Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath and the "Prince of Darkness," has died at 76, his family confirmed on July 22, 2025.
His storied life and career, marked by iconic riffs, wild antics, and raw emotion, included a controversial Texas chapter - one still remembered in San Antonio today.
Texas Tango with the Alamo
In February 1982, a heavily intoxicated Osbourne made headlines - not for his music, but for disrespecting the Alamo Cenotaph with a public urination incident at Alamo Plaza.
Arrested for public intoxication and disorder, he spent hours in Bexar County Jail before bailing out and performing later that night at HemisFair Arena.
That act led to a decade-long ban from city‑owned venues in San Antonio, but redemption followed. In 1992, Osbourne issued a formal apology, donated $10,000 to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and began reconciling with the city - and the Alamo’s stewards.
He even returned for a History Channel–filmed visit in 2015, touring the shrine with his son Jack and the official Alamo team.
“We honor history in all its complexities,” the Alamo said in a statement after his death, acknowledging both the disrespect and the artist’s years‑long journey to make amends.
Remembering a Rock Icon
Ozzy wasn’t just remembered for crawling through controversy - he helped shape the very sound of heavy metal. As lead singer of Black Sabbath, he broke musical ground in the 1970s with hits like “Paranoid” and “Iron Man,” selling over 100 million records.
His final public performance came just weeks ago on July 5 with Black Sabbath in Birmingham - all four original band members reunited for the last time.
Celebrities - from Elton John and Yungblud to Metallica and Jack White - hailed him as a trailblazer, a larger-than-life performer, and an indelible cultural force.
The Ozzy Legacy in Texas
For Dallas listeners—and all Texans - it’s not just the music that lingers. It’s the story arc: from rock’n’roll recklessness at one of the state’s most sacred sites, to apology, reconciliation, and eventual return. That arc captures why Ozzy remains unforgettable - not only in heavy‑metal lore but in Texas history.
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