Ozzy Osbourne dies at 76 after Birmingham farewell show

Ozzy Osbourne, the flamboyant frontman who helped propel Black Sabbath and heavy metal into the mainstream, died on July 22 at the age of 76. The singer passed away weeks after delivering a final, widely celebrated performance with Black Sabbath at Villa Park in Birmingham, a stripped‑back farewell that also featured his solo set. A memorial service and reflections from friends and fellow musicians have followed, highlighting Osbourne’s outsized influence on rock culture and the emotional resonance of his last act on stage. A charity concert staged around the Birmingham event raised substantial funds for Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice, underscoring the lasting reach of his public life beyond music.

The July 5 “Back to the Beginning” farewell show brought together the classic Sabbath lineup—Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward—with Osbourne for a landmark reunion that also celebrated his solo career. The event was described as a momentous moment for fans and artists alike, hosted by Jason Momoa and broadcast around the world, with a global livestream drawing millions of viewers. The day proved to be a high‑water mark for heavy...