Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy Osbourne (December 3, 1948 – July 22, 2025), the iconic "Prince of Darkness," reigned as one of heavy metals most influential figures. Co-founding Black Sabbath in 1968, he spearheaded the bands meteoric rise through the 1970s, delivering powerhouse vocals on seminal albums like Black Sabbath, Paranoid, and Master of Reality. His tumultuous tenure, however, ended in 1979 amidst struggles with substance abuse.

Launching a wildly successful solo career in the 1980s, Osbourne, alongside Randy Rhoads and Bob Daisley, crafted classics like Blizzard of Oz and Diary of a Madman. His outrageous stage presence and offstage antics fueled controversy, with accusations of Satanism from religious groups adding to his legendary status. He released thirteen platinum-selling solo albums, seven achieving multi-platinum status in the US alone.

Osbournes relationship with Black Sabbath remained complex. He rejoined the band in 1997, remaining until 2005, and again in 2012, contributing vocals to their final studio album, *13* (2013), before embarking on a farewell tour concluding in 2017. His final performance, on July 5, 2025, at Birminghams "Back to the Beginning" concert, marked a poignant end to a career that irrevocably shaped the landscape of heavy metal.