


Legendary hard rocker Ozzy Osbourne, also known as the "Prince of Darkness," has died at the age of 76, his family confirmed, asking for privacy in their time of mourning.
In a statement read on Tuesday by SkyNews, the family confirmed reports that the original heavy metal frontman of Black Sabbath passed away surrounded by his family and loved ones.
"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," the statement read. "He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family's privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Amy, and Louis."
Osbourne's passing comes just weeks after he had reunited with his Black Sabbath bandmates for a huge farewell concert for fans in Birmingham, England.
MORE: As Black Sabbath Says Goodbye, Oasis Says Hello (Again)
John Michael Osbourn, nicknamed "Ozzy" in primary school, was born December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England.
The heavy metal godfather had a successful career with Black Sabbath as a founding member in 1967.
"When we started gigging way back when, as soon as we started playing this song's opening chords, young girls in the audience would [..] freak out," Osbourne told NME in 2016. "They thought we were Satan's [..] friends or something."
"That's when the whole 'Prince of Darkness' [..] started," he added of the nickname. "When people get excited about Halloween coming around each year, all I think is, 'Well, we used to have Halloween every [..] night."
In 1979, he was kicked out of the band for his repeated alcohol and drug abuse.
In his 2009 memoir "I Am Ozzy," the rocker wrote about being kicked out of the band, calling it a betrayal.
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel betrayed by what happened with Black Sabbath," Ozzy wrote. "We were four blokes who'd grown up together a few streets apart. We were like family, like brothers. And firing me for being [...] up was hypocritical [bull….] We were all [..] up."
"If you're stoned, and I'm stoned, and you're telling me that I'm fired because I'm stoned, how can that be? Because I'm slightly more stoned than you are?" he added.
However, his career was not over, and in the '80s, Osbourne took off on a solo career, making 12 solo albums that brought him more fame, with such hit songs as "Crazy Train" and "Diary of a Madman."
In 2002, that fame led to his surprise success as a reality star with the rest of his family, wife Sharon Osbourne, and their kids Kelly and Jack Osbourne, when MTV debuted "The Osbournes."
Obourne was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2020 and underwent numerous surgeries after suffering a fall which left him struggling to walk.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sharon, and their kids Jack, Kelly, and Aimee. He is also survived by three other children, Louis, Jessica, and Elliot Kingsely, from his previous relationships.
Not long after reports of his death surfaced online, tributes started surfacing on X to the legendary rocker.
"We're deeply saddened to learn that rock & roll icon Ozzy Osbourne, famously known as the Prince of Darkness, passed away this morning," MTV wrote. "Our hearts are with his family, loved ones, and many dedicated fans during this time. We know his legacy will live on through music-lovers around the world."
Rolling Stones guitarist and radio host Ronnie Wood expressed his sadness:
A cause of death has yet to be announced. This is a developing story. Check back with RedState for updates.