Just weeks before his death, Ozzy Osbourne bid farewell to his fans during Black Sabbathโs 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.
โIt 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,โ 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 Parkinsonโs disease the year prior, appeared on stage in a leather throne before belting his solo hits and some of the bandโs classics, NBC News reported.
โLet the madness begin!โ he told the crowd, according to the Associated Press.
He also spoke about how much the show meant to him.
โI donโt know what to say, man, Iโve been laid up for like six years. You have no idea how I feel โ thank you from the bottom of my heart,โ said the rock legend. โYouโre all โฆ special. Letโs go crazy โ come on!โ
As mentioned, Osbourne had been living with Parkinsonโs disease for years before his death. The incurable neurological disorder is described by Cleveland Clinic as โan age-related degenerative brain conditionโ that causes parts of the brain โto deteriorate.โ It also leads to โslowed movements, tremors, balance problems and moreโ health issues.
During an interview in February for an episode of Sirius XMโs โOzzy Speaks,โ Osbourne opened up about the effects the disease had on his body to co-host Billy Morrison.
โYou know what Billy, I go on about the way I canโt walk and I canโt do this. But you know what I was thinking over the holidays? For all my complaining, Iโm still alive,โ he shared. โI may be moaning that I canโt walk as wellโฆbut as I look down the road, thereโs people that didnโt do half as much as me and they didnโt make it.โ
So, he focused on preparing his body for his last performance with Black Sabbath, the groupโs 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 โthe worst of my lifeโ amid his health issues. โHow many surgeries have I had?โ he asked himself, referring to the multiple procedures he had since falling on his face in January 2019. โIโve got more f—ing metal in me than a scrap merchants.โ
To get ready for his last time on stage, he started lifting weights, bike riding and working with a trainer. โItโs tough โ Iโve been laid up for such a long time. Iโve been lying on my back doing nothing and the first thing to go is your strength. Itโs like starting all over again,โ he said.
Osbourne continued, โIโve 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. Iโm used to doing two hours on stage, jumping and running around. I donโt think Iโll be doing much jumping or running around this time. I may be sitting down, but the point is Iโll be there, and Iโll do the best I can. So all I can do is turn up.โ
He was also asked during the interview if he was sure that the Birmingham gig would be his last.
โIโd love to say โnever say neverโ, but after the last six years or so โฆ it is time,โ he said. โI lived on the road for 50-odd years, and Iโve kind of got used to not picking up my bags and getting on the bus again. I donโt smoke dope or do any of the rock star lifestyle anymore. Iโm kind of like a homebody. I never go out. I never hang out in bars โ I donโt drink. So what the f— is out there for me?โ
He added that he hoped to spend his final days surrounded by his family.
โI hate going shopping with my wife. I feel like stabbing myself in the neck after half an hour. But itโs time for me to spend some time with my grandkids, I donโt want to die in a hotel room somewhere. I want to spend the rest of my life with my family,โ he said.
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