The world lost a legend on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, with thepassing of Ozzy Osbourne. A pioneer. A king. The Prince of Darkness. A true architect of heavy metal through his legacy with Black Sabbath and his unforgettable solo career. Ozzy was 76 years old.
He had been battling Parkinson’s disease since his 2020 diagnosis, along with complications from spinal injuries sustained in a 2018 accident. While his family has asked for privacy during this time, fans will forever remember the way he went out, on his own terms.
Just weeks before his death, on July 5, Ozzy took the stage one final time at Villa Park in Birmingham for Back to the Beginning, a monumental farewell that served as his last solo performance and final reunion with Black Sabbath. It was a historic sendoff, surrounded by adoring fans and fellow artists who were deeply inspired by him. Metallica, Tool, Slayer, Anthrax, and many more joined the event, paying tribute to the very band that helped birth an entire genre.
Though Ozzy is no longer with us, his spirit lives on through decades of music, iconic live shows, his reality TV legacy, and what’s still to come. His final memoir,Last Rites, is due this October. A documentary titledNo Escape From Now, chronicling his health struggles and the 2018 accident, is set to premiere on Paramount+ later this year. And in 2026, Back to the Beginning will receivea full theatrical release, allowing fans to relive that final night.
Ozzy may be gone, but his legacy is immortal.
Since the heartbreaking news, tributes have flooded social media from all corners of the globe. While it’s impossible to capture them all, we’ve compiled many powerful and heartfelt messages into one cohesive tribute, because Ozzy Osbourne deserves nothing less.
Bill Ward:
“Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls, no, you’re forever in my heart. Deepest condolences to Sharon and all family members. RIP Sincere regrets to all the fans. Never goodbye. Thank you forever. Bill Ward”
Tony Iommi:
“I just can’t believe it! My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park. It’s just such heartbreaking news that I can’t really find the words, there won’t ever be another like him. Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother. My thoughts go out to Sharon and all the Osbourne family. Rest in peace Oz. Tony”
Geezer Butler:
“Goodbye dear friend- thanks for all those years- we had some great fun. 4 kids from Aston- who’d have thought, eh? So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.”
Zakk Wylde:
“THANK YOU FOR BLESSING THE WORLD w/YOUR KINDNESS & GREATNESS OZ – YOU BROUGHT LIGHT INTO SO MANY LIVES & MADE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE – YOU LIVED w/THE HEART OF A LION – I THANK THE GOOD LORD EVERY DAY FOR BLESSING MY LIFE w/YOU IN IT –
“Thank you Ozzy. I loved every second I spent with you since 1990. We sure laughed about a lot of things. I’ll never not miss you. Glad we got to make some noise together one last time. Thank you for a wonderful life. #ozzyosbourne”
“Thank you for everything you have done for me, my family, my career, my musicianship, my love for music, for all the love & laughter on the many tours around the World. There are men, and there are great men…and then above them all, there’s @ozzyosbourne Love and the highest respect to Ozzy and the entire Osbourne family x”
When I reminisce about Ozzy’s and my times together, I think about the fun, the laughs and of course what we created together musically, which will live much longer than these mortal bodies that we inhabit.
My condolences to everyone who you’ve left behind, Ozzy. Nothing can change the true friendship that we once had; I’ll see you ‘on the other side.
“It’s with a very heavy heart that I say goodbye to my friend and brother, Ozzy Osbourne.
Ozzy wasn’t just a force in music—he was one of the most iconic and fearless artists to ever walk the stage. His voice, his presence, and his spirit were truly one of a kind. I had the honor of sharing the road and the stage with him, and I’ll always carry those memories close to my heart.
To his family, friends, and all the fans around the world who loved him—my deepest condolences. The world lost a legend, but his legacy will live on through every note, every lyric, and every heart he touched.
Rest in peace, Oz. You were larger than life, and your light will never fade.
—Tommy Aldridge”
Rudy Sarzo:
“I’m heart broken and speechless. My deepest condolences to the Osbourne family. God bless Ozzy ”
I will forever be grateful for Ozzy & Sharon Osbourne. Everything they did for my career and for me personally, I am forever in their debt.
My experiences with Ozzy are something I hold close and will forever cherish. With Ozzy, you could run through a gauntlet of emotions but what I remember the most were our crazy, fun times!
…and rocking next to him playing those incredible songs!
Unforgettable!!
Flying High, Bossman! I’m sure Randy is waiting to greet you…
My condolences go out to Sharon, his family, & to his million of fans worldwide.
“Still processing it. The finality of it hits me in waves. This was a text I got from him as I was sitting in an airport headed back home two weeks ago:
Hi jake im so sorry i couldnt spend more time with you on the weekend but it was really caotic ,i would really like to see you when i eventually get back TO LA just to shoot the shit its been so long since we saw each other , where have are you living these days , because the last thing i herd was you were living in Las Vegas . How did the gig go for you on Saturday i really hope you had fun anyway i will text you when i eventually get back to LA and we must hook up much love and respect OZZY”
Carmine Appice:
“Very sad about Ozzy’s passing He was a really nice guy. He will be missed. We had some great times together condolences to the Osborne family RIP my friend ❤️”
Phil Soussan:
“I am blindsided and very saddened on hearing of the passing of Ozzy today.
May he RIP.
We shared some amazing times and many moments together that will always remain as milestones in history for me.
Behind the charismatic Prince of Darkness image there was always a man of laughter, of practical jokes and of side splitting humor that complemented his legendary singing talent.
Those he influenced will carry his name and legacy far into the future.
My heartfelt condolences and love to his family and to his children, Aimee, Kelly and Jack.”
