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Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of British heavy metal band Black Sabbath, died Tuesday at age 76, his family said in a statement.
The singer, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, died just over two weeks after performing a farewell concert in his hometown of Birmingham, England..
“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,” the family said. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family’s privacy at this time.”
Osbourne was a central figure in the creation of heavy metal, helping drive Black Sabbath’s global success in the 1970s. Nicknamed the “Prince of Darkness,” he gained notoriety for his onstage antics, including the infamous moment when he bit the head off a bat during a concert.
Born John Michael Osbourne on Dec. 3, 1948, in Birmingham, he left school at 15 and worked a series of jobs before forming bands with school friend Geezer Butler. Together they co-founded Black Sabbath, which rose to become one of the most influential rock bands of all time.
Osbourne capped off his decades-long career earlier this month with an emotional performance at Villa Park, home of Premier League club Aston Villa. The band closed with “Paranoid,” their most iconic hit.
“It’s the last song ever. Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle... Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” Osbourne told the crowd.
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