Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath and godfather of heavy metal, has died at the age of 76. The news marks the end of an era defined by raw power, rebellion, and the unmistakable snarl of a man who changed the face of music forever.

Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham, England, in 1948, Ozzy rose from working-class roots to become one of rock’s most unforgettable figures. His voice—haunting, apocalyptic, and soulful—became the soundtrack of a generation searching for something darker, something real. With Black Sabbath, he pioneered a sound that tapped into the anxieties of post-industrial Britain and gave birth to heavy metal.

Their 1970 debut album, Black Sabbath, was unlike anything the world had heard before—ominous riffs, doom-laden lyrics, and a theatrical sense of menace. With tracks like “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid,” the band didn’t just entertain; they provoked and inspired. Ozzy’s chilling delivery was central to it all.

Even after his departure from Sabbath in 1979, Ozzy’s solo career proved just as vital. Blizzard of Ozz (1980) introduced “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley,” songs that blended metal with melody and madness. His partnership with guitar virtuoso Randy Rhoads remains one of rock’s most revered collaborations.

Ozzy was never just a musician. He was a cultural phenomenon—equal parts menace and misfit. The infamous bat incident, his slurred interviews, and, later, the chaos of The Osbournes reality show made him a household name even outside the music world. But behind the spectacle was a man deeply loved by fans, family, and fellow musicians alike.

Struggles with addiction, health scares, and public scrutiny never silenced him. In fact, they only added to the myth. He was vulnerable, chaotic, and painfully human—qualities that made his music resonate all the more.

In recent years, he battled Parkinson’s disease and underwent multiple surgeries, yet he continued to make music and perform when he could. His final albums, including Ordinary Man and Patient Number 9, were proof that the fire still burned within him.

Ozzy leaves behind his wife Sharon, children Aimee, Kelly, and Jack, and millions of fans across the globe. His legacy is incalculable—not just in riffs or records, but in the ethos of every outsider who ever picked up a guitar and dared to scream into the void.

Today, the world grows quieter without his howl. But somewhere, in the depths of distortion and the shadows of stage lights, Ozzy's voice will echo forever.

Rest in power, Prince of Darkness.