“It is with a heavy heart that I write this post to honor one of the greatest musical influences of my life. Ozzy and his music were foundational to me as a person and as a professional player, and playing alongside him is one of the greatest honors of my career. I have such fond memories of the time I spent with him. I’ll forever be grateful for the one on one time I had with him over morning coffee and listening to his stories. He was so supportive and always encouraged me to be me. His music is such a gift to the world and will forever live on. I will truly miss you Oz. My thoughts and my prayers are with Sharon, Aimee, Kelly, Jack, and Louis.”
“Dear Ozzy – Thank you for everything you’ve done for me – the advice, the precious memories and for the Music. You changed my life forever and I’ll never forget that.
As a guitar player, It was the highest honor in my career to record an album and tour the world with you for 7 years.
It’s impossible to put into words what Ozzy Osbourne has meant to Metallica. Hero, icon, pioneer, inspiration, mentor, and most of all, friend are a few that come to mind. Ozzy and Sharon believed in us and transformed our lives and careers. He taught us how to play in the big leagues while at the same time being warm, welcoming, engaging, and all around brilliant. We are heartbroken and devastated by this loss and send our love and condolences to Sharon and their family, bandmates, and his very large circle of friends. He left an incredible legacy and will be sorely missed.”
Anthrax:
“RIP Ozzy Osbourne – Like so many around the world, today’s news hit us with truly insane shock and sadness. Just over two weeks ago, we were all united in metal under Ozzy’s banner at Back to Beginning; celebrating the legend of Black Sabbath and their ultimate creation: heavy metal. For Anthrax to be a part of that was an honor. Ozzy, thank you for everything. Simply put, none of us would be us without you. Our thoughts are with Sharon and the Osbourne family at this time.”
Scott Ian:
“Peace, love and gratitude to one of the giants, one of the actual architects of the genre, one of the originals. The King. We were with him in Birmingham just over a week ago talking about how incredible Back to the Beginning was. Ozzy was in a great mood, laughing and cracking us up. This heartbreaking shared experience is palpable, like a disturbance in the force. Tonight we’re going to get together with friends and share stories. We love you Ozzy!!! All of our love is with the Osbourne family. Peace.”
“RIP @ozzyosbourne Thank you for all that you did for metal & Pantera. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Amy & Louis, we are so very sorry for your loss ❤️”
“Everyone connected with Iron Maiden sends their sincere condolences to Sharon & the Osbourne Family on the sad announcement of Ozzy’s passing. He helped shape heavy metal as we know it and we will be forever grateful to Black Sabbath for forging the path that so many followed. RIP Ozzy Osbourne.”
Lita Ford:
“Tonight we find ourselves in Wolverhampton just outside of Birmingham, England, Ozzy’s home town. It all seems so surreal. Close My Eyes Forever takes on a whole different meaning now.. Thanks for the great music through the years. Great rock stars never die. Rest In Peace Ozzy.”
Slash:
“It’s with a heavy heart that I mourn the passing of the great Ozzy Osbourne. I know a great many people cried all around the world at this profound loss. I’m with you. He was an awesome motherfucker. We all loved him dearly. I’ll miss him as a friend. & a pillar of the spirit of rock n roll. But I’m so happy Ozzy had that last show that we all could share with him, it truly meant the world to one of the greatest of all time. RIP #OzzyOsbourne iiii]; )’”
“I’ve been the king, I’ve been the clown Now broken wings can’t hold me down I’m free again
The jester with the broken crown It won’t be me this time around To love in vain
I say goodbye to romance, yeah Goodbye to friends, I tell you Goodbye to all the past I guess that we’ll meet, we’ll meet in the end
Like everyone else just hearing this breaking news, I’m in a state of sadness and shock.
For now, a few immediate thoughts:
* Without these two, Ozzy & Randy, life would look very different. The difficult years of pre-adolescence to young adulthood would have been less manageable without the spark, color and respite from teen angst provided by Ozzy – pre and post Randy but with Randy in particular, for whom I would not be the player/person I became (and I know that’s true for too many musicians to name). Images of Ozzy and Randy’s reunion in an afterlife is a small consolation * Although.unable to get to Birmingham for B2TB farewell concert. I was grateful for the footage and happy for so many who got to share Ozzy & Sabbaths official last concert, barely a couple weeks back. It can’t be denied: What a way to go out!!
*Although it was very brief, I got to spend a week or so in Ozzy’s orbit, during a transitional period. According to legend he’d been through many guitarists, post Zakk. Although I didn’t take part in the upcoming tour (and the guitarist who did was let go before there’d be another album) I was one of the only ones to play a live concert with him (Geez on bass, still pinching myself). It was pre-« The Osbournes » and regrettably, pre Smart Phone, so no pics or vids (sigh)…What an honor. Beyond grateful for the brief but profound memory
Rest in peace, Oz. You were maligned, vilified and feared by some but the world was a better place with you in it. Thanks for everything. Say hi to Randy for us ”
“Rock in Peace my friend, you played it loud , raw and loose. You set the tone and the high water mark for us all to aim at. You were always quick with a laugh and generous with your time and support . You gave us one of our first big breaks and shared a wonderful human being and bandmate with us. You fucking RAWKED and I’m so very grateful to have known you. My most sincere condolences to @sharonosbourne and family, @tonyiommi , @geezerbutler , @billwarddrummer . ”
“Ozzy gave me my start as a drummer in this business when I was just 17. That moment changed my life.
Fast forward to just a few months ago, and I had the honor of composing the orchestral score for what would become his final single — a full circle I never could have imagined.
Today, we lost a legend, an icon — but Ozzy was more than that. He was a force. A one-of-one, and a giant who gave me my shot.
“I had the great privilege of working with Ozzy in my studio for three months back in the 90s. He was sharp, he knew what he liked and knew what he didn’t like, he worked hard and he was absolutely the funniest person I ever met. I can’t imagine what the metal landscape would have been like if not for him.
