Ozzy Osbourne, a legend in the world of heavy metal music, has passed away at the age of 76. according to a statement issued by his family per the New York Post via The Sun. "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."
Videos by Wide Open Country
Osbourne first went public with his Parkinson's disease diagnosis in 2020.
His Early Life Wasn't Easy
Osbourne, who acquired the nickname "Ozzy" as a child, reportedly dealt with dyslexia and sexual abuse from bullies as a youngster. He also allegedly said he tried to take his own life as a teenager. It was music that gave him a way out, however. Per the outlet, "Osbourne credited The Beatles and their 1964 song 'She Loves You' for inspiring him to pursue a music career."
He Helped Start The Band Black Sabbath
The band, which Osbourne helped to launch in 1967, was instrumental in the annals of heavy metal. They had smash hits like "Iron Man," "War Pigs," and "Paranoid." On the down side of their success, Black Sabbath drew negative reactions from some "for their music's dark and sometimes "satanic" themes."
According to the Post via NME, "When we started gigging way back when, as soon as we started playing this song's opening chords, young girls in the audience would f-king freak out. They thought we were Satan's f-king friends or something."
He added, "That's when the whole 'Prince of Darkness' s-t started. When people get excited about Halloween coming around each year, all I think is, 'Well, we used to have Halloween every f-king night.'"
Osbourne Was Let Go From The Band In 1979 Reportedly Due To His Substance Abuse
Osbourne wrote in his memoir, "I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel betrayed by what happened with Black Sabbath." He continued, "If you're stoned, and I'm stoned, and you're telling me that I'm fired because I'm stoned, how can that be? Because I'm slightly more stoned than you are?"
He Was Married Since 1982
Osbourne and his wife, Sharon, wed 43 years ago. They shared three children. He had two children from his previous marriage to Thelma Riley.
