Ozzy Osbourne has been remembered as a “pioneer,” a “fearless talent” and a “dear friend,” in an outpouring of tributes from fellow musicians and his former Black Sabbath bandmates following his death on Tuesday at the age of 76.

Ozzy Osbourne, the heavy metal legend who dominated rock for decades as a solo artist and member of Black Sabbath, has died at the age of 76.

Ozzy Osbourne, frontman of 1970s heavy metal band Black Sabbath, earned his infamy biting the head off a bat on stage and pursuing a drug-fuelled lifestyle before reinventing himself as a loveable if often foul-mouthed reality TV star.