Sharon was the air that he breathed. My deep condolences to the family.
You so delivered, dear Prince of Darkness. You were always filled with such a bright light, and we are grateful.”
“Tonight, we found out that the world lost Ozzy just minutes before going on stage in Cardiff, Wales, which is about 2 hours from the place where Ozzy was born. Before going on stage, Alice recorded the following quote for his radio show Alice’s Attic:
“Well, we all know that time is going to take us rockers, but when the giants fall, it’s really hard to accept. Even though everybody saw it coming with Ozzy, it just took our breath away when it happened. So Ozzy and family – your records and your music and your legend and all that you brought – the humor to the rock business – will live on forever and we’re gonna miss you man.”
Alice and his band then dedicated tonight’s show to Ozzy’s memory and they were able to celebrate along with the crowd who had also just learned of this great loss for rock n roll. Following the show, Alice summed up his thoughts by saying “The whole world is mourning Ozzy tonight. Over his long career, he earned immense respect among his peers and from fans around the world as an unmatched showman and cultural icon.
I always saw Ozzy as a cross between the prince of darkness, which is the persona his fans saw, and the court jester. That was the side that his family and friends saw. He was and will continue to be a rock n roll legend. Rock n Roll is a family and a fraternity. When we lose one of our own it bleeds. I wish I would have gotten to know my brother Ozzy better.
Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and the rest of the Ozzy brood – our prayers are with you tonight. A titanic boulder has crashed, but rock will roll on.“ Rest easy Ozzy and we’ll see you on the other side! – Alice, Sheryl, Chuck, Ryan, Tommy, Nita, Glen and our entire crew.”
“Sad to hear Ozzy died today. When I was in high school I discovered Sabbath. “War Pigs” was terrifying and mesmerizing at the same time. It was Ozzy’s voice that took me away to a dark universe. A great escape. Then when The ‘Blizzard of Ozz’ record came out I was instantly a fan. Randy Rhoads was an influence on me to play lead guitar. Luckily I got to play on the song “Immortal” on the last record. Thanks for the music, Ozzy it makes our journey in life better. Mike McCready”
Motley Crue:
“RIP @ozzyosbourne Thank you for all that you did for music and for Mötley Crüe. None of this would be the same if it wasn’t for you, and you will be missed. Our thoughts are with the Osbourne family. #ozzyosbourne #mötleycrüe”
David Ellefson:
The Alamo:
“We at the Alamo are saddened to hear of the passing of legendary musician Ozzy Osbourne. His relationship with the Alamo was marked initially by a deeply disrespectful incident in 1982. This act profoundly and rightfully upset many who hold this site sacred.
However, redemption and reconciliation eventually became part of his history as well. In 1992, Ozzy personally apologized to then-Mayor Nelson Wolff and expressed genuine remorse for his actions. Decades later, in 2015, he revisited the Alamo grounds to learn and appreciate the site’s profound history, openly demonstrating humility and understanding.
At the Alamo, we honor history in all its complexities. Today, we acknowledge Ozzy Osbourne’s journey from regret to reconciliation at the historic site, and we extend our condolences to his family, friends, and fans around the world. May he rest in peace.”
Playboy:
“Rest in peace, Ozzy Osbourne. The Prince of Darkness told PLAYBOY in October 2005: ‘When I do go, I don’t want there to be morbid fucking crying people. I want people to celebrate my life. Get me in the ground as soon as you can. You can cry all you want, but I ain’t coming back. I don’t think there are any fucking return tickets.’”
“In Memoriam: Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Black Sabbath in 2006 and again as a solo artist in 2024, Ozzy Osbourne was rock’s beloved Prince of Darkness. His instantly recognizable voice was urgent, raw, and sincere, and his notorious stage presence was hypnotic, with an inimitable ability to hype up every crowd. Ozzy’s vocals helped create the foundation of heavy metal on captivating Sabbath classics like “Black Sabbath,” “Paranoid,” and “Children of the Grave.” In his solo career, Ozzy’s distinctive delivery powered such hits as “Crazy Train,” “Bark at the Moon,” and “Mr. Crowley.” In 1996, he co-founded Ozzfest to promote newer metal and hard rock acts, winning over a younger generation and cementing his musical legacy as rock god.”
Rush:
“RIP Ozzy Osbourne:
Fearless.
One of a kind.
Played by no one’s rules.
“I remember listening to the first Sabbath album when it came out and thinking how ‘effin’ heavy’ Tony Iommi’s guitar sounded,” said Geddy Lee. “Ozzy and his bandmates were at the forefront of that genre, that brand of Metal, and Ozzy was an intensely loved, one of a kind performer.
We never got to play on the same bill with Black Sabbath, and in fact we only ever did one gig with Ozzy, at the Texxas Jam at the Cotton Bowl in June of 1984 (poster attached).
Rush recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales at the same time in the late 70’s and I recall Ozzy poking his head in the control room to ask if he could “borrow” some Hashish from Neil! For years afterwards, Neil relished telling the story of how “Ozzy owes me some hash”
Total respect to a legend and a band whose music profoundly influenced thousands of musicians and left behind a legacy for us all to “rock out” to forever.
