There’s a hole in the sky and in the hearts of Ozzy Osbourne’s loved fans.
The Black Sabbath frontman—born John Michael Osbourne—passed away at the age of 76, his family confirmed on July 22, six years after he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
“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,” they said in a statement to E! News. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
Ozzy—who was dad to Elliot Kingsley, Louis Osbourne and Jessica Osbourne with ex-wife Thelma Riley, as well as Aimée Osbourne, Kelly Osbourne and Jack Osbourne with wife Sharon Osbourne—had a huge impact on the music industry throughout his decades performing.
First with Black Sabbath and then throughout his solo career, the “Prince of Darkness” was a pioneer in the development of heavy metal music—though the artist often took issue with the label of “metal.”
“I’ve never felt comfortable about that title that they put on me, ‘metal,’” Ozzy told Spin in 2023. “When 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. It’s still just rock music.”
But it was that music—whether metal, rock or something in between—that resonated with so many over the years.
Among the first to pay tribute to the late rocker was Jason Momoa. “Love you @ozzyosbourne,” the Aquaman actor added alongside a picture with Ozzy and Sharon. “So grateful. RIP.”
Black Sabbath itself—which includes members Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler—honored their lead singer on social media with the words, “Ozzy Forever.”
Soon after, Black Sabbath’s 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.
Another peer to pay tribute was Elton John, who called Ozzy a “true legend.”
“He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods,” the 78-year-old wrote on Instagram. “He was also one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love.”
For a look at more tributes to Ozzy’s rocking life, keep reading.
Metallica
The heavy metal band shared a throwback photo of Ozzy Osbourne with a simple broken heart emoji as the caption.
Elton John
“He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods - a true legend,” he wrote. “He was also one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love.”
Questlove
“Love Live The Oz,” he wrote. “Rest In Melody.”
Jason Momoa
“Love you @ozzyosbourne All my aloha @sharonosbourne and ohana,” he wrote alongside a picture with Ozzy and wife Sharon Osbourne. “So grateful. RIP.”
Flavor Flav
“Man,,, real heart broken over the passing of OZZY OSBOURNE,” the rapper shared on X. “We 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.”
Bret Michaels
“One of the greatest rock legends to ever live...” the Def Leppard member wrote, noting the band would dedicate their upcoming shows to Ozzy. “And 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.”
Ice T
“RIP Ozzy,” he wrote on X. “Right after the recent huge Black Sabbath final concert. Sad.. In my opinion the Creators of Heavy Metal.”
Paul Feig
“He was such a sweet guy and so up for having fun with his image,” the director recalled. “He was a true legend and the music world wouldn’t have been the same without him. RIP Ozzy.”
Smashing Pumpkins
Alongside a video of Sharon and Billy Corgan, the band wrote, “We [heart] you too, Ozzy.”
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.
“‘War Pigs’ was terrifying and mesmerizing at the same time,” he wrote. “It was Ozzy’s voice that took me away to a dark universe. A great escape. Then when The ‘Blizzard of Ozz’ record came out I was instantly a fan. Thanks for the music, Ozzy it makes our journey in life better.”
Adam Sandler
Of his Little Nicky costar, the actor wrote, “Whether 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 sleepover….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!”
Josh Brolin
“What a talent and what an impact on me,” the Goonies star wrote, “and 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.”
Ronnie Wood
“I am so very sad to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne,” the Rolling Stones’ guitarist wrote. “What a lovely goodbye concert he had at Back To The Beginning in Birmingham.”