
Ozzy Osbourne Dead at 76: Black Sabbath, Jason Momoa and More React
Ozzy Osbourne Dead at 76: Black Sabbath, Jason Momoa and More React
Thereâs a hole in the sky and in the hearts of Ozzy Osbourneâs loved fans.
The Black Sabbath frontmanâborn John Michael Osbourneâpassed away at the age of 76, his family confirmed on July 22, six years after he had been diagnosed with Parkinsonâs disease.
âIt is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning,â they said in a statement to E! News. âHe was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.â
Ozzyâwho was dad to Elliot Kingsley, Louis Osbourne and Jessica Osbourne with ex-wife Thelma Riley, as well as AimĂ©e Osbourne, Kelly Osbourne and Jack Osbourne with wife Sharon Osbourneâhad a huge impact on the music industry throughout his decades performing.
First with Black Sabbath and then throughout his solo career, the âPrince of Darknessâ was a pioneer in the development of heavy metal musicâthough the artist often took issue with the label of âmetal.â
âIâve never felt comfortable about that title that they put on me, âmetal,ââ Ozzy told Spin in 2023. âWhen you get pigeonholed with a certain [genre], it can be very difficult to do something a bit lighter or an acoustic track or whatever you want to do. Back in the day, it was always just rock music. Itâs still just rock music.â
Instagram/Jason Momoa
But it was that musicâwhether metal, rock or something in betweenâthat resonated with so many over the years.
Among the first to pay tribute to the late rocker was Jason Momoa. âLove you @ozzyosbourne,â the Aquaman actor added alongside a picture with Ozzy and Sharon. âSo grateful. RIP.â
Black Sabbath itselfâwhich includes members Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Geezer Butlerâhonored their lead singer on social media with the words, âOzzy Forever.â
Soon after, Black Sabbathâs brothers in metal, Metallica, also [aid tribute the late rock star with a simple broken heart alongside a throwback photo of Ozzy with the band.
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for EJAF
Another peer to pay tribute was Elton John, who called Ozzy a âtrue legend.â
âHe was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods,â the 78-year-old wrote on Instagram. âHe was also one of the funniest people Iâve ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love.â
For a look at more tributes to Ozzyâs rocking life, keep reading.
Stephen Lovekin
Metallica
The heavy metal band shared a throwback photo of Ozzy Osbourne with a simple broken heart emoji as the caption.
KMazur / Contributor / GETTY IMAGES
Elton John
âHe was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods – a true legend,â he wrote. âHe was also one of the funniest people Iâve ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love.â
Gilbert Carrasquillo / Contributor / GETTY IMAGES
Questlove
âLove Live The Oz,â he wrote. âRest In Melody.â
prideofgypsies/Instagram
Jason Momoa
âLove you @ozzyosbourne All my aloha @sharonosbourne and ohana,â he wrote alongside a picture with Ozzy and wife Sharon Osbourne. âSo grateful. RIP.â
Flavor Flav/Instagram
Flavor Flav
âMan,,, real heart broken over the passing of OZZY OSBOURNE,â the rapper shared on X. âWe go way back and it was a real honor to watch him get inducted into the  @rockhall last year. Sending my love and prayers to Sharon and his kids and whole family. RIP.â
Bobby Bank / Contributor / GETTY IMAGES
Bret Michaels
âOne of the greatest rock legends to ever live…â the Def Leppard member wrote, noting the band would dedicate their upcoming shows to Ozzy. âAnd to my friend @sharonosbourne and the entire Osbourne family, sending my deepest condolences. Ozzy, may you forever rest in peace and thank you for rocking our world.â
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Ice T
âRIP Ozzy,â he wrote on X. âRight after the recent huge Black Sabbath final concert. Sad.. In my opinion the Creators of Heavy Metal.â
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Paul Feig
âHe was such a sweet guy and so up for having fun with his image,â the director recalled. âHe was a true legend and the music world wouldnât have been the same without him. RIP Ozzy.â
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Smashing Pumpkins
Alongside a video of Sharon and Billy Corgan, the band wrote, âWe [heart] you too, Ozzy.â
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Mike McCready of Pearl Jam
Writing on behalf of the band, lead guitarist Mike McCready detailed when he first discovered Black Sabbath in high school.
ââWar Pigsâ was terrifying and mesmerizing at the same time,â he wrote. âIt was Ozzyâs voice that took me away to a dark universe. A great escape. Then when The âBlizzard of Ozzâ record came out I was instantly a fan. Thanks for the music, Ozzy it makes our journey in life better.â
New Line Cinema
Adam Sandler
Of his Little Nicky costar, the actor wrote, âWhether we were in our basements with our brothers, in the woods with our buddies, in the car, at a keg party, on a boat, at football practice, at a sleepoverâŠ.Nobody was more badass to crank up on our speakers than the one and only prince of darkness – Ozzy Osborne! Loved him a lot like we all did!â
SplashNews.com
Josh Brolin
âWhat a talent and what an impact on me,â the Goonies star wrote, âand so many others that found it him a thriving misfit with the voice of the grimy blood in our darkest vein. He was circus and theatre and love and loyalty and the everyman’s talent.â
Kevin Mazur / Contributor / GETTY IMAGES
Ronnie Wood
âI am so very sad to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne,â the Rolling Stonesâ guitarist wrote. âWhat a lovely goodbye concert he had at Back To The Beginning in Birmingham.â
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