Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne dies aged 76

Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of heavy metal group Black Sabbath, died on Tuesday at the age of 76, his family said, just weeks after he gave an epic farewell concert.

- PETER HUTCHISON

The hell-raising singer, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, passed away just over a fortnight after playing a final gig before a sold-out crowd in his home city of Birmingham, England.

"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," said a family statement. "He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time."

On Black Sabbath's oficial Instagram account, the remaining members simply posted "Ozzy Forever".

Tributes poured in for the notorious figure nicknamed the "Prince of Darkness", who once bit off the head of a bat while on stage.

Music icon Elton John praised Osbourne as "a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods a true legend".

"He was also one of the funniest people I've ever met. I will miss him dearly," John wrote on Instagram.