Ozzy Osbourne, pioneering heavy metal singer and Black Sabbath frontman, dies at 76

Iconic heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne, who became a huge solo success and later a reality TV star after being fired from Black Sabbath, has died.

Ozzy Osbourne, the wailing Black Sabbath singer-turned-solo act who took the “Crazy Train” from a bleak childhood in working-class Birmingham, England, to heavy metal stardom, has died.

He was 76.

His family announced the rock legend's passing in a 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. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”

Word of Osbourne's demise came more than two weeks after the ailing frontman reunited with his original Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for a triumphant final show on July 5.

Shortly after Osbourne's death was announced, a two-word tribute appeared on the official Facebook page of Black Sabath: "Ozzy Forever."