From ‘Crazy Train’ to curtain call: Ozzy Osbourne’s five-decade reign over heavy metal

Ozzy Osbourne, an iconic figure of heavy metal, has passed away at 76, marking the end of an era

On July 22, 2025, the world lost a major figure in popular culture. Ozzy Osbourne passed away at the age of 76, surrounded by his family. Thus ends the journey of an extraordinary singer. A pioneer of heavy metal and an icon of the global music scene. However, behind the facade of the Prince of Darkness, lies a story of struggles, resilience, and creative brilliance.

Born in Birmingham in 1948, John Michael Osbourne grew up in a working-class neighborhood. In this way, he discovered the hardships of life very early on. Consequently, he developed an early taste for eccentricity and music. He became passionate about the Beatles during his teenage years, which would mark his destiny. Yet, the legend was only written in 1968, when he founded the band Black Sabbath with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward.

Ozzy Osbourne, arms raised, as the master of ceremony of chaos. Far from the shadow of the past, he unites an entire generation around a spirited rock. His messianic posture evokes both the icon and the man aware of his legend. This moment, captured on stage, illustrates his innate sense of musical ritual and his ability to embody the total spectacle.
Ozzy Osbourne, arms raised, as the master of ceremony of chaos. Far from the shadow of the past, he unites an entire generation around a spirited rock. His messianic posture evokes both the icon and the man aware of his legend. This moment, captured on stage, illustrates his innate sense of musical ritual and his ability to embody the total spectacle.

Black Sabbath: birth of a genre, meteoric rise

At the end of the 1960s, England was undergoing social upheavals. Thus, young people were seeking new points of reference and turning to harder music. Black Sabbath imposed a dark aesthetic, powerful riffs, and lyrics haunted by war or madness. By 1970, the album Paranoid became a manifesto of heavy metal. It housed tracks that became classics, like Paranoid or War Pigs. From then on, the unique voice of Ozzy Osbourne intrigued and captivated. His way of commanding the stage impressed both the audience and critics. Yet, glory was accompanied by tensions and excesses.

A dark gaze under the spotlights, the mask of a survivor. This image reveals the tension between the theatrical character and the buried pain. Behind the makeup, a worn-out man but still standing, holding his microphone like a scepter. A raw image of rock, where every gesture becomes a battle against collapse.
A dark gaze under the spotlights, the mask of a survivor. This image reveals the tension between the theatrical character and the buried pain. Behind the makeup, a worn-out man but still standing, holding his microphone like a scepter. A raw image of rock, where every gesture becomes a battle against collapse.

Over the course of albums (Master of Reality, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Sabotage), the band conquered the world. However, the group dynamic was crumbling. In 1979, plagued by drug and alcohol consumption, Ozzy Osbourne was dismissed from Black Sabbath. This event marked a rupture, but also the starting point of a new adventure.

Solo career: reinvention, success, and excess

Barely dismissed, Ozzy Osbourne launched a solo career with Blizzard of Ozz in 1980. Thus began a prolific decade, marked by hits like Crazy Train, Mr. Crowley, and Mama, I’m Coming Home. His image was forged in provocation and excess. Thus, he shocked by decapitating a bat on stage or engaging in antics that remained memorable. However, these excesses did not overshadow his immense creativity. He surrounded himself with brilliant musicians, notably Randy Rhoads and Zakk Wylde, who contributed to renewing metal and popularizing the genre with a new generation.

Ozzy Osbourne released albums and accumulated awards. Moreover, he established his festival, Ozzfest, which became an essential event for global metal. Thus, he allowed many young bands to emerge.

The man behind the legend: family, illness, and lucidity

Behind the image of the Madman was a man faced with multiple trials. Ozzy Osbourne had to contend with his demons, his addictions, and the violence of his lifestyle. He shared his life with Sharon Osbourne, who became his wife and manager. Their story, marked by trials, fascinated the public. Together, they raised three children and exposed their intimacy in the reality TV show The Osbournes, a pioneer of the genre in the 2000s.

Ozzy facing himself, an immobile silhouette in dim light. This stripped-down portrait contrasts with his usual excesses. It shows an aged, almost fragile man, yet still clear-headed. The stillness of the pose evokes a freeze-frame, a moment of silent introspection in a life saturated with noise.
Ozzy facing himself, an immobile silhouette in dim light. This stripped-down portrait contrasts with his usual excesses. It shows an aged, almost fragile man, yet still clear-headed. The stillness of the pose evokes a freeze-frame, a moment of silent introspection in a life saturated with noise.

However, illness eventually took hold. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019, then emphysema, he faced the pain with lucidity. Until the end, he kept his humor and his desire to continue singing. His last concert, on July 5, 2025, in Birmingham, brought together more than 40,000 fans and major figures of metal. Seated on a throne, he delivered an emotional performance, praised by his peers and the press. The concert’s proceeds were donated to medical research and sick children, proof of his commitment.

The throne of the survivor, between decadence and dignity. Made up but seated, Ozzy Osbourne here contends with his physical limitations without relinquishing his aura. The photo captures the ambiguity of a metal king in decline, still sovereign by the sheer force of his gaze. A poignant image of an artist true to himself until the end.
The throne of the survivor, between decadence and dignity. Made up but seated, Ozzy Osbourne here contends with his physical limitations without relinquishing his aura. The photo captures the ambiguity of a metal king in decline, still sovereign by the sheer force of his gaze. A poignant image of an artist true to himself until the end.

An immortal legacy in popular culture

The passing of Ozzy Osbourne sparked a wave of tributes around the world. Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward honored the memory of their "brother." Artists like Metallica, Elton John, and Judas Priest highlighted the singer’s impact on generations of musicians. Thus, he remains a figure of mentorship and inspiration.

In fifty years of career, Ozzy Osbourne sold over 100 million albums. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, both with Black Sabbath and as a solo artist. His name is forever inscribed in the history of rock, alongside his antics and flaws. Yet, he is remembered above all as a free man. He knew how to transform pain into art and madness into musical genius.

Today, the tracks Paranoid, Iron Man, and Crazy Train continue to resonate in stadiums and festivals. The voice of Ozzy Osbourne will long haunt the collective memory. Thus, a man disappears, but the legend remains, inseparable from the history of heavy metal.

This article was written by Pierre-Antoine Tsady.