The heavy metal world is mourning the loss of a true icon. On Tuesday, Black Sabbath paid tribute to their legendary frontman, Ozzy Osbourne, following news of his passing at age 76 — just weeks after their historic reunion in Birmingham.
The band shared a striking black-and-white photo from their Back to the Beginning concert earlier this month, accompanied by just two words: “Ozzy forever.”
It was a brief but powerful message that said everything fans were feeling — that Ozzy’s spirit, voice, and influence will live on forever in the DNA of heavy metal.
Bandmates Remember a Brother
While the official Black Sabbath account honored Ozzy with quiet reverence, his longtime bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward each took to social media with personal, deeply emotional tributes to the friend and bandmate they spent a lifetime beside.
Tony Iommi, the band’s guitarist and Ozzy’s closest creative partner, expressed his heartbreak:
“I just can’t believe it! My dear, dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park. It’s such heartbreaking news that I can’t really find the words. There won’t ever be another like him. Geezer, Bill and I have lost our brother.” He added his thoughts and love to Sharon and the entire Osbourne family: “Rest in peace, Oz. – Tony.”
Geezer Butler, Black Sabbath’s bassist, offered a nostalgic and heartfelt farewell:
“Goodbye, dear friend — thanks for all those years. We had some great fun. Four kids from Aston — who’d have thought, eh? So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.”
Drummer Bill Ward, often the most poetic of the group, shared a message filled with grief and warmth:
“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 the family. Never goodbye. Thank you forever.”
A Final Reunion, A Bittersweet Goodbye
Ozzy’s passing comes less than three weeks after the original Black Sabbath lineup reunited onstage for the Back to the Beginning concert in their hometown of Birmingham, England. Held at Villa Park on July 5, the show marked the first time Osbourne, Iommi, Butler, and Ward had performed together since 2005.
The reunion, attended by 42,000 fans, was a triumphant celebration of the band’s origins — and, now, a poignant farewell to the voice that defined an era. Ozzy also performed a solo set that night, joining a lineup of rock royalty including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Pantera, and Slayer — all of whom paid tribute to Sabbath’s towering influence.
The Osbourne Family Statement
Ozzy’s family confirmed the news with a touching message released on Tuesday:
“It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love.”
The family also asked for privacy, signing the statement with love from Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee, and Louis.
The Rock World Reacts
Tributes flooded in from across the music world. Elton John, who collaborated with Ozzy on the 2020 ballad “Ordinary Man,” shared a heartfelt message:
“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.”
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 pic.twitter.com/2HSaIZfkX2
From the grimy streets of Aston to the biggest stages on Earth, Ozzy Osbourne forged a path few could follow. As the frontman of Black Sabbath, he helped invent a genre. As a solo artist, he kept pushing boundaries. And as a human being, he inspired generations with his resilience, humor, and unrelenting spirit.
