John Michael Osbourne, better known as Ozzy Osbourne, was born on December 3, 1948, in the blue-collar neighborhood of Marston Green, Warwickshire, England. His early years were marked by hardship—growing up in a small council house in post-war industrial Britain, he faced challenges like dyslexia and frequent trouble with the law, even serving time for burglary as a teenager.
It was in the gritty pubs and garages of Birmingham that his destiny took shape. In 1968, he co-founded the band Black Sabbath alongside guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward. Their 1970 debut album, Black Sabbath, ushered in a new era of music, with ominous, powerful tracks like “Iron Man” and “Black Sabbath” laying the foundation for heavy metal. Their sound was shaped by horror, war, and Ozzy’s own inner demons.
Though the band’s success was explosive, so was Ozzy’s infamy. His outrageous behavior—like the infamous bat-biting incident and snorting ants with Mötley Crüe—earned him a reputation as rock’s ultimate wild man. After being dismissed from Black Sabbath in 1979 due to substance abuse, he launched a legendary solo career. His 1980 album Blizzard of Ozz, featuring tracks like “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley,” solidified his place in rock history, especially with the electrifying guitar work of Randy Rhoads, whose untimely death in a 1982 plane crash deeply affected Ozzy.
Despite the losses and struggles, Ozzy endured. With over 100 million albums sold and a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, his legacy is undeniable.
He is survived by Sharon, his wife and longtime manager of more than four decades, their children, and a global fanbase that continues to feel his impact. As fans pay tribute by blasting “No More Tears” and lighting candles, one truth remains: though the Prince of Darkness may be gone, his influence echoes endlessly through the annals of rock history.