22/07/2025
Iconic singer and songwriter Ozzy Osbourne has died aged 76.
Described as one of the founders of heavy metal music, John Michael Osbourne, or the "Prince of Darkness", was known for his incredible voice, charisma and wild lifestyle.
He is outlived by his wife Sharon and his five children: Jessica, Louis, Aimee, Kelly and Jack.
Through the television show The Osbournes, Ozzy and his family became some of the first reality TV stars across the globe.
He has sold over 100 million albums through his solo work and Black Sabbath releases.
The singer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame first as a member of Black Sabbath in 2006 and then again as a solo artist in 2024.
He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Ozzy lived a life that not many could. It was filled with drugs, booze and rock 'n' roll.
"It was my fate to be who I am and what I am. I've just been myself."
He joined up with future Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler in 1967 for his first vocalist gig in music.
Butler and Ozzy's first attempt at a band, Rare Breed, lasted only two shows.
But after recruiting guitarist Tony Iommi and drummer Bill Ward, and a name change, the group shifted to become Black Sabbath.
The band's first show as Black Sabbath was in August 1969 in Workington, England and it was there the Prince of Darkness was born.
Despite being untrained as a singer, Ozzy had a voice that stood out and he had the energy and wildness to make him a top-level frontman.
"Nobody else in the world f***ing sounds like me," he said when looking back on his career in 2008.
Rarely does one band pave the way for an entire genre, but Black Sabbath did just that and their influence remains just as strong today as it did in the 70's.
Ozzy's vocal range and incredible skill was a crucial part of what made the band so successful.
Black Sabbath's music featured during the Jukebox show often, particularly during the History of Rock n Roll special.