RIP Ozzy
Photo: Ozzy and Sabbath at Rockfield 1977
Show Poster: Texxas Jam 1984
Classic Rock Awards L>R: Geezer Butler, Jimmy Page, Tony Iommi, Alex Lifeson, and Ozzy Osbourne
#ozzyosbourne”
PETA:
“Rest in peace, Ozzy Osbourne — a true legend. PETA will remember the “Prince of Darkness” most fondly for the gentle side he showed to animals. He’ll be missed by animal advocates the world over ❤️”
Trivium:
“Today, we learned of the passing of Ozzy Osbourne the same way many of you did — the band group chat. “Is it true?” “Is he gone?” The news hit us hard, especially coming so soon after the Back to the Beginning event. Like so many conversations in the world of heavy metal, Ozzy’s passing sparked instant reflection. We found ourselves talking about our favorite records — what’s the best Ozzy album? What’s the best Black Sabbath record? The debates, the memories, the influence — they all came rushing back.
For so many of us, hearing the kick drum of “Iron Man” and Ozzy’s unmistakable, haunting voice was the moment it all began. It was the hook — the spark that made us want to pick up guitars, basses, drumsticks, microphones. It made us want to be a part of this music, this energy, this global family that is heavy metal.
Because it really is a family. Whether we’ve met or not, there’s this unspoken bond between all of us who play and love this music — like distant relatives connected by a common bloodline. That bloodline is Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath.
We were incredibly lucky to be asked to join the 2005 Ozzfest. That moment defined us — it made Trivium. It put us in front of thousands of people across America and launched our band in a way we could never have imagined. We are forever grateful to Ozzy for that opportunity. To be billed under the mighty Black Sabbath banner gave us legitimacy and taught us what it means to truly play heavy metal.
Rest in peace, Ozzy. Thank you for everything.”
Oz Fox:
“I’m very sad to find out that the great Ozzy Osbourne has passed. I only wish I could have known him better. I’ll always be grateful for the years of his musical influence he bestowed. on us. I will always cherish the memory of shaking his hand right before he went on stage at Irvine Meadows in CA. Right after that I was able to share with his wife Sharon how much I admired him. I truly hope he had a Jesus moment in his last days because he was loved by so many. My deepest condolences to Sharon and the family”
Aerosmith:
“We’re heartbroken to hear about the passing of our brother in rock, Ozzy Osbourne. A voice that changed music forever. From Black Sabbath to his solo work, Ozzy redefined what it meant to be heavy. He did it all with heart, grit, and that wild spirit only he could bring.
Our love goes out to Sharon, his family, his band, and the millions around the world who felt his fire.
Rock on, Ozzy. You will be missed, but never forgotten!
– Aerosmith”
Elton John:
“So sad to hear the news of Ozzy Osbourne passing away.
He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods – a true legend. He was also one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love.
Elton xx”
Madison Square Garden:
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Ozzy Osbourne, “The Prince of Darkness” and founding member of Black Sabbath. Thank you for all the history and memories you made at The Garden ”
KoRn:
“Ozzy took us on our very first big arena tour. He and Sharon presented us with our first gold record. He taught us so much about the music industry, and we looked up to him. We love you forever, our Prince of Darkness. Thank you for all of the unforgettable memories and for paving the way. Sending our deepest love and condolences to the Osbourne family. – KoRn”
Foo Fighters:
“Rest in peace, Ozzy. And thank you for a lifetime of inspiration. Rock and Roll would not be as loud or as fun without you. You will be forever missed.
Our deepest condolences to the entire Osbourne and Sabbath family.”
Finger Eleven:
“We’ve gotten to do a lot of cool things in our career. But without a doubt, opening for Ozzy Osbourne across Canada was one of the absolute highlights. We were treated like gold by everyone on the tour. We got to meet Ozzy.
And we got a masterclass in stage performance every night. A dream come true. RIP OZZY
Fuckin’ legend. ”
Nonpoint:
“Hey all, Robb here.
Today we lost the godfather of heavy metal. Ozzy’s voice, presence, and legacy shaped everything we love about this genre. Black Sabbath laid the foundation—without them, there is no heavy metal. Period.
Ozzy made it okay to be loud, weird, and raw. When I first heard Black Sabbath and The Wizard, it changed me forever. As a drummer and a fan, I felt that music deep in my soul.
We may have never met, but his influence on me—and all of us—is undeniable. From N.I.B. to No More Tears, his voice will never fade.
Rest in Power, Ozzy Osbourne and thank you for everything you did for us and heavy metal.”
“I didn’t think you would leave so soon the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room. But as it is written with legends, they seem to know things that we don’t. I will never forget you – you will be in every single note I sing and with me every single time I walk on stage. Your cross around my neck is the most precious thing I own. You asked me once if there was anything you could do for me and as I said then and as I will say now for all of us the music was enough. You took us on your adventure – an adventure that started it all. I am truly heartbroken. You were the greatest of all time.”
Sammy Hagar:
“Ozzy Osbourne was and will always be a one of a kind true rock legend. For him to have been that close to death on July 5 and still get up there and perform like he promised… Wow! That puts him in a category of his own. Talk about commitment and loyalty to your fans. Nobody’s going to out-do that ever! RIP my brother, you did it all.”
Type O Negative:
“Type O Negative wishes to express our heart felt sorrow upon hearing of Ozzy’s passing and send our deepest condolences to the Osbornes. It’s simply not possible to imagine a world growing up without the incredible influence that Sabbath was. We were privileged to enjoy this brilliant music which will live in history forever. Thank you for everything. – Josh, Kenny and Johnny.”
Machine Head:
“We found out that Ozzy had passed away from Sky news 20 minutes before we walked on stage to the opening night of our European tour. In a state of sadness and shock we made the decision to forgo our usual opening setlist. Following our intro of Ozzy’s “Diary of a Madman” (that we’ve opened every Machine Head show with for the last 30+ years) we started the show with two Black Sabbath songs. “War pigs” and “Children of the grave”, everyone sang, everyone knew tonight meant something, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house There’s so much more to say about the power of the Ozzy’s songs, but for now, we’ll let his music do the talking. Our deepest condolences to Black Sabbath, Ozzy’s band, and the Osbournes – Robb”
Devin Townsend:
“From a young age, with my Diary of a Madman poster on the wall and a deep love for heavy metal, I was drawn—like so many of us back then—to Ozzy Osbourne in a big way.
