Ozzy Osbourne of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath arrives at the 56th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, Jan. 26, 2014. Photo: REUTERS/Danny Moloshok
Rock and heavy metal music legend Ozzy Osbourne, who died on Tuesday morning at the age 0f 76, had a life that involved activism for pro-Israel and Jewish causes as well as two trips to Israel and a home life that integrated Judaism with the help of his wife, Jewish television personality Sharon Osbourne.
The family of the British musician announced his passing in a released statement. He is survived by his wife Sharon, their children – Kelly, Jack, and Aimee – and his son Louis from his previous marriage to Thelma Riley.
Earlier this month, the nicknamed “Prince of Darkness,” who lived with Parkinson’s disease, played his final show with Black Sabbath at Villa Park in his home city of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, where he had been living with his family. Osbourne, whose real name is John Michael Osbourne, co-founded his heavy metal band Black Sabbath in 1968. The band’s name came from its original bassist Geezer Butler, who was inspired by the 1963 horror film “Black Sabbath.”
In a statement given to The Algemeiner on Thursday, Ari Ingel – the executive director of the non-profit, pro-Israel organization Creative Community for Peace (CCFP) — praised the musician as “not only a pioneer in metal, but also a steadfast supporter of Israel and the Jewish people.” Osbourne has given support to several CCFP initiatives in the past. The organization is comprised of prominent members of the entertainment community who make an effort to combat antisemitism and cultural boycotts of Israel.
“Throughout difficult times, the Osbourne family has stood proudly with the Jewish people and showed unwavering solidarity,” Ingel added in his statement. “Leave it to Ozzy to be present and take part in his own epic tribute concert just weeks ago. That’s a true legend. Ozzy may be gone, but legends like him don’t die — they echo forever. As we honor his extraordinary legacy, CCFP sends its deepest condolences to Sharon, their children, and all who loved him. Our hearts are with the Osbourne family during this painful time. May his memory be a blessing.”
In October 2024, Osbourne signed a CCFP open letter condemning cultural boycotts of Jewish and Israeli authors and literary institutions. He performed in Israel twice – first with 2010’s Ozzfest in Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park and then in 2018 at Live Park in Rishon Lezion as part of his “No More Tours 2” tour. During his trips to the Jewish state, he visited Jerusalem’s Old City, the Western Wall, and Yad Vashem – The World Holocaust Remembrance Center.
When the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) aired a documentary in March that was accused of promoting Hamas propaganda and anti-Israel sentiments, Osbourne signed a CCFP open letter that called on the BBC to launch a full investigation into its “bias against Israel.”
In 2024, Osbourne wrote in a post on X that he turned down a request by rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, to sample a section of his song “Iron Man” because the rapper “is an antisemite and has caused untold heartache to many.” Osbourne said he wanted “no association” with Ye.
Sharon told Jewish News in December 2023 that “since the day we met,” Ozzy would ask her: “Why don’t people like Jews?” She added that the musician was “so confused” by antisemitism. She told The Jewish Chronicle last year that her father made sure Judaism was “at the heart of our household” and that the Jewish religion “is the only religion I have and the only one I’m comfortable with.”
The post Rock Legend, Black Sabbath Co-Founder Ozzy Osbourne Was a ‘Steadfast Supporter of Israel, Jewish People’ first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Author: Shiryn Ghermezian
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