Ozzy Osbourne’s bandmates from Black Sabbath have paid tribute to the frontman after his death at 76, just weeks after they reunited for a farewell gig in their home town, Birmingham.
Terence “Geezer” Butler, the band’s bassist, said he was “so glad” the band had reunited on 5 July to play their last show at Villa Park – a stone’s throw from where Black Sabbath formed in 1968 – and paid tribute to his friend.
“Thanks for all those years – we had some great fun,” he wrote on Instagram. “Four kids from Aston – who’d have thought, eh? So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.”
Tony Iommi, the band’s guitarist, paid tribute to his “dear dear friend”.
“It’s just such heartbreaking news that I can’t really find the words, there won’t ever be another like him,” Iommi wrote on Instagram. “Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother.”
Bill Ward, the band’s drummer, posted a photo of himself with Osbourne on social media, writing: “Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls … no, you’re forever in my heart.”
Osbourne’s death was announced by his family 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,” they said. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
Musicians and bands including Elton John, Ronnie Wood, Rod Stewart, Alice Cooper, Robert Plant, Metallica, Pantera and Anthrax were among those to pay tribute to Osbourne’s legacy on Tuesday.
Named after a Boris Karloff horror movie, Black Sabbath released their self-titled debut in 1970. They would become one of the most influential and successful metal bands of all time, selling more than 75m albums.
Osbourne recorded eight albums with the group but became so dependent on alcohol and drugs that he was fired in 1979, eight months after the recording of their album Never Say Die!. He was replaced by Ronnie James Dio.
Osbourne eventually returned to the band for the 2013 album 13, which topped the charts in the US and UK. Black Sabbath also went back on tour, playing what was billed as their final concert in Birmingham on 4 February 2017, before their 2025 reunion gig at Villa Park.
At this month’s show, Osbourne told fans that it was “so good to be on this stage” as he performed sitting on a large black throne.
“I’ve been laid up for six years, and you’ve got no idea how I feel,” he said, referring to extensive health problems including a form of Parkinson’s and numerous surgeries on his spine. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
