Tributes have poured in from across the global music scene following the death of Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath, who passed away at the age of 76.
Black Sabbath co-founder Tony Iommi described the loss as that of a “brother,” while bassist Geezer Butler reflected on their emotional final performance together. Drummer Bill Ward paid homage by sharing a nostalgic photograph of the band in their early days.
Osbourne’s passing on Tuesday comes just weeks after Black Sabbath delivered their farewell concert in Birmingham, the city where their groundbreaking journey in heavy metal first began.
“He loved what he did, he loved music, he loved playing together, and I’m so glad we had the opportunity of getting together again to do the [farewell] show,” Iommi informed BBC Radio 4’s Today on Wednesday.
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“It was brilliant being with all the guys again, and the atmosphere, and it was brilliant for Ozzy because he really wanted to do that, he felt at home there and it was good for all of us.”
Renowned for his electrifying stage presence and often provocative performances, Ozzy Osbourne left an indelible mark on the music world, shaping generations of rock and metal artists.
Metallica paid a heartfelt tribute to the late singer, saying that words could not capture what Ozzy Osbourne meant to them. The band described him as a hero, icon, pioneer, inspiration, mentor, and above all, a true friend in their message on X.
Henry Rollins, the influential former frontman of hardcore punk band Black Flag, also reflected on Osbourne’s unmatched stature within heavy metal, stating that very few artists were so deeply tied to an entire genre. He noted that whenever heavy metal was mentioned, it started with Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath, adding that everyone else followed in his shadow.