On July 22, heavy metal icon andreality TV superstar Ozzy Osbournedied at the age of 76. The “Into the Void” singer and father of six passed away from an unknown cause but had been battling a string of health issues for many years, including Parkinson’s disease. And as the former Black Sabbath frontman’s family, friends, and legions of fans mourn his untimely passing, many are looking back at his stupendous career, which spans over several decades, and his contribution to music. Additionally, some of his most famous friends and colleagues, such as the Black Label Society’s guitaristZakk Wylde, are revealing their final moments with the King of Darkness, which comes on the heels of his very public and emotional memorial.
Heavy Metal Guitarist Reveals the Final Text Message He Got From Ozzy Osbourne
On July 30, thousands of devoted fans lined up in the streets of Ozzy Osbourne’s native Birmingham, England, to watch his funeral procession and pay their respects to the star. But a few weeks before his untimely passing,Osbourne was performing a farewell showbefore an adoring crowd of over 40,000. Due to his fragile health, Osbourne sang alongside his bandBlack Sabbath, who reunited for the first time in nearly 20 years, in a crown-shaped chair. The performance, which was attended by other rock music legends such asGuns N' RosesandMetallica, also saw Osbourne emotionally address the crowd by saying, “You’ve no idea how I feel - thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
And now, a guitarist for Osbourne, who performed at his final show, and is a heavy metal performer in his own right,Zakk Wylde, is revealing the surprising final moments he shared with the “Into The Void” singer. “Everybody and their mother were in the backstage dressing room, and I just wanted to give him a break,” Wylde revealed in arecent interview with Guitar World. “I figured we’d see him later on – the next day or whatever. But no. The last text I got from Oz was saying, ‘Zakky, sorry, it was like a madhouse back there. I didn’t see you.’ He goes, ‘Thanks for everything.’ It was just us talking, saying, ‘I love you, buddy.’ That was it.” He added that the last time he saw Osbourne was just after the latter got off-stage. Wydle also reflected on his working and personal relationship with Osbourne, which spanned several decades, adding that he was like an older brother to him. “There was almost a 20-year age gap between us,” he told the outlet. “With our relationship, there was the fun drinking – but if I ever needed advice, I could talk to him.”
Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Performance Gives New Meaning to “Mama I’m Coming Home”
Ozzy’s final performance was a touching tribute to the singer.
Artists Come Out to Reveal Their Final Moments With Ozzy Osbourne
Zakk Wylde is not the only musician who has come out to share their moments with Ozzy Osbourne. Artists like Lzzy Hale, whose bandHalestormwas one of the groups chosen as a supporting act for Obsourne’s final show,recently revealed to People Magazinehow she felt about the heavy metal icon as well as his final moments. “There was a point when we were all clapping and crying, and he was trying to get out of that throne, trying to stand up,” said Hale. “That’s the beauty of music. I bet you that he could fly in that moment. I think that this was exactly how he wanted to end that chapter.” Hale added that she gets emotional whenever she reflects on Osbourne’s final performance and that the other people who attended the concert got emotional as well. She said that it was one of the most amazing experiences she has ever had and doesn’t think anything like that can be replicated on the stage again.
Additionally, according to sources close to Osbournespeaking to PageSix,the rocker was in good spirits in the weeks leading to his death.“It energized him — it filled him with life,” one source stated. “He’d really been slowing down, and then after the show he was really back to being himself. It’s a beautiful ending.” The source reflected that “They couldn’t have asked for a better ending,” said the insider. In addition to doing something he loved, Osbourne’s final performance was also a benefit concert to help raise money to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease, one of the many ailments he suffered from. The concert raised over $200 million.
