The music world mourns the loss of Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary Black Sabbath frontman, who passed away on July 22, 2025, at age 76 after a battle with Parkinson’s disease. Surrounded by family in his native UK, Ozzy’s final wish—to return home—was fulfilled by his wife, Sharon Osbourne, culminating in a triumphant farewell concert that cemented his legacy as the Prince of Darkness. 🎸✨
A Heartfelt Homecoming
Born in Birmingham in 1948, Ozzy longed to return to the UK after decades in the US. Sharon, his steadfast partner and manager, made this dream a reality, relocating the couple to their Buckinghamshire home before Black Sabbath’s final concert, Back to the Beginning, on July 5, 2025, at Birmingham’s Villa Park. “He’s very happy to be coming back and very emotional about this,” Sharon told The Sun in February. Despite Parkinson’s affecting his mobility, Ozzy’s voice remained powerful, delivering a performance that raised $190 million (£140 million) for charity alongside Metallica, Pantera, Slayer, and Alice in Chains.
The concert, held near where Black Sabbath formed in 1968, reunited original members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and Ozzy for the first time since 2005. Sharon called Villa Park “the only place” for this goodbye, a celebration of the band’s music across generations, as she shared with Music Business Worldwide.
Ozzy’s Final Post
Just days before his passing, Ozzy shared a poignant, captionless Instagram post—a snapshot of the Back to the Beginning concert poster, featuring the classic Black Sabbath lineup in their 1970s heyday. The personal touch resonated with fans, who flooded the comments with tributes after his death. “Rest in peace – thank you for everything,” one wrote. Another added, “The Prince of Darkness Forever.” The post, distinct from promotional content for his upcoming film Back to the Beginning: Ozzy’s Final Bow (set for 2026), captured Ozzy’s emotional connection to his roots.
Tributes Pour In
The Osbourne family’s statement, released on July 22, expressed profound sadness: “Our beloved Ozzy Osbourne passed away this morning, with his family and surrounded by love.” Black Sabbath honored their frontman with an Instagram post, “Ozzy Forever,” alongside an image of him on his iconic stage throne. Tributes came from music icons like Elton John, Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood, who called the Birmingham concert “a lovely goodbye,” and Yungblud, who hailed Ozzy as “the greatest of all time.” Metallica shared a classic photo with a broken heart emoji, reflecting the industry’s grief.
A Legacy of Resilience
Ozzy’s journey, from Black Sabbath’s pioneering heavy metal sound to his The Osbournes reality TV fame, was marked by resilience despite health struggles. Sharon’s dedication ensured he returned to Birmingham for his final bow, fulfilling his wish to end where it all began. His death, confirmed by the BBC to have occurred in the UK, marked the close of a chapter for a legend whose music inspired generations.
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