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Obituary: Ozzy Osbourne (1948–2025)
Below is a detailed obituary for Ozzy Osbourne, tailored to your specifications. Due to the 5000-word constraint, I’ve balanced comprehensive coverage with conciseness, focusing on key aspects of his life, career, and legacy. I’ve incorporated the requested elements—date of birth, relationships, family, decade-by-decade breakdown, awards, record labels, fun facts, top songs and albums, major incidents, band members, famous fans, and more—while adhering to the provided guidelines. Note that exact sales figures for individual songs are often unavailable or inconsistent, so I’ve used available data and industry estimates for rankings. I’ve avoided inventing information and ensured factual accuracy based on the provided references and general knowledge.
Obituary: Ozzy Osbourne (1948–2025)
Obituary: Ozzy Osbourne (1948–2025)
John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne, the legendary “Prince of Darkness,” passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76, surrounded by his family and enveloped in love, as announced by his family. Born on December 3, 1948, in Aston, Birmingham, England, Osbourne rose from humble beginnings to become a pioneering force in heavy metal music, both as the frontman of Black Sabbath and as a solo artist. His theatrical stage presence, raw vocal style, and unapologetic persona made him one of rock’s most enduring icons. Over a career spanning more than five decades, Osbourne sold over 100 million albums, earned multiple Grammy Awards, and left an indelible mark on music and pop culture. This obituary celebrates his extraordinary life, detailing his family, relationships, career highs and lows, awards, and lasting legacy.
Early Life and Family
Ozzy Osbourne was born to John Thomas Osbourne, a toolmaker, and Lillian Osbourne, a factory worker, in a working-class family in Birmingham. The fourth of six children—sisters Jean, Iris, and Gillian, and brothers Paul and Tony—Osbourne grew up in a small two-bedroom house in Aston, facing poverty and a challenging family dynamic. He left school at 15, taking odd jobs as a plumber, butcher, and factory worker, before briefly turning to petty crime, which led to a three-month prison stint for burglary at age 17. His early struggles shaped his rebellious spirit, which later defined his music.
Osbourne’s family life was complex. He married Thelma Riley in 1971, becoming a stepfather to her son Elliot Kingsley and fathering two children, Jessica (b. 1972) and Louis (b. 1975). His marriage to Thelma was strained by his drug and alcohol abuse, and they divorced in 1982. Osbourne later admitted it was “a terrible mistake,” citing his absence due to touring and substance issues. In 1979, he began a relationship with Sharon Arden, daughter of Black Sabbath’s manager Don Arden, who became his manager and wife in 1982. Together, they had three children: Aimee (b. 1983), Kelly (b. 1984), and Jack (b. 1985). Sharon played a pivotal role in reviving his career and managing his solo endeavors, though their marriage faced significant challenges, including a 1989 incident where Osbourne, under the influence, attempted to strangle her. Despite this and a 2016 separation due to his infidelity, they reconciled, renewing their vows in 2017. Osbourne is survived by Sharon, his five children, and several grandchildren.
Relationships and Personal Life
Osbourne’s relationships were often tumultuous, shaped by his rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle. His first marriage to Thelma Riley suffered from his frequent absences and substance abuse, leading to an erratic childhood for Jessica and Louis, who noted he was a great father when sober but often absent. His relationship with Sharon was both a professional and personal cornerstone. Meeting in 1970 through her father, Sharon took over as his manager after his 1979 dismissal from Black Sabbath. Their romance began while he was still married, and their 1982 marriage endured despite numerous trials, including domestic violence, infidelity, and health struggles. Sharon’s resilience and management skills were instrumental in Osbourne’s solo success, and their chaotic family life was famously documented in MTV’s The Osbournes (2002–2005), which showcased their warmth and dysfunction. Aimee opted out of the show, maintaining a lower profile, while Kelly and Jack became media personalities.
Osbourne’s battles with addiction and health issues, including a 2019 Parkinson’s diagnosis and injuries from a 2003 quad bike accident and 2019 fall, tested his relationships but also highlighted his family’s support. Sharon, a constant advocate, managed his career through Ozzfest and other ventures, cementing their partnership as one of rock’s most enduring.
Career: Decade-by-Decade Breakdown
1960s: The Birth of Black Sabbath
Osbourne’s musical journey began in 1968 when he responded to a flyer seeking a singer, connecting with guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward to form the band Earth, later renamed Black Sabbath. Their self-titled debut album in 1970, released on Philips Records (UK) and Warner Bros. (US), introduced a dark, heavy sound that defined heavy metal. Tracks like “Black Sabbath” and “N.I.B.” set the stage for their success.
1970s: Black Sabbath’s Rise and Fall
The 1970s saw Black Sabbath release seminal albums: Paranoid (1970), Master of Reality (1971), Vol. 4 (1972), Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973), Sabotage (1975), Technical Ecstasy (1976), and Never Say Die! (1978). Hits like “Paranoid,” “Iron Man,” and “War Pigs” became anthems, with Paranoid topping UK charts and reaching No. 12 in the US. However, Osbourne’s drug and alcohol abuse strained band relationships, leading to his firing in 1979 after a tumultuous tour and personal conflicts with Iommi and Butler.
1980s: Solo Stardom and Controversy
Post-Black Sabbath, Sharon Osbourne guided Ozzy to a solo career, assembling a band with guitarist Randy Rhoads, bassist Bob Daisley, and drummer Lee Kerslake. Blizzard of Ozz (1980) and Diary of a Madman (1981), released on Jet Records, were massive successes, with hits like “Crazy Train” and “Flying High Again.” Rhoads’ death in a 1982 plane crash was a devastating blow, but Osbourne continued with albums like Bark at the Moon (1983), The Ultimate Sin (1986), and No Rest for the Wicked (1988), featuring guitarist Zakk Wylde. Notable incidents included biting the head off a dove in 1981, urinating on the Alamo Cenotaph in 1982 (resulting in a decade-long ban from San Antonio), and attempting to strangle Sharon in 1989.
1990s: Continued Success and Ozzfest
The 1990s saw Osbourne release No More Tears (1991), featuring hits like “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” and Ozzmosis (1995), both on Epic Records. He won a Grammy for “I Don’t Want to Change the World” (1994) and launched Ozzfest in 1996, a festival managed by Sharon that became a heavy metal staple. He rejoined Black Sabbath in 1997, performing at Ozzfest and releasing The Ozzman Cometh compilation.
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2000s: Reality TV and Black Sabbath Reunion
The Osbournes (2002–2005) made Osbourne a household name, winning an Emmy in 2002. Albums like Down to Earth (2001), Black Rain (2007), and Scream (2010) kept his solo career strong. A 2003 quad bike accident caused serious injuries, and health issues persisted, but he performed at the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002 and rejoined Black Sabbath for tours.
2010s: Health Struggles and Final Tours
Osbourne recorded Black Sabbath’s 13 (2013), their final studio album, and embarked on a farewell tour ending in Birmingham in 2017. His solo album Ordinary Man (2020) featured collaborations with Post Malone and others. A 2019 fall and Parkinson’s diagnosis limited his touring, but he performed sporadically, including at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
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