The loss of Ozzy marks a paradigm shift in our genre—a moment that not only signals the end of an era, but in many ways reaffirms the spirit of heavy music by honoring the passing of one of its elder statesmen.
Ozzy Osbourne—along with his family, his body of work, and his legacy—has long been a beacon for kids like me. Without his influence, many of us might have taken a more conventional path instead of learning to protect the nonconformist within.
It’s with a heavy heart that we say goodbye. But in our gratitude for the path he carved, he becomes a living part of the music we continue to write.
Thank you, Ozzy.
Dev”
Nikki Sixx:
“So many amazing tributes rolling in about Ozzy.What a loss to music all around. But I wanted to share a little something private about how kind and sweet he was. My daughter Frankie set up a stand to sell duck tape wallets ( I know ) in and area both Ozzy and I used to live in called Hidden Hills California. I was standing there with my daughter and all of sudden, I hear Ozzy yelling my name. He wasn’t driving so he jumped out of the car and it was still slowly rolling and came running over to our little stand and asked what was going on. I told him and he laughed and said “Well then I’ll take them all”. That was Ozzy. I will forever be grateful he gave our little ratty band from Hollywood our first big break…Thank you for the music, your kindness and wicked wicked sense of humor. Journey well our friend.”
Michael Sweet:
“Many thoughts and prayers to the Osbourne Family He sang these lyrics on the “Master of Reality” album. I believe he believed God bless you Ozzy….. #ozzy #ozzyosbourne #God
“After Forever” Have you ever thought about your soul can it be saved? Or perhaps you think that when you’re dead you just stay in your grave Is God just a thought within your head or is he a part of you? Is Christ just a name that you read in a book when you were in school? When you think about death do you lose your breath or do you keep your cool? Would you like to see the Pope on the end of a rope do you think he’s a fool? Well I have seen the truth, yes I’ve seen the light and I’ve changed my ways And I’ll be prepared when you’re lonely and scared at the end of our days Could it be you’re afraid of what your friends might say If they knew you believe in God above? They should realize before they criticize That God is the only way to love Is your mind so small that you have to fall In with the pack wherever they run Will you still sneer when death is near And say they may as well worship the sun? I think it was true it was people like you that crucified Christ I think it is sad the opinion you had was the only one voiced Will you be so sure when your day is near, say you don’t believe? You had the chance but you turned it down, now you can’t retrieve Perhaps you’ll think before you say that God is dead and gone Open your eyes, just realize that he’s the one The only one who can save you now from all this sin and hate Or will you still jeer at all you hear, yes I think it’s too late”
Scorpions:
“After a Triumphant return to stage in his home town of Birmingham on July 5th 2025 ,the Iconic Godfather of Heavy Metal passed away yesterday morning,
Ozzy will live on forever in our hearts,,and will always remain the beloved Prince of Darkness for millions of fans around the planet….RIP Ozzy…..
Klaus,Rudolf,Matthias,Pawel & Mikkey”
Europe:
“Dear friends,
In the middle of our concert on Gotland, Sweden our tour manager passed us a note on stage.
It simply said:
OZZY HAS PASSED AWAY!
For a moment there our heart felt so heavy but as I told the audience we also felt that…..
OZZY and Sabbath had given us SO MUCH! Let’s remember the Melodies, the Riffs, the madness, the stories…
The unbelievably powerful inspiration and guidance.
NOTHING LIKE IT
// EUROPE”
Paul Stanley:
“We have lost a legend. From Sabbath to Blizzard and onward Ozzy has impacted countless bands and that will not end. KISS was humbled to be an opening band for Sabbath in the mid 70’s. Through decades I’ve known him, Ozzy has always been a kind and very funny soul. Fly high now.”
Ross Halfin:
“John Osbourne has left the stage – I cannot imagine a World without him. In the world I work in Ozzy is omnipresent . It will be so strange not to see him again, I honestly don’t know what to write …. So some photographs – ones that I like.”
Def Leppard:
“”Kinda lost for words here… we toured with Ozzy in 1981 & he, the band & Sharon were SO supportive… he always had time for a chat, took us under his wing & showed us how & how not to party… & played us the 2nd album months before it came out… he was funny, charming & I for one am eternally grateful to have had the chance to spend precious time with him over the years… all my love to Sharon & the kids… God bless you Ozzy x” – Joe”
T-Pain:
“Heartbroken by the news. I was blessed to be able to cover War Pigs and get your recognition. Ozzy Forever ”
“A true pioneer and legend of Heavy Metal is gone. R.I.P. Ozzy. I will never forget rambling down Paranoid, Iron Man and all the classics as a kid with my friends. Thank you for the great music. Tonight, this one goes to you.
– Santeri
The Prince of Darkness is gone. Diary of a Madman, Bark at the Moon, The Ultimate Sin, those records shaped my youth besides of legendary Black Sabbath days. Ozzy’s voice was pure magic. Thanks for everything, you’ll be never forgotten.
– Esa”
Duran Duran:
“What can you say about Ozzy? Whatever it is, it’s in a Brummie accent. Hard to imagine a world without him, Ozzy brought so much joy, humour and raw power to the world, in a life of many chapters. Ozzy was a cat who had way more than nine lives. Thanks for the ride Ozzy, love from the other Brummies.”
Mammoth @ Xfinity Theater:
“A beautiful tribute to Ozzy Osborne from @mammothwvh️”
Sabaton:
“RIP Ozzy. Without you, heavy metal might never have existed, and perhaps we would be doing something less fun with our lives. Who knows where we’d be without the incredible music you gave us. You’ve shaped so many lives and brought so much joy. Thank you for everything.”
