(607NewsNow) —Heavy metal founding father Ozzy Osbourne, born John Michael Osbourne, passed away on July 22nd, 2025 at the age of 76. His final performance, a landmark farewell concert titled Back to the Beginning, took place only weeks earlier, reuniting him with Black Sabbath’s original lineup at Villa Park in his hometown. Find a timeline of his life and career here:

1948 – Birth in Birmingham, England
John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne is born on December 3, 1948, in Aston, a working-class district of Birmingham. His upbringing in postwar Britain deeply influences his dark lyrical and vocal style.

1968 – Formation of Black Sabbath
Osbourne co-founds Black Sabbath with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. Their self-titled debut and follow-ups like Paranoid and Master of Reality establish heavy metal as a genre.

1979 – Fired from Black Sabbath
Due to mounting substance abuse issues, Osbourne is dismissed from the band. What seems like a downfall becomes a defining turning point.

1980 – Solo Debut: Blizzard of Ozz
Osbourne launches a solo career with Blizzard of Ozz, featuring hits like “Crazy Train.” Guitarist Randy Rhoads becomes a key creative partner until his death in 1982.

1990s – Ozzfest and Industry Influence
Osbourne founds Ozzfest, a touring festival that becomes a key platform for hard rock and metal acts, helping launch careers of bands like Slipknot and System of a Down.

2002 – Reality TV Fame with The Osbournes
MTV’s The Osbournes offers a chaotic, intimate look at the rocker’s home life. The show turns Ozzy and his family into pop culture fixtures.

2003 – Serious ATV Accident
A quad-bike crash at his Buckinghamshire estate results in severe injuries, including broken vertebrae and a punctured lung. His health begins to decline noticeably after this.

2019 – Fall and Spinal Injury
A fall at home exacerbates past injuries, requiring extensive spinal surgery. Osbourne cancels tours and enters long-term recovery.

2020 – Parkinson’s Diagnosis Revealed
Osbourne publicly announces he has a rare form of Parkinson’s disease (Parkin-2). He experiences worsening tremors, balance issues, and muscle weakness in the years that follow.

2022 – Final Album: Patient Number 9
Despite health setbacks, Osbourne releases Patient Number 9, featuring collaborations with Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and Tony Iommi. The album wins the Grammy for Best Rock Album.

July 5, 2025 – Final Performance: Back to the Beginning
Ozzy reunites with the original Black Sabbath lineup for a farewell concert at Villa Park, Birmingham. Though seated due to physical limitations, his voice holds strong in an emotional final show.

July 22, 2025 – Death at Age 76
Osbourne dies peacefully at home, surrounded by family. His death follows a long battle with Parkinson’s and spinal complications, but comes just weeks after his triumphant final performance.

Kat Walters of I-100 Iconic Rock says:

“There was always something truly magical about Ozzy Osbourne. He may have worn the crown as the Prince of Darkness, but his music lit a fire in millions of hearts. From the raw power of Black Sabbath to his iconic solo career and fearless collaborations, Ozzy didn’t just make rock music — he defined it. He forged a path so wild, so honest, and so unforgettable that generations of rockers are still walking it today. His voice, his spirit, his chaos — they’ll echo forever.”

Find more classic rock content on the I-100 Iconic Rock website here.