Ozzy Osbourne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ozzy Osbourne
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Osbourne in 2010
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John Michael Osbourne
3 December 1948 Marston Green, Warwickshire, England
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| Died | 22 July 2025 (aged 76) |
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| Children | 6, including Aimee, Kelly, and Jack |
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| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1967–2025 |
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John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne (3 December 1948 – 22 July 2025) was an English singer, songwriter, and television star. He became famous in the 1970s as the lead singer of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath. During this time, he earned the nickname "Prince of Darkness".
In 1968, Osbourne helped form Black Sabbath. The band was a major influence on heavy metal music. Their most famous albums include Paranoid (1970) and Master of Reality (1971). In 1979, Osbourne left Black Sabbath due to disagreements and started a successful solo career. He released 13 studio albums, and many of them sold millions of copies.
Osbourne reunited with Black Sabbath several times. In 2013, he recorded the band's final album, 13. They went on a farewell tour that ended in 2017. Over his career, Osbourne sold more than 100 million albums. He was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, once with Black Sabbath (2006) and once as a solo artist (2024).
In the early 2000s, Osbourne became a reality TV star on the MTV show The Osbournes. The show featured his wife Sharon and their children Kelly and Jack. On July 5, 2025, Osbourne performed his final concert. He died later that month on July 22.
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Early life
John Michael Osbourne was born in Aston, a part of Birmingham, England. His father, John, was a toolmaker, and his mother, Lilian, worked in a factory. He had five siblings. As a child, he was given the nickname "Ozzy."
At school, Osbourne had trouble with dyslexia. He enjoyed being in school plays like The Mikado. When he was 14, he heard the song "She Loves You" by the Beatles. The song inspired him so much that he decided he wanted to be a rock star for the rest of his life. He left school at 15 to work several jobs before starting his music career.
Career
Black Sabbath
In 1967, Osbourne and his friend Geezer Butler started a band. They were soon joined by guitarist Tony Iommi and drummer Bill Ward. They first called their band Earth. After being confused with another band, they changed their name to Black Sabbath in 1969, inspired by a scary movie.
The band noticed that people liked to be frightened, so they decided to play a heavy style of blues rock with dark lyrics. Their first album, Black Sabbath, and their second album, Paranoid, were both very successful. The band became one of the most famous heavy metal groups in the world.
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Black Sabbath released more successful albums, including Master of Reality (1971), Black Sabbath Vol. 4 (1972), and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973). These albums were very popular and sold millions of copies.
However, by the late 1970s, there were tensions within the band. In 1979, Osbourne was asked to leave Black Sabbath. The other members felt he had become unreliable. The band continued with a new singer, Ronnie James Dio.
Black Sabbath Reunions
Osbourne reunited with the original members of Black Sabbath many times over the years. In 1997, they got back together for a tour and a live album called Reunion.
In 2011, the band announced they would record a new album and go on a world tour. The album, titled 13, was released in 2013 and was a number-one hit in the UK and the US. In 2016, the band began a farewell tour called "The End". Their final show was in their hometown of Birmingham in February 2017.
In August 2022, Osbourne and Tony Iommi made a surprise appearance at the closing ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. On July 5, 2025, Osbourne played his final show, called "Back to the Beginning", at Villa Park in Birmingham. Because of his health, he performed while sitting on a throne.
Solo career
After leaving Black Sabbath, Osbourne's future wife, Sharon Arden, became his manager. She helped him start a solo career. He formed a new band called the Blizzard of Ozz. The band included guitarist Randy Rhoads, bassist Bob Daisley, and drummer Lee Kerslake.
His first solo album, Blizzard of Ozz (1980), was a huge success. It included famous songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley." His second album, Diary of a Madman (1981), was also very popular.
Tragically, on March 19, 1982, guitarist Randy Rhoads was killed in a plane crash during the tour. Osbourne was deeply saddened by the death of his close friend and bandmate. He took a two-week break from the tour before continuing with a new guitarist.
Despite the tragedy, Osbourne's career continued to be successful. He released the album Bark at the Moon in 1983 with guitarist Jake E. Lee. In 1987, he found a new long-term guitarist, Zakk Wylde. Together, they recorded many albums, including No Rest for the Wicked (1988).
In the 1990s, Osbourne's success grew with the album No More Tears (1991), which featured the hit song "Mama, I'm Coming Home." He continued to release albums like Ozzmosis (1995), Down to Earth (2001), and Black Rain (2007). His final two albums were Ordinary Man (2020) and Patient Number 9 (2022).
Other Works
Ozzfest
In 1996, Osbourne and his wife Sharon started a traveling music festival called Ozzfest. The festival was a huge success and helped many new hard rock and heavy metal bands become famous. Ozzfest ran for many years and was attended by millions of fans.
Television and Writing
In 2002, Osbourne became a famous television star with the MTV reality show The Osbournes. The show followed the daily life of Ozzy, his wife Sharon, and their children Jack and Kelly. It was one of MTV's most popular shows.
In 2009, Osbourne released his autobiography, I Am Ozzy. The book was a bestseller and told the story of his life and career. He also appeared in many movies and TV shows, often as himself.
Personal Life and Health
Osbourne was married to his first wife, Thelma Riley, from 1971 to 1982. They had two children, Jessica and Louis, and he also adopted Thelma's son, Elliot.
In 1982, he married his manager, Sharon Arden. They had three children: Aimee, Kelly, and Jack. The family split their time between homes in England and Los Angeles.
In his later years, Osbourne faced several health problems. In 2003, he was seriously injured in an accident on his quad bike. In 2019, he had a bad fall at his home. That same year, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a condition that affects movement. Because of his health, he had to cancel his final world tour.
Death
On July 22, 2025, Osbourne died at his home in the United Kingdom at the age of 76. His death came just a few weeks after his final concert. A statement from his family said he was surrounded by them when he passed away.
Legacy and Awards
Osbourne is remembered as a pioneer of heavy metal music. He won many awards for his music. In 1994, he won a Grammy Award for the song "I Don't Want to Change the World."
He was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005, both as a solo artist and with Black Sabbath. In 2006, he and Black Sabbath were inducted into the U.S. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2024, he was inducted again as a solo artist. He also has stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Birmingham Walk of Stars.
Discography
Solo Albums
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Black Sabbath Albums
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See also
In Spanish: Ozzy Osbourne para niños
