Ozzy Osbourne, Heavy Metal’s “Prince of Darkness,” Dies at 76 — Lita Ford Remembers Their Haunting Duet

Los Angeles, CA — Ozzy Osbourne, the trailblazing rock icon whose chilling voice and rebellious soul defined generations of heavy metal fans, has died. He was 76.

The legendary frontman of Black Sabbath and beloved solo artist passed away peacefully at his home in England on July 22, 2025, surrounded by his family. His wife Sharon Osbourne and children, including Kelly and Jack, were by his side in his final moments. No official cause of death has been publicly released, though he had been battling Parkinson’s disease and other health complications for years.

Osbourne’s family shared a heartfelt statement:

“Ozzy was a warrior to the end — a loving father, a devoted husband, and the voice of a movement that gave strength to the misfits, the rebels, and the brokenhearted. We are heartbroken but grateful for the time we shared with him. His music will never die.”

A Voice From the Shadows That Changed Rock Forever

Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham, England, in 1949, Ozzy rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential figures in music history. As the founding voice of Black Sabbath, he helped pioneer the genre of heavy metal with a dark, hypnotic sound and lyrics that explored fear, war, addiction, and the human condition.

Albums like Paranoid, Master of Reality, and Vol. 4 cemented the band’s place in rock history, with Ozzy’s vocals as the emotional core. After being fired from the band in 1979, he defied expectations with a solo career that included classics like Crazy Train, Mr. Crowley, and Mama, I’m Coming Home.

Through controversy and reinvention, Ozzy remained unmatched in authenticity and connection with his fans.

Lita Ford Recalls “Close My Eyes Forever”: A Song That Now Haunts in Tribute

Among the most beloved moments of Osbourne’s career was his 1989 duet with Lita Ford, Close My Eyes Forever. The brooding ballad, recorded unexpectedly during a late-night studio session, has taken on new meaning in the wake of his passing.

“We never meant to write a hit,” Ford said in an emotional tribute. “We were just two broken souls talking through music. Ozzy poured everything into that song — the pain, the fear, the beauty. And now, hearing it again… it’s like he’s saying goodbye.”

The song remains one of the most iconic duets in rock history — and a chilling, poetic goodbye from a man who often sang about mortality, shadows, and the afterlife.

His Final Farewell: One Last Stage, One Last Bow

Just weeks before his death, Osbourne gave fans one final gift — a surprise farewell performance on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham. Billed as “Back to the Beginning,” the concert featured former Black Sabbath bandmates and a throne-built stage for the frail but defiant rocker.

Struggling with mobility, Ozzy was helped onto the stage, where he performed Iron Man, Changes, and a moving acoustic rendition of Dreamer.

“He was weak, but his eyes still lit up under those lights,” said Tony Iommi. “It was like the spirit of rock itself came alive one more time.”

That show now stands as his last — a swan song for a career that spanned over five decades.

A Legacy of Chaos, Compassion, and Courage

Osbourne’s life was marked by turbulence, excess, and resilience. He survived addiction, arrests, accidents, and industry blacklisting. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2003 (publicly revealed in 2020), he underwent multiple spinal surgeries after a 2019 fall. Despite immense physical pain, he always longed to return to the stage.

“My voice is still there — it’s my body that’s let me down,” he said in 2023 after canceling his farewell tour.

But even off the stage, Ozzy remained a cultural force — from the success of MTV’s The Osbournes to guest appearances with artists like Post Malone and Travis Scott. His unfiltered humor, brutal honesty, and refusal to be anything but himself earned him generations of fans — from boomers to Gen Z.

He is survived by his wife Sharon Osbourne, children Aimee, Kelly, Jack, and several grandchildren. His family has asked for privacy and encouraged fans to honor him “by turning up the music and letting it shake the walls.”

The Prince of Darkness Has Fallen — But the Echo Remains

There will never be another Ozzy Osbourne. He didn’t just make music — he made millions of outcasts feel understood. He didn’t just walk through darkness — he sang through it, screamed through it, and gave it melody.

As Lita Ford softly said, “He was always telling us in song that death wasn’t the end. Now that he’s gone, I believe him even more.”

Rest in peace, Ozzy. You closed your eyes forever, but your voice will live forever.