Dani Filth:
“Thanks for everything Uncle Ozzy
First concert I ever attended, first Metal single I ever heard.
“Thank you, to the legend who always made Krunch worth it. Thank you for the rock, the irreverence and for teaching us that being authentic and original is always worth more.”
Doro:
“That was the first show I ever played with Ozzy and one of the best gigs of my life. It was always special to meet the Prince of Darkness. Ozzy, it was an honor to have known you. I will miss you. R.I.P.!
❤️ #Love, #Doro Pesch”
The Who:
“So very sad to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne yesterday. We send our love and condolences to his wife Sharon and to his family. Last night in Milan, after a brief hello to the crowd, Pete dedicated The Who’s opening number, ‘I Can’t Explain’ to Ozzy. Rest in peace, Ozzy. You were a true one-off.”
Foreigner:
“I am saddened to hear about Ozzy, we’d been through it all together since way back—good times, writing songs, having a laugh until dawn. He always had a wicked sense of humor and a kind heart. They live and sing amongst us and leave as we met them…a star. My deepest heartfelt condolences to Sharon and the family, who were his rock. It meant a lot, that night we both got into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame together—hard to believe, really. Just glad we got to share that. – Mick Jones”
Cattle Decapitation:
“Goodnight and thank you, dear sir. Rest in peace Ozzy Osbourne.”
Phil Collins:
“In happier times, love always PC x”
Cyndi Lauper:
Cyndi Lauper paid tribute to Ozzy by singing along to “Crazy Train” during her concert on July 22nd in Raleigh, North Carolina.
King Diamond:
““You will be with us long After Forever”
Rest in peace Ozzy..
– King Diamond”
Hellish Torment:
“Like all of you we are saddened by the loss of one true legend. Rest in peace Ozzy. I am glad I got to see Ozzy and Black Sabbath perform at least once. -The Soulbutcher”
Triptykon:
“No farewell would outlast the resonance…
RIP Ozzy Osbourne.”
Benighted:
“Goodbye, father of music and so many bands ❤️”
Witherfall:
“Thank you @ozzyosbourne for the decades of music and the countless songs, memories and madness.”
Benediction:
“Rip Ozzy…Brummie Legend.”
Marty Friedman:
“Ozzy is one of the very few guys who consistently kept his fans happy with his music in seven (!) decades. All the while bringing worldwide attention to the absolutely incredible guitarists he so carefully chose.
When I see someone who, despite being very successful early on in his career, continues to make the effort to go out there, make sacrifices, and bust his balls to entertain people, when he could be doing dozens of other less stressful things with his life, it fills me with immense gratitude.
Think of all the things he gave up to rock for us for so long.
With a career like that, Ozzy has many eras of his music, eras that each and every one of us has our own opinions and preferences about.
So let`s celebrate Ozzy`s unique contribution to our music lives. In the comments, let us all know what your favorite era/album/concert/etc. is.
I`ll start–
Everything from Master of Reality through Technical Ecstacy is far and away my favorite era of his career, I love all those albums completely, with Sabotage and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath only slightly edging out the others.
What`s yours?”
The Whisky:
Kadavar:
“RIP Ozzy. There will never be another. We feel truly honoured to have shared a stage with you once. Travel safe.”
System of a Down:
““If you can see my face and my eyes in this pic you can see that I felt like I was in a dream. That’s because as a kid Ozzy was such a big deal for me he actually appeared in my dreams. I was only 22 or 23 yrs old when this pic was taken, so I was still a kid. But I was living my dream standing next to the guy I idolized my whole life. RIP Ozzy. You meant everything to me.” – Daron Malakian
“I’m heartbroken and speechless. Condolences to the Osbourne family. Rest in Peace my friend.” – Shavo Odadjian
“Ozzy was our musical Godfather inducting us into the world of Ozzfest as a young band. He was always funny with a disdain for hypocrisy, a quality I will forever admire and cherish.” – Serj Tankian
“He made fun of me for wiping sitting down, my fondest memory of this kind man who was an icon.“
– John Dolmayan”
Evanescence:
“Thank you for the inspiration, the joy, the magic in the darkness. Forever grateful we got to share the stage. We’ll be blasting your music in the dressing room just like always as we get ready for every show! You’re a true legend, Ozzy. You will be missed.”
“Whether we were in our basements with our brothers, in the woods with our buddies, in the car, at a keg party, on a boat, at football practice, at a sleepover….Nobody was more badass to crank up on our speakers than the one and only prince of darkness – Ozzy Osborne! Loved him a lot like we all did! Sending love to the family and so happy to have spent time with the legend himself. RIP”
“The loss we feel today is immeasurable. Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath created heavy metal…and with it, they created a world in which generations of people could feel accepted and welcome…safe and free to be their authentic selves knowing that they won’t ever be alone. Ozzy changed the world…and for millions of people all over the world, it’s nearly impossible to imagine where we might be if he hadn’t.
So even as we mourn his passing, we celebrate his life. What a life it was! And how generously Ozzy and his family shared it with us!
On a more personal note, the entire Osbourne family was instrumental in helping support and guide the early stages of Lamb of God’s career…they always believed in us. We are forever grateful….for the support and love they’ve shown us…and most of all for the music they’ve given to all of us.
