Just weeks before his death, Ozzy Osbourne bid farewell to his fans during Black Sabbath’s final performance, with a sweet message expressing his gratitude for their decades of support.
On Tuesday, July 22, the heavy metal icon and lead singer of Black Sabbath died at the age of 76, his family announced.
“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. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time,” his family said in a statement obtained by NBC News.
The news of his death comes just a few weeks after Osbourne reunited with Black Sabbath in his hometown of Birmingham, England, for their performance on July 5. In front of more than 40,000 fans and millions of viewers streaming the performance online, Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease the year prior, appeared on stage in a leather throne before belting his solo hits and some of the band’s classics, NBC News reported.
“Let the madness begin!” he told the crowd, according to the Associated Press.
He also spoke about how much the show meant to him.
“I don’t know what to say, man, I’ve been laid up for like six years. You have no idea how I feel — thank you from the bottom of my heart,” said the rock legend. “You’re all … special. Let’s go crazy — come on!”
As mentioned, Osbourne had been living with Parkinson’s disease for years before his death. The incurable neurological disorder is described by Cleveland Clinic as “an age-related degenerative brain condition” that causes parts of the brain “to deteriorate.” It also leads to “slowed movements, tremors, balance problems and more” health issues.
During an interview in February for an episode of Sirius XM’s “Ozzy Speaks,” Osbourne opened up about the effects the disease had on his body to co-host Billy Morrison.
“You know what Billy, I go on about the way I can’t walk and I can’t do this. But you know what I was thinking over the holidays? For all my complaining, I’m still alive,” he shared. “I may be moaning that I can’t walk as well…but as I look down the road, there’s people that didn’t do half as much as me and they didn’t make it.”
So, he focused on preparing his body for his last performance with Black Sabbath, the group’s first in 20 years. Ahead of the show, he spoke to British newspaper The Guardian via video call about training for the show and how he struggled over recent years.
He described his recent years as “the worst of my life” amid his health issues. “How many surgeries have I had?” he asked himself, referring to the multiple procedures he had since falling on his face in January 2019. “I’ve got more f—ing metal in me than a scrap merchants.”
To get ready for his last time on stage, he started lifting weights, bike riding and working with a trainer. “It’s tough — I’ve been laid up for such a long time. I’ve been lying on my back doing nothing and the first thing to go is your strength. It’s like starting all over again,” he said.
Osbourne continued, “I’ve got a vocal coach coming round four days a week to keep my voice going. I have problems walking. I also get blood pressure issues, from blood clots on my legs. I’m used to doing two hours on stage, jumping and running around. I don’t think I’ll be doing much jumping or running around this time. I may be sitting down, but the point is I’ll be there, and I’ll do the best I can. So all I can do is turn up.”
He was also asked during the interview if he was sure that the Birmingham gig would be his last.
“I’d love to say ‘never say never’, but after the last six years or so … it is time,” he said. “I lived on the road for 50-odd years, and I’ve kind of got used to not picking up my bags and getting on the bus again. I don’t smoke dope or do any of the rock star lifestyle anymore. I’m kind of like a homebody. I never go out. I never hang out in bars — I don’t drink. So what the f— is out there for me?”
He added that he hoped to spend his final days surrounded by his family.
“I hate going shopping with my wife. I feel like stabbing myself in the neck after half an hour. But it’s time for me to spend some time with my grandkids, I don’t want to die in a hotel room somewhere. I want to spend the rest of my life with my family,” he said.
