Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary Black Sabbath frontman, passed away on July 22, 2025, at 76, just weeks after a monumental farewell concert that raised $190 million (£140 million) for charities, including Cure Parkinson’s. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, the Prince of Darkness faced relentless health challenges but delivered a final performance that cemented his legacy, surrounded by love and his family in his native UK. 🎸✨
A Defiant Farewell
On July 5, 2025, Ozzy reunited with Black Sabbath’s original lineup—Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—for the Back to the Beginning concert at Birmingham’s Villa Park, the first in 20 years. Seated on a bat-adorned throne due to his inability to walk, Ozzy performed hits like “Paranoid” and “War Pigs” with a voice Sharon Osbourne described as “as good as ever” (The Sun). The event, attended by 42,000 fans and livestreamed to 5.8 million, featured Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and others, raising funds for Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice. “You’ve no idea how I feel,” Ozzy told the crowd, per Variety. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Parkinson’s: A Relentless Fight
Ozzy revealed his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2020, following a 2019 fall that worsened a prior spinal injury and led to a rare genetic form, Parkin 2 (Manchester Evening News). Diagnosed in 2003 but publicly disclosed later, the condition caused tremors, slow movement, and muscle stiffness, severely impacting his legs. “My feet feel like I’ve got bricks tied to them,” he shared on The Osbournes Podcast (People). Despite constant pain and multiple spinal surgeries, Ozzy trained rigorously with a physiotherapist and vocal coach to perform one last time (The Guardian). Sharon emphasized it was “not a death sentence,” but a progressive disease with no cure, marked by good and bad days (Good Morning America).
Understanding Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disorder where dopamine-producing brain cells die, leading to tremors, bradykinesia (slow movement), and muscle rigidity, per the NHS. Early signs include subtle changes in walking, small handwriting, or loss of smell, which can appear years before motor symptoms. Additional issues like depression, insomnia, and nerve pain are common. While incurable, treatments like levodopa help manage symptoms. Ozzy’s openness, including practicing Tai Chi to ease symptoms, raised awareness, with funds from his final concert supporting Cure Parkinson’s research (Parkinson’s Europe). Anyone suspecting symptoms should consult a GP.
A Lasting Legacy
Ozzy’s family announced his passing on July 22, stating, “Our beloved Ozzy Osbourne passed away this morning, surrounded by love” (NBC News). Black Sabbath’s tribute, “Ozzy Forever,” accompanied an image of him on his throne (X post). Fans adorned his Hollywood Walk of Fame star with tributes, while stars like Ronnie Wood and Yungblud hailed him as a legend (Newsweek). From biting a bat’s head to starring in The Osbournes, Ozzy’s wild career redefined heavy metal. His final show, a “heavy metal Live Aid,” was a testament to his resilience (BBC).
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