John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne, hailed as “The Godfather of Heavy Metal,” died Tuesday morning at the age of 76.
Osbourne’s cause of death is unknown, but it has been reported that in the past, the Black Sabbath singer was being treated for a rare genetic condition called Parkinsonism.
“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,” Osbourne’s wife Sharon said in a statement. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
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Osbourne was also known as the “Prince of Darkness.” In 1981, Osbourne bit off the head a dove in front of CBC Records executives during the signing of his first solo record deal.
Similarly, during a concert in 1982, Osbourne bit the head off a bat that was thrown on the stage while he was performing. Osbourne claims he thought the bat was made of rubber but recalled that it was not only alive but also bit him.
Given his theatrics, rumors that Osbourne was a Satanist swirled throughout his career. But a 1986, interview with SPIN magazine Osbourne claimed that he was a Christian:
I’m a Christian. I was christened as a Christian. I used to go to Sunday school. I never took much interest in it because…I didn’t. My idea of heaven is feeling good. A place where people are alright to each other. This world scares the sh*t out of me. We’re all living on the tinderbox. It’s like there’s some maniac somewhere trying to devise a new means of destruction. It always amazes me that mankind always goes to find the biggest, powerfullest means of destruction before they find anything good. It’s always the negative things they find first. Since I’ve had kids I’ve thought, ‘What are we leaving these people? Nothing.’ What a future we’ve got for mankind.
Some of Osbourne’s most popular songs were “Crazy Train,” “No More Tears,” “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” “Paranoid,” “Iron Man,” and “War Pigs.” Osbourne’s catalogue also included the songs “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” and “Facing Hell.”
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In 2023, celebrity evangelist Dylan Novak met the Osbourne family and had the opportunity to share the gospel with Ozzy, Sharon, and their children Kelly, and Jack. In a social media post he shared his experience, saying:
Through the years, Ozzy has written many songs about his beliefs, such as After Forever and Miracle Man. In 2014, he told The Guardian he considers himself to be a Christian, but that he doesn’t understand the Bible because it’s in a language he can’t understand. I was very thankful to have a moment to talk with Mr. Osbourne at his table. I introduced myself, and told him I had him a gift based on his spiritual beliefs, he said, “Let’s see it!” I pulled out a new believers Bible that is easy to read. As he was looking at it, he said, “Is that my name on the cover?” I told him the reason I came to meet him was because I love and care about him and his soul. He was also excited to receive his letter, tracts, and Gasp! by Tony Nolan. Sharon has been quoted in 2012 saying, “I’m not an atheist, but I like to see what every religion has to offer and I’ve brought my kids up to know and respect all religions. My main principle in life is to treat everyone as you would like to be treated. That is what I hope I have passed on to my kids.” She was receptive of The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel, tracts, and letter. Jack has a new show called Portals to Hell. In that show, he explores sites “with sordid pasts and dark histories that are especially sinister and purported to be doorways to the spirit underworld.” When asked if he was a religious man, he said, “I’m not religious, no, I don’t necessarily subscribe to any kind of organized religion. I have a kind of deep spiritual belief and an understanding of a higher power, but I wouldn’t say I conform to religion. It’s not that I’m opposed to religion, I just never found one that made sense to me.” I asked Jack about his show and why he chose a dark realm of spirituality. He told me, “It’s more the branding. I’m just very interested in looking into spirits and spirituality to see what’s there.” This opened the door for us to have an in-depth conversation. Before I walked away, he grabbed a paper and wrote down a list of different podcasts and theologians he had been listening to, so that if we saw each other again, we could discuss it. When I gave him his gift (Jesus>Religion by Jefferson Bethke, The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel, tracts, and letter), he said, “It’s like you read my mind about what I’d be intrigued by. This is fantastic.” Kelly has never publicly stated her beliefs. When I gave her the gift (GASP by Tony Nolan, Lee Strobel Answer Book, tracts, and letter) she told me, “I appreciate this care so much.”
