Tributes are being paid after the tragic death of Black Sabbath legend Ozzy Osbourne, who has passed away at home at the age of 76.
The news of Ozzy’s death comes just days after he played an iconic homecoming show at Birmingham’s Villa Park stadium, the home of his favourite football team Aston Villa.
The War Pigs singer had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019 and has battled ill health ever since. He performed from a throne at Villa Park on July 5, but has now died “surrounded by love”, his family said in a statement on Tuesday.
They added: “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 his family and surrounded by love.”
Osbourne leaves behind his wife, Sharon, and their three children, daughters Aimee and Kelly and son Jack. Ozzy also had two older children, Jessica and Louis, from his first marriage to Thelma Riley.
(Image: WireImage)
The star-studded Villa Park show, called Back To The Beginning, saw the biggest names in rock pay tribute to the men who created their entire genre of heavy metal.
Ozzy told thousands of fans that it was “so good to be on this stage” as he performed his last set from a large black throne.
The star and his fellow original Black Sabbath members – guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Terence “Geezer” Butler and drummer Bill Ward – were the last to appear on stage as part of a star-studded line-up.
Tony said this evening: “I just can’t believe it! My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park”.
He added that his death was “such heart-breaking news that I can’t really find the words… Geezer (Butler), Bill (Ward) and myself have lost our brother.
“My thoughts go out to Sharon and all the Osbourne family. Rest in peace Oz. Tony.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
