The passing of Ozzy Osbourne, the “Prince of Darkness” and legendary figure from Black Sabbath and a towering solo artist, has cast a profound shadow over the music world. Osbourne passed away on Tuesday, July 22, at the age of 76, surrounded by his family.
Among the numerous heartfelt condolences, Bill Ward, the original drummer for Black Sabbath, issued a deeply personal statement reflecting on the loss of his long-time bandmate and friend. “Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls, no, you’re forever in my heart,” Ward wrote. He extended his “Deepest condolences to Sharon and all family members. RIP” and offered “Sincere regrets to all the fans. Never goodbye. Thank you forever. Bill Ward.”
Osbourne‘s family confirmed his death with a statement, expressing immense sadness: “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.”
The news comes just weeks after Osbourne made a momentous return to the stage in his hometown of Birmingham on July 5. This event, christened “Back To The Beginning,” was a historic reunion of the four founding members of Black Sabbath: Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward. It marked their first collective performance in nearly two decades. Despite ongoing health challenges, Osbourne, seated on a distinctive black, bat-winged throne, delivered a powerful five-song set to a sold-out Villa Park crowd, visibly moved by the fervent chanting of his fans.
Tony Iommi also voiced his profound grief shortly after the announcement. “I just can’t believe it! My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park,” Iommi shared. “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.”
Bassist Geezer Butler, Ozzy‘s oldest friend shared a very nostalgic message: “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.”
Osbourne’s life and career were marked by remarkable resilience in the face of significant health battles. A severe spinal injury from a 2019 fall necessitated multiple neck surgeries, and in 2020, he publicly announced his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease. These issues ultimately led to the cancellation of his planned 2023 farewell tour, as he declared he was “not physically capable” of the demands of touring. Nevertheless, his determination to perform one last time for his fans culminated in the triumphant “Back To The Beginning” show.
The immense impact of Ozzy Osbourne’s contributions to music was recognized through multiple inductions into the UK Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, both for his solo work and with Black Sabbath. He is survived by his wife Sharon, his five children, and numerous grandchildren, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy that fundamentally shaped the heavy metal genre and touched the lives of millions globally.
