...Rolex Rocker...
Ozzy Osbourne
The Prince of Darkness
Belongs To The Ages
1948-2025
This is the first time I recall writing back-to-back obituaries, one day after another, which is a bummer, but at the same time a celebration of amazing career achievements. I am sad to report, Heavy Metal pioneer and musician, Ozzy Osbourne has stepped back into eternity. Ozzy was a big Rolex fan and had an amazing collection of Rolex models, including the custom Explorer II model seen below on his wrist that features a black PVD coating with a Purple dial.
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath and a solo artist who redefined heavy metal, passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76.
His family announced his death in a heartfelt statement:
“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.”
The news comes just weeks after Osbourne’s triumphant final performance at the “Back to the Beginning” concert in his hometown of Birmingham, England, on July 5, 2025, where he reunited with Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward for a historic farewell.
Born on December 3, 1948, in Aston, Birmingham, Osbourne grew up in a working-class family, the fourth of six children. His early life was marked by hardship—undiagnosed dyslexia, ADHD, and a stint in prison for burglary shaped a rebellious spirit that would later fuel his music. Inspired by The Beatles in 1963, Osbourne pursued a career in music, placing an ad that read “Ozzy Zig Needs Gig,” which led to the formation of Black Sabbath in 1968 with Iommi, Butler, and Ward.
Black Sabbath’s self-titled debut in 1970, followed by Paranoid (1970) and Master of Reality (1971), laid the foundation for heavy metal. Osbourne’s urgent, high-pitched vocals, paired with Iommi’s detuned riffs and Butler’s occult-inspired lyrics, created a sound that was raw, heavy, and revolutionary. Hits like “Iron Man,” “War Pigs,” and “Paranoid” became anthems, with Paranoid topping the UK charts and cementing the band’s influence.
The Prince of Darkness
Rocking Rolex
Ozzy is pictured below many years ago, rocking his Rolex President, looking pretty scary, which was kind of his thing.
Osbourne’s stage presence—wild, unpredictable, and often controversial—earned him the moniker “Prince of Darkness.” A notorious 1982 incident in Des Moines, where he bit the head off a real bat (mistaking it for a prop), became rock legend.
Fired from Black Sabbath in 1979 due to his struggles with alcohol and drug addiction, Osbourne reinvented himself as a solo artist under the guidance of Sharon Arden, whom he married in 1982. His debut album, Blizzard of Ozz (1980), featuring guitarist Randy Rhoads, went quadruple-platinum, driven by the iconic “Crazy Train.” Follow-up albums like Diary of a Madman (1981) and No More Tears (1991) solidified his solo legacy, with 13 studio albums and over 100 million records sold across his career.
In the 1990s, Osbourne and Sharon launched Ozzfest, a traveling festival that became a cultural juggernaut, showcasing bands like Slipknot, Tool, and Linkin Park. In 2002, Osbourne reached a new audience through The Osbournes, an MTV reality show that revealed a comedic, chaotic family life with Sharon, Kelly, and Jack. The Emmy-winning series became a blueprint for celebrity-driven reality TV.
Despite health challenges, including a 2003 ATV accident and a Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2019, Osbourne remained a force. His final concert at Villa Park, performed seated on a bat-adorned throne due to mobility issues, was a star-studded tribute featuring Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and more. “I am Iron Man: go fucking crazy!” he told the 42,000 fans, a moment that captured his enduring spirit.
Osbourne’s influence transcended music. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice—once with Black Sabbath in 2006 and as a solo artist in 2024. Tributes poured in from peers like Metallica, Aerosmith, and Gene Simmons, who called him a “universally beloved” singularity. Black Sabbath’s simple tribute on X read: “Ozzy Forever.”
Osbourne’s connection to Rolex Magazine reflects his larger-than-life persona. Known for his love of bold, luxurious style, he often sported a Rolex Submariner Date, as well as many Rolex President and Daytona models, their rugged elegance mirroring his gritty yet iconic presence. The watches, like Osbourne, were a symbol of durability and timeless rebellion, a fitting companion for a man who lived life on his own terms.
Ozzy Osbourne leaves behind Sharon, their children Kelly, Jack, and Aimee, and three children from his first marriage to Thelma Riley. His legacy as a pioneer of heavy metal, a reality TV trailblazer, and a cultural icon endures. As he once told Rolling Stone, his obituary would likely begin, “Ozzy Osbourne, the man who bit the head off a bat, died.” Yet, it’s his heart, grit, and music that will echo forever. Rest in peace, Ozzy—you belong to the ages.
