Ozzy Osbourne Dead at 76

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Black Sabbath front man and singer Ozzy Osbourne is dead at 76.

According to a statement from his family, the legendary rock singer died at home as a result of complications from Parkinson’s disease.

They are quoted in The Sun saying he died “surrounded by love.” The family issued a statement Tuesday in England.

The family said: “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. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.

Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis.”

Osbourne did a farewell performance, “Back to the Beginning” just a couple of weeks ago surrounded by rock royalty. All of them came to sing with or bid farewell to Osbourne. Ozzy became known as the Prince of Darkness due to his on-stage antics including famously biting the head off of a bat. Osbourne later explained he thought it was a prop when he bit into the mammal.

Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham in 1948, he dropped out of school at age 15 and pursued a life of petty crime. After hearing the Beatles hit, “She Love You” he changed his focus to plays and performance. In 1967 he formed the group that would become Black Sabbath.