The passing of Ozzy Osbourne continues to send waves of grief through the global metal community. From heartfelt personal reflections to public tributes on massive stages, the love and respect for the Prince of Darkness keep pouring in. Whether it’s through a touching message from his daughter Kelly, a somber Black Sabbath cover by Opeth, or a breathtaking drone display at Wacken Open Air, the metal world is finding powerful ways to honor Ozzy’s legacy.
Osbourne passed away on July 22nd, 2025, just weeks after his Final Bow, his last performance as a solo artist and with Black Sabbath. A public funeral procession was held on July 30th, followed by a private burial on July 31st, where a few fellow musicians were seen in attendance. As tributes continue to surface, we’re doing our best to keep up. Here are three that we found especially moving:
01) Kelly Osbourne shares emotional tribute via Instagram
The world continues to mourn the loss of Ozzy Osbourne. While it’s been a heartbreaking few weeks for fans, for Kelly Osbourne, the grief is deeply personal; she’s mourning not just a public legend, but her father. In times like these, public support can be a source of comfort. Everyone grieves differently: some choose to stay private, while others find solace in shared connection. Of Ozzy’s six children, Kelly is one of the two who have remained in the public spotlight, aside from Aimee’s rare appearance at Ozzy’s public funeral procession. Kelly has been using Instagram Stories to help cope with her grief. Her latest post offers a heartfelt glimpse into the pain of losing someone irreplaceable, a feeling many can relate to. Shared via Instagram Stories on Monday (4th), Kelly wrote:
” Ozzy Osbourne · See You on the Other Side
“I’ve sat down to write this a hundred times and still don’t know if the words will ever feel like enough… but from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
The love, support, and beautiful messages I’ve received from so many of you have truly helped carry me through the hardest moment of my life. Every kind word, every shared memory, every bit of compassion has meant more than I can ever explain.
Grief is a strange thing—it sneaks up on you in waves—I will not be ok for a while—but knowing my family are not alone in our pain makes a difference. I’m holding on tight to the love, the light, and the legacy left behind.
Thank you for being there. I love you all so much.
– Kelly ✨
#BirminghamForever
#OzzyForever”
02) Opeth pay tribute to Ozzy with Sabbath cover at Beyond The Gates
Opeth paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne by covering Black Sabbath’s “Solitude” during their Friday (1st) set at the Beyond the Gates festival in Bergen, Norway. The heartfelt rendition, captured by fans, is now available to watch below. The performance follows a personal tribute from guitarist/vocalist Mikael Åkerfeldt, who shared a message featured in our in-depth tribute collection Honoring Ozzy. In his post, Åkerfeldt wrote:
”So that dreadful day finally came. John Michael Osbourne has left us, and it’s so incredibly hard to accept it. Even if I have braced myself for this inevitable fact since the 80’s it just feels completely unreal.
He was like an ancient oak tree to me. A listed tree that people would visit and marvel at.
Ozzy came into my life in the late 70’s/early 80’s (I can’t remember exactly, I admit) when I heard ”Iron man” on a cassette player in Sörskogen/Huddinge/Stockholm. I was just a child, and “that” voice in the beginning scared the living daylights out of me. Black Sabbath was my introduction to heavy rock/metal and has remained a lifelong companion since. I’ve read some posts from other musicians and can only concur. If it wasn’t for Ozzy and Black Sabbath my interest in music (as a whole) wouldn’t have taken off as it did. I became obsessed with them, and I suppose I still am.
I’ve never talked to Ozzy myself. The closest engagement I had with him was when he shuffled past me at an award show and kinda bumped into me. I remember thinking ”this might become my only Ozzy story”. He felt that illuminated and untouchable just walking past. I kept looking for him around the room but I never got the chance to speak to him again. We have played with Black Sabbath and Ozzy on a few occasions but I’ve been too shy and starstruck to search him up. Besides his entourage and private quarters made sure that no-one would be able to come close.
There’s so much to be said about his musical wealth which he showered on the world of music, but I’d only repeat what countless others have already said. All I know is that the world is a lesser place without him around. The beacon that was Ozzy Osbourne has gone dark and silent. Luckily, his music remains for our eternal enjoyment, and for that I am so grateful.
Now, all that remains is to actually understand and accept that this is real. It happened! It’ll be an emotional marathon of sorts in order to get there, but what else can we do than try?
Our warmest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues
Mikael Åkerfeldt, July 24, 2025″
03) Wacken Open Air honors Ozzy with drone tribute
On Saturday night (2nd), Germany’s Wacken Open Air paid tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne with a moving drone display above the main stage. Merkur.de reports, as the sky lit up with the message “Ozzy, we love you,” fans were met with a powerful soundtrack featuring Osbourne’s “Mama, I’m Coming Home” followed by Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid.” Large screens displayed images of Ozzy throughout the tribute, offering a heartfelt farewell to the Prince of Darkness.
