginning’ benefit concert raised more than $190 million for Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice.
“You’ve no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Ozzy told delighted concert-goers at the end of the monumental gig.
He leaves behind his wife, Sharon, and their children, Aimee, Kelly and Jack. He is also survived by Jessica and Louis, from his first marriage to Thelma Riley, as well as his grandchildren.
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Kevin Mazur
Topics: Ozzy Osbourne, Music, Celebrity, UK News, World News, Sharon Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne revealed his funeral plans prior to his death at the age of 76.
Ozzy passed away earlier this week, with his family confirming his death in a touching statement.
It read: “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.”
Back in 2019, Ozzy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which is a progressive, neurological condition in which different areas of the brain become damaged over time.
While Ozzy’s funeral plans have not yet been released, he once explained that he didn’t want the occasion to be sad.
The family confirmed that Ozzy Osbourne passed away earlier this week (Harry How/Getty Images)
“There’ll be no harping on the bad times,” he wrote in a column for The Times back in 2011 when a fan wrote in asking about planning his own funeral.
“It’s worth remembering that a lot of people see nothing but misery their whole lives, so by any measure, most of us in this country – especially rock stars like me – are very lucky.
“That’s why I don’t want my funeral to be sad, I want it to be a time to say ‘Thanks’.”
Ozzy also said he didn’t care what music they played, adding: “I honestly don’t care what they play at my funeral; they can put on a medley of Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle, and We Are the Diddymen if it makes ’em happy.”
Although, in a later interview with NME, Ozzy explained he would choose ‘A Day In The Life’ by The Beatles.
Sharon planned a touching tribute for Ozzy prior to his death (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
He added: “I really need a few more years to think this over, but probably something from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band or Revolver.
“I definitely don’t want my f**king greatest hits album – I never ever play that thing, I’m f**king embarrassed about it. And I definitely don’t want a f**king happy song – I’m dead.”
Ozzy leaves behind his wife, Sharon, and their children, Aimee, Kelly and Jack. He is also survived by Jessica and Louis, from his first marriage to Thelma Riley, as well as his grandchildren.
Prior to his passing, Sharon organized for Ozzy to return to his home town in the UK for the Back to the Beginning benefit concert, where he performed alongside Black Sabbath, raising $189 million for charity.
The family shared a heartfelt statement (Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
“The only place that we could do it would have been Aston, because that’s where Ozzy was born and grew up, which is right where the Villa ground is,” Sharon told Music Business Worldwide.
“I thought of having all the bands he’s ever had relationships with perform and maybe do Sabbath songs and Ozzy songs. It became a celebration of the music.
“All the generations are going to be there that Sabbath and Ozzy have passed the torch down to.”
After performing at the concert, Ozzy told fans: “You’ve no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Mitch Haaseth
