Ozzy Osbourne, the frontman of Black Sabbath and one of the most legendary figures in rock music, has died at the age of 76.

A statement issued by his family confirmed on Tuesday (22 July) that Osbourne died “surrounded by love”.

The news comes just weeks after Black Sabbath played their ‘Back To The Beginning’ farewell show at Villa Park in Birmingham, performing an incredible four-song set that concluded with Osbourne thanking the sold out crowd by saying: “Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle, thank you from the bottom of our hearts”.

The crowd at Black Sabbath's farewell show at Villa Park, Birmingham. Credit: Tom Pallant (press)

Ozzy first departed Black Sabbath in 1978 to record a solo project Blizzard of Ozz, rejoining them a few months later only to be fired the next year. Ozzy Osbourne’s solo career properly began in 1980 with the eventual release of Blizzard of Ozz, which also became the name of his band. Ozzy Osbourne also invented Ozzfest, an annual festival in 1996, and after Black Sabbath were billed to play in 1997, he rejoined the band periodically until a proper reunion took place in 2011.

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

Ozzy Osbourne also branched out into reality television with the MTV show The Osbournes in 2002, and scored a UK Official Singles Chart Number 1 in 2003 with his daughter Kelly in a duet of Black Sabbath’s Changes.

Black Sabbath scored their first UK Official Album Chart Number 1 with 1970’s Paranoid and set a record for the longest gap between Number 1s when their 2013 comeback album 13 took the position some 43 years later. In 2019 the band were presented a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Rest in peace, the Prince of Darkness x

we’ll miss you 😔