Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary front man of Black Sabbath and solo artist known as the “Prince of Darkness,” has died at the age of 76. With a career spanning more than five decades, Osbourne leaves behind a legacy that shaped the heavy metal genre and touched fans across the globe—including those who worked alongside him.

Dr. Matt Donahue, a professor in Bowling Green State University’s Department of Popular Culture—the only fully dedicated popular culture department in the country—said Osbourne’s contributions to music and culture are unmatched.

“Ozzy Osbourne has played a huge role in popular music and popular culture,” Dr. Donahue said. “With Black Sabbath, he helped create the sound and image of heavy metal. And then he launched a solo career that was just as influential.”

Dr. Donahue noted that Osbourne’s reach extended well beyond the stage. From reality television with The Osbournes, to the Ozzfest music festival he co-created with wife Sharon, Osbourne became a cultural icon through what Donahue called “media convergence”—his ability to impact music, television, and live performance at once.

Rock radio personality Fast Freddie, afternoon host on Y103, met Ozzy in the early ’90s and called him “the godfather of heavy metal.”

“He just lived life on his own terms,” Freddie said. “He was a wild man—larger than life—but incredibly kind and down to earth. I’ll never forget backstage, people asking him for advice and Ozzy just calmly talking to them like a friend.”

For Freddie, Osbourne’s legacy lives on in tradition.

“For the past 20–25 years, I’ve kicked off every weekend by playing ‘Crazy Train’ at 5 o’clock on Fridays,” he said. “Ozzy’s memory will definitely live on as long as I’m still around.”

One of Osbourne’s longtime collaborators and close friends, Greg Johnston, is a Sebring native who worked with him on the hit MTV reality show “The Osbournes” and directed the 2020 documentary “The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne.”

Johnston appeared on 21 News in May and shared this statement with us following Ozzy’s death:

“I’m gutted. His voice and his music impacted generations of fans from all over the world. But the thing I’ll remember the most is his humility and humor. I never laughed as much or as hard as when I was with Ozzy. So lucky to have been in his orbit.”

Osbourne’s career was filled with milestones—from Grammy wins and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, to iconic songs like “Paranoid,” “Crazy Train,” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” He was also a lightning rod for controversy—famously biting the head off a bat on stage—but always insisted he was simply a performer with a big heart and a love for his fans.

As Dr. Donahue put it, “There’s only one Ozzy Osbourne. When you say ‘Ozzy,’ everyone knows exactly who you’re talking about. That’s the mark of a true cultural icon.”

Osbourne died peacefully at home, surrounded by family. His music—and his legacy—live on.