We love you Ozzy. ❤️”
Gary Holt:
“Been reflecting on what this man meant to all of us. My drummer Tom Hunting said it best. He was the John Lennon of our music, for us metal heads and heavy rockers. And has any one man ever done more for guitar players? He elevated guitar players into the guitar hero. Let them shine. Willingly gave them a giant share of the spotlight. Discovered legends. @lisaholt777 were so moved by the show itself we had already been planning tribute tattoos to commemorate the day. Takes in a whole new meaning now. All the memories of so many shows( at my age, I’m thankful there were a lot) and I remember listening to him and Randy that first time with my old bandmate @kirkhammett and being blown away completely. I remember dropping acid and purposely blacking out the room with my friends and cranking Masters of reality front to back( we were a little odd to say the least!) Our hero has gone but the music and to sort of quote Metallica, the memories remain. So fortunate to have been there for the last show. I will never forget it”
“RIP @ozzyosbourne . Thank you for the years of life changing music and for letting me be a part of back to the beginning. LEGEND. It was an honor to play your song Sincerest Condolences to his family friends and band mates ”
“Thanks to the Prince of Darkness for the music and the memories. Remembering our friend Ozzy Osbourne. ”
Aborted:
“Rest easy, Prince of Darkness. An Icon has left us, one of the originators of all the music we hold dear. You will be missed by many, and live on forever in all our hearts.”
MTV:
“We’re deeply saddened to learn that rock & roll icon Ozzy Osbourne, famously known as the Prince of Darkness, passed away this morning. Our hearts are with his family, loved ones, and many dedicated fans during this time. We know his legacy will live on through music-lovers around the world.”
Slipknot:
“All our love to the Osbournes.”
Marilyn Manson:
The shockrocker shared a heartfelt post via stories. The Rock N Roll Experience Facebook page caught a screenshot:
Bret Michaels:
“As I raise the rock horns towards the heavens, tonight’s show with Def Leppard in Saratoga Springs, as well as all the shows this week, will be dedicated in loving memory of Ozzy Osbourne and the loss of one of the greatest rock legends to ever live…and to my friend Sharon Osbourne and the entire Osbourne family, sending my deepest condolences. Ozzy, may you forever rest in peace and thank you for rocking our world.”
Judas Priest:
Lordi:
“An undisputed legend of heavy metal has left this realm, it’s sad and surprising. Remembering the summer of 2007, when we were honored to join Ozzfest and every night on that tour we got the chance to witness his set. Funny memories, he sneaked in to our dressing room while I was putting on the makeup. “It’s not my room, is it?” “Nope…” I replied. “Can I stay here?” he asked. “Absolutely, it is my honor and pleasure” I said. What a strange and dreamlike experience that was for me, having Ozzy looking at me putting on the face through the mirror, just chatting casually from the sofa behind me. Soon, a gigantic bodyguard, or personal trainer, or an assistant or whatever, opened the door and said: “Mr. Osbourne, you’re in the wrong room, please come with me”. And then he left a bit unwillingly. Moments later when I walked out to have a smoke, I saw him on his exercise bike next door, nodding a sweaty hello. Seemed that he just wanted to escape the workout, hahaha! It was hot as hell everyday and he told us when we were ready to hit the stage: “don’t melt, guys, don’t melt!” So, farewell to the prince of darkness, and don’t melt!”
Jason Momoa:
“Love you @ozzyosbourne All my aloha @sharonosbourne and ohana. So grateful. RIP”
“R I P Ozzy Proud to have known you,, gonna miss you being here physically,,, much love to Sharon, Ozzys kids, and all his family and friends. FLAVOR FLAV”
“The members of Tool wish to express their deepest sympathy to the passing of Ozzy Osbourne. Needless to say, he was an iconic figure on the music scene for decades and influential figure to many musicians that listened to and appreciated his great contributions to rock music. Truly a legend.”
Katatonia:
“Thank you Ozzy for being one of the very inventors of the music that we love and that we play. We owe you a lot! Rest easy.”
Ronnie Wood:
“I am so very sad to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne What a lovely goodbye concert he had at Back To The Beginning in Birmingham☀️❤️”
Dimmu Borgir:
“Thank you for the music, RIP Ozzy”
Ice T:
“RIP Ozzy. Right after the recent huge Black Sabbath final concert. Sad.. In my opinion the Creators of Heavy Metal ”
“In 1970 when I was hating life at my strict Catholic high school, Black Sabbath was one of the bands that I listened to consistently to temporarily take me away from all the crap I was experiencing. I knew every lick & solo from those first two records and it was a major part of the background of my existence at 16 and beyond.
Who knew that a mere 13 years later I would not only meet Ozzy, but tour with his band throughout Europe in 1983.
Ozzy was, for all of us in Y&T, an icon. And more than that, he surpassed my expectations of him. A kind fellow with a great sense of humor, and a true gentleman that I was proud to be associated with on tour.
He did what he always did: gave his all at every performance and rocked every crowd to the fullest. I believe he never stopped that commitment and love for his craft, which puts him in the top ten of my personal rockers hall of fame.
We will all miss him but have a huge collection of songs and memories to continue enjoying his legacy.
Jill took this picture backstage in Munich, Dec 12, 1983 – my 30th birthday.
“What a talent and what an impact on me and so many others that found it him a thriving misfit with the voice of the grimy blood in our darkest vein. He was circus and theatre and love and loyalty and the everyman’s talent. #willmissyouozzy #endofanera”
“We lost our dear, dear friend today. Ozzy was a pioneer, a guiding force for all in hard rock and heavy metal, and a great guy too. Lemmy and Ozzy were brothers in arms who enjoyed many adventures together over the decades, and his loss is seismic. Rest peacefully Ozzy, we will always love and celebrate you…”
Black Sabbath:
While this collection of tributes may seem extensive, it only scratches the surface. Countless more continue to pour in from around the world. None of us would be where we are without you, Ozzy. Your legacy shaped generations. Thank you for everything.
