Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic “Godfather of Heavy Metal,” has died at the age of 76 after a year of battling Parkinson’s disease.
The former Black Sabbath frontman and celebrated solo artist passed away Tuesday morning, just weeks after what would become his final emotional performance at Birmingham’s Villa Park.
The show, which featured Metallica and Guns N’ Roses, was where he was captured on video thanking fans for their years of unwavering support.
In a heartfelt statement, his family confirmed the news of his death: “It 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 family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
Osbourne’s influence extended far beyond music, and in the early 2000s, he became a pop culture phenomenon when MTV introduced The Osbournes, a reality series that offered a open look at life inside the Osbourne household, alongside his wife, Sharon, and children, Kelly and Jack.
The show became an instant hit, winning a Primetime Emmy and connecting Ozzy with a brand new generation of fans.