Ozzy Osbourne, The Prince of Darkness, Dies at 76 After Battling a Rare Form of Parkinson's
The world of music has lost a legend. British rock icon, Ozzy Osbourne, known as the Prince of Darkness, died on July 22 at the age of 76 after battling a rare form of Parkinson's disease known as PRKN-2. His death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from celebrities, musicians, and fans across the globe.
A Life in Music
Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, Ozzy rose to fame as the lead singer of the pioneering band, Black Sabbath, which he formed in 1968 with Tony Iommi, Terence 'Geezer' Butler, and Bill Ward. As per the reports from Fox News, he had been open about his health issues for several years, revealing his diagnosis during an appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America
in 2019.
A Farewell to the Stage
Despite his health complications, Osbourne continued to perform and just weeks before his death, he took to the stage one last time for Black Sabbath's Back to the Beginning
performance on July 5 in Birmingham, England. Folha de S.Paulo reported that this farewell show was attended by 40,000 fans and was supported by a star-studded lineup of rock legends influenced by the founders of heavy metal.
Tributes Pour In
Following the news of his death, there was an outpouring of tributes from stars and fans worldwide. Elton John, Ronnie Wood, Rod Stewart, and members of Black Sabbath were among the celebrities and music industry figures who paid tribute to Osbourne. There won’t ever be another like him,
said Tony Iommi, one of Osbourne's Black Sabbath bandmates, as reported by The Guardian.
In addition to the music industry, the sports world also mourned the loss of the legendary Black Sabbath frontman. The New England Patriots, who used Osbourne's Crazy Train
as the intro for their home games for over 20 years, expressed their condolences.
Legacy of the Prince of Darkness
Osbourne's influence on the music industry was as immense as his personality. He was known as much for his indelible mark on the music industry as he was for his larger-than-life personality, be it on stage or in front of a camera while filming the massively successful reality show, The Osbournes.
His death marks the end of an era. As The New York Times noted, Osbourne and Black Sabbath pioneered a horror-inspired heavy metal look that offered an alternative to the colorful tie-dye of the hippies and laid the foundation for future generations of rockers.
Mourning in Birmingham
In Birmingham, England, Osbourne's hometown, fans paid tribute by leaving flowers, beer, and tequila. The rapper Drake was also there to pay his respects. Osbourne leaves behind an enduring legacy that will continue to influence the world of music for years to come.