The rock legend handed away on July 22, simply weeks after his emotional farewell live performance, “Again to the Starting,” held on July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, the very metropolis the place his journey into rock started.

Born John Michael Osbourne in 1948, Ozzy Osbourne’s influence on music is immeasurable, but it surely did not come simple.

Because the unmistakable voice behind Black Sabbath’s groundbreaking sound, he helped pioneer heavy steel and impressed generations of artists throughout genres.

His solo profession, paired along with his larger-than-life character, made him not only a music legend however a popular culture icon.

However behind the onstage antics and darkish persona was a person who spent his later years bravely battling declining well being, all whereas remaining fiercely dedicated to his followers.

Ozzy was by no means shy about his battles with habit. The truth is, he usually spoke candidly concerning the decades-long wrestle that just about value him every little thing.

From his early days with Black Sabbath via his solo profession and rise to actuality TV fame, Ozzy’s life was marked by extreme ingesting, drug use, and repeated stints in rehab.

His habit points continuously made headlines, leading to arrests, canceled excursions, and strained relationships, together with along with his spouse, Sharon Osbourne, who stood by him via a few of his darkest chapters. Their marriage weathered a number of crises, together with a 1989 incident the place Ozzy was arrested for tried assault whereas below the affect.

Regardless of the chaos, Ozzy by no means gave up on sobriety. He entered rehab a number of occasions over time and ultimately started opening up about his progress and setbacks publicly, serving to to destigmatize habit within the rock world.

Ozzy’s well being struggles started to mount after a critical ATV accident in 2003, which, in accordance with experiences, left him with a number of accidents.

He in the end underwent emergency surgical procedure to handle “a damaged collarbone, eight fractured ribs that had been pinching essential blood vessels, and a broken vertebrae in his neck.” Although he ultimately recovered, the injury lingered and could be compounded years later by additional trauma.

In 2018, a fall at house aggravated these earlier accidents, resulting in 4 spinal surgical procedures and a protracted, painful restoration course of.

In 2019, Ozzy confronted one other main well being setback when he was hospitalized with pneumonia, forcing him to cancel a string of worldwide tour dates, together with stops in Sydney, Melbourne, Christchurch, Auckland, and China.

The rock legend had been gearing as much as hit the stage as soon as once more, however docs urged him to prioritize his well being. His spouse, Sharon Osbourne, took to social media on the time to share the information with followers, writing, “Ozzy lately developed pneumonia & has spent a while in hospital. He’s via the worst half. His docs have suggested that he keep at house to recuperate for a full six weeks.”

Although followers had been understandably dissatisfied, the outpouring of affection and assist was overwhelming, and true to kind, Ozzy promised he’d be again as quickly as he was in a position.

“You recognize what, Billy, I’m going on about the way in which I can’t stroll and I can’t do that, however what I used to be considering over the vacations?” Ozzy mentioned in early 2025 throughout an episode of his SiriusXM radio present, “Ozzy Speaks.” “For all of my complaining, I’m nonetheless alive.”