Guardian

Ozzy Osbourne, the peoples Prince of Darkness, took heavy metal into the light

Vice

Black Sabbaths Geezer Butler Addresses Those Satanism Accusations

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Ozzy Osbourne, the frontman of the rock band Black Sabbath known as the "Prince of Darkness," died Tuesday morning at age 76, according to a family statement that said he "was with his family and surrounded by love."

BBC News

Ozzy Osbourne, the frontman of the rock band Black Sabbath known as the "Prince of Darkness," died Tuesday morning at age 76, according to a family statement that said he "was with his family and surrounded by love."

The heavy metal pioneer performed his final concert just three weeks before his death on July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, reuniting with original Black Sabbath members for the first time in 20 years during the "Back to the Beginning" farewell show.

The Independent

The Times

The heavy metal pioneer performed his final concert just three weeks before his death on July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, reuniting with original Black Sabbath members for the first time in 20 years during the "Back to the Beginning" farewell show.

Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham in 1948, he co-founded Black Sabbath in 1968 and was a pioneer in the heavy metal genre with iconic songs like "Iron Man," "Paranoid" and "War Pigs." Black Sabbath has sold over 75 million albums worldwide. Osbourne's career, however, was marked by numerous controversies, including biting the heads off animals during his concerts and several arrests. He stated that he had shot 17 cats during one incident when he was struggling with addiction.

The New York Times

Sky News

Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham in 1948, he co-founded Black Sabbath in 1968 and was a pioneer in the heavy metal genre with iconic songs like "Iron Man," "Paranoid" and "War Pigs." Black Sabbath has sold over 75 million albums worldwide. Osbourne's career, however, was marked by numerous controversies, including biting the heads off animals during his concerts and several arrests. He stated that he had shot 17 cats during one incident when he was struggling with addiction.

Osbourne had battled Parkinson's disease and a struggle with substance abuse, along with numerous health issues, including spinal injuries from a 2003 quad-bike accident and a 2019 fall that required multiple surgeries and limited his mobility in recent years.

FOX News

Osbourne had battled Parkinson's disease and a struggle with substance abuse, along with numerous health issues, including spinal injuries from a 2003 quad-bike accident and a 2019 fall that required multiple surgeries and limited his mobility in recent years.

The rock icon gained renewed fame through MTV's reality show "The Osbournes" from 2002-2005, which featured his family life with wife Sharon and children Kelly and Jack, transforming him from metal legend to mainstream television star. The band refuted claims of Satanism as being a misinterpretation about losing one's faith.

the Guardian

Far Out magazine

The rock icon gained renewed fame through MTV's reality show "The Osbournes" from 2002-2005, which featured his family life with wife Sharon and children Kelly and Jack, transforming him from metal legend to mainstream television star. The band refuted claims of Satanism as being a misinterpretation about losing one's faith.

Tributes poured in from music legends, including Metallica, who posted a photo with a broken heart emoji, Elton John calling him a "dear friend and huge trailblazer," and Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood praising his "lovely goodbye concert."

telegraph.co.uk

Tributes poured in from music legends, including Metallica, who posted a photo with a broken heart emoji, Elton John calling him a "dear friend and huge trailblazer," and Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood praising his "lovely goodbye concert."

Guardian #0

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The Independent #

The Times #

Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham in 1948, he co-founded Black Sabbath in 1968 and was a pioneer in the heavy metal genre with iconic songs like "Iron Man," "Paranoid" and "War Pigs." Black Sabbath has sold over 75 million albums worldwide. Osbourne's career, however, was marked by numerous controversies, including biting the heads off animals during his concerts and several arrests.

The New York Times #

Sky News #

Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham in 1948, he co-founded Black Sabbath in 1968 and was a pioneer in the heavy metal genre with iconic songs like "Iron Man," "Paranoid" and "War Pigs." Black Sabbath has sold over 75 million albums worldwide. Osbourne's career, however, was marked by numerous controversies, including biting the heads off animals during his concerts and several arrests.

FOX News #

the Guardian #

Far Out magazine #

telegraph.co.uk #

Ozzy Osbourne’s likability — his humor, authenticity, and raw talent — made him a metal icon, but his reckless antics, from biting bats to substance abuse, often overshadowed his musical genius. Fellow musicians saw him as unprofessional or talentless, and his controversies alienated peers. His performative chaos, while iconic, disgraced his legacy for many.

Ozzy Osbourne’s likability — his humor, authenticity, and raw talent — made him a metal icon, but his reckless antics, from biting bats to substance abuse, often overshadowed his musical genius. Fellow musicians saw him as unprofessional or talentless, and his controversies alienated peers. His performative chaos, while iconic, disgraced his legacy for many.

Five Musicians Who Hate Ozzy Osbourne

From a troubled youth marked by dyslexia, abuse, and criminality, Ozzy Osbourne rose to define heavy metal. His raw, haunting voice and everyman charisma connected with millions, making him a cultural icon. Solo success, driven by Sharon's vision and Randy Rhoads' genius, cemented his legacy.

From a troubled youth marked by dyslexia, abuse, and criminality, Ozzy Osbourne rose to define heavy metal. His raw, haunting voice and everyman charisma connected with millions, making him a cultural icon. Solo success, driven by Sharon's vision and Randy Rhoads' genius, cemented his legacy.

Guardian #

Ozzy Osbourne Passes Away at 76

Harry How/Getty Images

Ozzy Osbourne Passes Away at 76

Entertainment

Social conditions & trends

United Kingdom

While Ozzy Osbourne's talent and innovation made him a metal icon, his notorious and often cruel antics — from biting bats and massacring cats to substance abuse — cast a shadow over his musical genius. Fellow musicians saw him as unprofessional or talentless, and his controversies alienated peers. His performative chaos and the darkness that continued beyond his music, while iconic, disgraced his legacy for many. Osbourne's existence beyond music carried over the darker aspects of his performative life.

While Ozzy Osbourne's talent and innovation made him a metal icon, his notorious and often cruel antics — from biting bats and massacring cats to substance abuse — cast a shadow over his musical genius. Fellow musicians saw him as unprofessional or talentless, and his controversies alienated peers. His performative chaos and the darkness that continued beyond his music, while iconic, disgraced his legacy for many. Osbourne's existence beyond music carried over the darker aspects of his performative life.

Ozzy Osbourne Passes Away at 76

Ozzy Osbourne Passes Away at 76

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Ozzy Osbourne Passes Away at 76

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