Live through what should have killed him

Rock legend died on July 22, just a few weeks after her emotional concert, “Back at the start”, held on July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, the very city where his trip to rock started.

Born John Michael Osbourne in 1948, the impact of Ozzy Osbourne on music is immeasurable, but it was not easy.

As a unmistakable voice behind the revolutionary sound of Black Sabbath, he helped Pionnier du Heavy Metal and inspired generations of artists through genres.

His solo career, twinned with his greater than life personality, has made him not only a legend of music but an icon of pop culture.

But behind the puffs on stage and Dark Persona was a man who spent his last years courageously fighting in decline, while remaining fiercely committed to his fans.

Ozzy has never been shy about his battles with dependence. In fact, he often spoke frankly about the struggle of several decades which cost him almost everything.

Since his beginnings with Black Sabbath throughout his solo career and the fame of reality TV, Ozzy’s life has been marked by an excessive consumption of alcohol, consumption of drugs and repeated stays in detoxification cure.

His dependence problems have often made the headlines, causing arrests, canceled visits and tense relations, including with his wife, Sharon Osbournewhich was held near him through some of his darkest chapters. Their marriage resisted several crises, including an incident of 1989 where Ozzy was arrested for attempted assault under the influence.

Despite chaos, Ozzy has never abandoned sobriety. He has entered the detoxification treatment several times over the years and has finally started to open publicly to his progress and his setbacks, helping to destigmatize dependence in the world of rock.

Ozzy’s health difficulties started to rise after a serious mountain bike accident in 2003, which, according to reports, left him several injuries.

He finally underwent an emergency surgical intervention to approach “a broken collarbone, eight fractured ribs which pinched crucial blood vessels and damaged vertebrae in the neck.” Although he was finally recovered, the damage persisted and would be aggravated years later by other trauma.

In 2018, a home drop aggravated these previous injuries, causing four spine surgeries and a long painful recovery process.

In 2019, Ozzy faced another major health setback when he was hospitalized with pneumonia, forcing him to cancel a series of international tour dates, including stops in Sydney, Melbourne, Christchurch, Auckland and China.

The legend of rock was preparing for once again on stage, but the doctors urged him to prioritize his health. His wife, Sharon Osbourne, went to social networks at the time to share the news with the fans, writing: “Ozzy recently developed pneumonia and spent a little time in the hospital. He is in the worst. His doctors advised to stay at home to recover for six weeks. ”

Although fans were naturally disappointed, the outpouring of love and support was overwhelming and faithful to the form, Ozzy promised that he would be back as soon as he could.

“What do you know, Billy, I continue the way I can’t walk and I can’t do that, but you know what I was thinking during the holidays?” Ozzy said in early 2025 in an episode of his Siriusxm radio program, “Ozzy Speaks”. “For all my complaints, I’m still alive.”