More Added:
William DuVall
“This is surreal. I said most of what I needed to say in my post right after the Aston gig a couple of weeks ago. Again, what an honor to be a part of his last hurrah. Love to Sharon Osbourne and the family. Love to Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward and to all the members of his solo bands through the years. Salute to all his fans around the world. This man was rightfully adored. An unbelievable run with a PERFECT exit.”
Hatebreed:
“Still doesn’t feel real that @ozzyosbourne is gone. We love you Ozzy. You changed all of our lives for the better. Thank you Ozzy @sharonosbourne & co. for everything! Metal would not be what it is today without you! So many great line ups, so many fun summers. Ozzfest forever! “
Opeth:
”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″
Jonathan Davis:
“This man ment the world to me. He was one of my musical hero’s and did so much for me personally and for korn. I’m going to miss our little chats. My heart goes out to @sharonosbourne and the family. Rest in peace my brother. Your memory and what you have done for music will live forever “
“I’m having trouble processing this, and I’m sure I will for some time to come. We shared decades of friendship and laughter together and the man understood me and knew me like most never could. He always listened, even when you didn’t think he was ……. and then he’d drop a pearl of wisdom or tell you a truth you hadn’t thought of ……. I felt his love when I was with him, and when we were on opposite sides of the planet. And he made millions of people happy. Connected a whole world through his music. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye Ozzy, but I guess we never are. My thoughts and my love are with Sharon, Jack, Kelly and Aimee.”
“This one was for Ozzy // Last night in Ridgefield WA”
Gene Simmons:
Lars Ulrich:
“Thank you Ozzy
Thank you for your music, your inspiration and your attitude
Thank you for believing in a bunch of outsiders and for everything that you did for us along the way
Thank you for always inviting us to the party
Thank you for being you !!!
Rest in peace”
“Heaven gained another star! Thank you for helping me start Soulfly! Thank you for taking me around the world! Rest in Power, Legend!”
The Offspring:
Trouble:
“John Michael Osbourne
(12/3/1948 – 7/22/2025)
I know we all felt a loss at the passing of Ozzy. I actually went home right after I found out, because I was shocked and upset. As Tony Iommi said,”He just played the Black Sabbath show with us 2 weeks ago.” I wasn’t quite ready for this.
If you are anything like me, you felt like you knew Ozzy, even if you never met him. My “relationship” with Ozzy began during the summer of 1972. I was 11 years old and heard the first Black Sabbath album. My friends and I were blown away, because we had never heard anything like it before. The music was dark, foreboding and thick while the vocalist was eerie and almost scary sounding, with a one of a kind voice.He would always have a one of a kind voice. When I got a little older and really understood things like singing melodies,I realized just how good Ozzy really was. He was a master at creating great melodies. Who could ever sing the song Black Sabbath like him? Nobody! Who could sing War Pigs like him? Nobody! I was listening to Revelation (Mother Earth) from the Blizzard of Ozz album while I was writing this and the melody is dark, but beautiful at the same time. I could go on and on about all the great melodies he’s recorded, but there are other things to talk about.
I have said many times that Black Sabbath changed my life. Even though I’m a guitar player myself, Ozzy was every bit as important as Tony, Geezer, or Bill to me. I actually probably gravitated to Ozzy more than any of them.In the 70’s I even got a suede leather shirt that had long fringes hanging from the arms just like Ozzy. In 1978 I finally got to see Black Sabbath live at the International Amphitheatre in Chicago. I thought they were great and could swear that Ozzy looked out right at me a couple of times ( even though I was 30 rows back. haha). About 10 years ago a friend gave me a bootleg CD recording of that very show I was at in Chicago in 1978. I was so pleasantly surprised that it sounded exactly as I remembered and was pretty great.
In the early days of Trouble we followed Ozzy to his eventual release of Blizzard of Ozz. All of us were big fans and we used to play part of Revelation (Mother Earth) into Steal Away(the Night) when we were still playing cover songs. We all went to see Ozzy at his first show in Chicago for the Blizzard of Ozz tour. It was a sold out full blown party at the Aragon Ballroom and about 10 or 12 of us were 5th row center to see Ozzy and Randy Rhoads mesmerize us. We all went to see them again on the Diary of a Madman tour before Randy died. This was music that was a huge influence on us at the time.
Years later I had become friends with Mike Bordin, who played drums with Faith No More and then also played a number of years with Ozzy.Mike was a big Trouble fan and he told me about the night that he played Trouble for Ozzy. He told Ozz that there is this great band on Rick Rubin’s label…listen to this… He then played At the End of My Daze and when it got to the chorus part Ozzy said,” That sounds like f***ing Hole in the Sky!” That made me laugh and I’m just glad that he heard us.
I always appreciated Ozzy’s unique personality and talent, which leads us to the final Black Sabbath show, along with Ozzy’s solo era set just 3 weeks ago. It was bittersweet, but was great how so many big name musicians showed up to pay tribute. I heard that Ozzy broke down crying backstage after the show. I understand why. He gave his whole life for his music and his fans and he knew it was over. Maybe he already knew that life was almost over.
I feel like I have left out so many of the important things that Ozzy has done to make us feel close to him. It’s been a lifetime for many of us and it feels like we lost a family member, or a close friend.
I know that I speak for everyone in Trouble when I say that we will miss Ozz and may he rest in peace with no more pain and No More Tears.
Bruce Franklin”
Rob Zombie:
“This is one of my absolute favorite music videos I ever got to direct. We had a great time working together and I think it turn out beautiful. Sharon said this is Ozzy’s Imagine. The only thing they asked for was an orchestra of children as black angels in the video. The rest was up to me Rest In Peace OZZY”
Deep Purple:
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our dear friend Ozzy… Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans around the world. – Deep Purple”
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“
// Last night in Ridgefield WA”
