Ozzy Osbourne, the heavy metal rocker who pioneered a new sound with Black Sabbath and spent five decades as a colorful celebrity personality, died Tuesday. He was 76.
Osbourne’s cause of death was not immediately reported, but his family told Britain’s Sky News that Osbourne died “with his family and surrounded by love.”
From the moment Osbourne and Black Sabbath burst onto the scene with their eponymous debut album in 1970, the lead singer and the group courted controversy on all fronts, which simultaneously revolted many and endeared them to a worldwide counterculture audience.
“Black Sabbath wasn’t a band that was created by some big mogul guy,” Osbourne told the BBC in 2017. “It was four guys who went, ‘Let’s have a go.’ We had a dream and it came true beyond our wildest expectations.”
Osbourne’s own chaotic behavior got him exiled from the band in 1979, but he went on to a fantastically successful solo career and remained a global celebrity for decades.
Just over two weeks ago, Osbourne performed a farewell show at Villa Park in his native Birmingham, England. He was joined by his original bandmates, Terence “Geezer” Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward, for Black Sabbath’s first performance in 20 years.
“We’re not here to say goodbye,” said Scott Ian of Anthrax, which was also part of the show. “We’re just here to say thank you.”
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