Ozzy Osbourne, hailed as the Prince of Darkness and the king of heavy metal, passed away on July 22, 2025. From his groundbreaking work with Black Sabbath to his successful solo career and wild personal life, Ozzy left an indelible mark on music history. Let's revisit his remarkable journey through his unforgettable songs.
Who Was Ozzy Osbourne?
The Innovator of the Black Sabbath Era: The man who laid the foundation of heavy metal.
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. He was with his family and surrounded by love.
— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) July 22, 2025
We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.
Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and… pic.twitter.com/WLJhOrMsDF
Ozzy Osbourne made his debut in the music world as the frontman of the rock bandBlack Sabbathformed in Birmingham, West Midlands, England.
The band name Black Sabbath was taken from the horror movie BLACK SABBATH directed by Mario Bava (Japanese title: ブラック・サバス/恐怖！三つの顔). According to Ozzy Osbourne, there were long lines at theaters when the movie premiered, and it sparked the idea that “people crave fear.”
Black Sabbath’s debut album, Black Sabbath, was self-financed and released on Friday the 13th in February 1970. With its unusually heavy and eerie sound for the time and lyrics exploring themes of demons and fear, it caused a major shock upon release.
This style would later be remembered as theorigin of heavy metal,influencing genres beyond metal itself—such as doom and grunge. In particular, Ozzy’s distinctive high-pitched tone and slightly unstable vocals left a strong impression of his charisma.
“Without Black Sabbath, there would be no Metallica or Slipknot,”many musicians have said.
Influence on Pop Culture: From legendary collaborations with guitar gods to his outrageous behavior.
In 1979, Ozzy left Black Sabbath and launched his solo career. Around this time, he began working with the guitar god Randy Rhoads, who would later be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Their first collaborative solo album, Blizzard of Ozz, received widespread acclaim from critics and fans alike, and has become a heavy metal classic.
The second track, “Crazy Train,” is a legendary song that helped bridge metal into the pop field. It marked a turning point that secured Ozzy’s place in rock history.
At the same time, Ozzy's outrageous acts—such as the infamous bat-biting incident and his struggles with alcohol and drug addiction—also drew attention. Yet, even those became accepted as part of his unconventional charm.
The infamous “bat-biting incident” refers to the time Ozzy bit off the head of a bat thrown onstage, believing it to be a fake. Because bats can carry rabies, he was rushed to the hospital and continued touring for months afterward, receiving daily injections all over his body.
Ozzy also had roles as an actor, appearing in productions such as the comic film Private Parts, the comedy Little Nicky, and the musical-infused The Rainbow.
▶︎Watch Ozzy’s appearances on Prime Video
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Influence on Pop Culture: A pioneer of MTV and reality television.
In 2002, MTV launched the reality show The Osbournes, which followed Ozzy’s daily life with his family. His portrayal as a stumbling, lovable dad and the family’s chaotic dynamic captured viewers' hearts, establishing Ozzy as the epitome of the “wild but beloved rock star.”
This show became the prototype for many laterreality programs,such as Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and grew into an iconic presence on MTV. Ozzy’s uniqueness lies in how he transcended the music scene to remain a lasting cultural icon.
It could be said that this was the moment that defined the modern-day Ozzy. In fact, U.S. media such as Rolling Stone have frequently highlighted its significance.
Signature Songs: The sounds that colored his extraordinary life.
Ozzy Osbourne’s music goes far beyond heavy metal—it has sung of hope, loneliness, and even madness. From his vast body of work, we’ve selected a collection of unforgettable tracks that left a lasting impression.
- Crazy Train / Ozzy Osbourne
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One of Ozzy’s most iconic songs. Thatguitar riff-driven intronever fails to pump you up, no matter how many times you hear it!
- Sabbath Bloody Sabbath / Black Sabbath
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It begins with a heavy intro, but halfway through, it shifts into a beautifully dreamlike section. This contrast is striking—like a structure that makes you feel as though you're drifting betweenreality and illusion.Utterly captivating.
- No More Tears / Ozzy Osbourne
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Heavy guitars typical of metal and a melody tinged with sorrow. The bouncing bassline creates an addictive quality—a groovy masterpiece.
- Dreamer / Ozzy Osbourne
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A piano-driven ballad often said to be Ozzy’s tribute to“Imagine” by John Lennon.From the very first listen, it has a Lennon-esque feel, making it easy to understand Ozzy’s deep admiration as a devoted Beatles fan. A song that reveals a new side of Ozzy, distinct from his Black Sabbath days.
- Paranoid / Black Sabbath
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A spontaneous masterpiecethat changed the course of rock history in just two minutes.It was written in a matter of minutes by guitarist Tony Iommi after being told the album needed one more song. The addictive riff, the high-speed drive, and Ozzy’s almost-screaming vocals shattered the image of Black Sabbath as merely “dark and heavy.”
- Mama, I’m Coming Home / Ozzy Osbourne
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A tender ballad—the gentlest in Ozzy’s entire career—sung with the voice of the devil.The warmth and melancholy of this track stand in complete contrast to the madness of Black Sabbath. Written as Ozzy thought of “home” while living apart from his family on tour, it’s a song full of longing. Every time Ozzy softly calls out “Mama,” the affection in his gruff voice is utterly moving.
▼Here’s a playlist of the songs featured in this article 🎧
Tributes from Artists Around the World - Messages of mourning and respect from musicians across the globe.
The sudden news of his passing has cast a deep shadow over the music world. Artists from around the globe have shared heartfelt messages mourning his death through social media and other platforms. Here are a few of those tributes.
Black Sabbath
“Ozzy’s passing has taken away a part of my life. He was one of a kind. The time we shared—on stage and off—was truly invaluable.”
—Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath / Guitar)
“Farewell, my dear friend—thank you for all the years. Through good times and bad, we had a blast. I’m so glad the four lads from Aston got to share the stage one last time. I love you.”
—Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath / Bass)
“You will always be a part of me. My deepest condolences to Sharon and the entire family. Rest peacefully, forever. To the fans as well, my heartfelt sympathy. This isn’t goodbye—it’s thank you, forever.”
—Bill Ward (Black Sabbath / Drums)
Reflections from the heirs of Sabbath on their father figure in heavy metal.
“Ozzy paved the way for us. That voice, that charisma—everything about him was absolutely unique. Without him, there might never have been a Metallica.”
—James Hetfield (Metallica)
“You made it possible for us to start a band. The sound of Sabbath that I devoured as a kid still lives inside me. Thank you, Ozzy.”
—Lars Ulrich (Metallica)
“Even across different genres, Ozzy’s presence was enormous for every metal band. We all made music in the shadow of his influence. Rest in peace.”
—Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden)
“To me, ‘heavy metal’ means Ozzy. His way of life, his sound, and his madness gripped my heart and never let go. Thank you—I’ll love you forever.”
—Corey Taylor (Slipknot)
“I’m beyond shocked. I’ll miss his humor, his presence, and his music. I’m proud to have lived in the same era as him.”
—Gene Simmons (KISS)
“Without Sabbath, there would be no Slayer. Ozzy was our guiding light. Thank you, and rest in peace.”
—Tom Araya (Slayer)
“The whole world will miss Ozzy’s presence and his fearless talent.”
—Brian May (Queen / Guitar)
In Conclusion: Ozzy’s music will live on forever.
Ozzy Osbourne's music transcended the boundaries of heavy metal and left a deep imprint on the hearts of countless people. His distinctive voice, vocal style, lyrics, and stage presence have continued to inspire artists and fans across generations.
While Ozzy’s life was full of turmoil and outrageous episodes, all of it became part of what made him truly one of a kind. The passion and soul he poured into his music continue to live on around the world, and that legacy will never fade.
When I first encountered Ozzy, I was shocked—I thought he was a bizarre character. But now, looking back on his journey, I truly realize the greatness of what he left behind. His influence will continue through the generations: from the artists directly impacted by him, to those inspired by their successors, Ozzy’s presence will echo endlessly.
Ozzy Osbourne laid the foundation of heavy metal. His legacy is etched into the history of music and will go on resonating in the hearts of many. His music and spirit will live on forever within us. With heartfelt gratitude, we wish him eternal peace.
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JA