Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary singer and Black Sabbath frontman, has d!ed at the age of 76. Fans, fellow musicians, and industry legends have all paid tribute to him.
The music legend d!ed on Tuesday, July 22, following a long fight with Parkinson’s disease, which had made his health much worse in the last few years.
Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s wife, helped him accomplish his last dream just weeks before he d!ed: to go back to England for one last show.
The pair moved back to the UK earlier this year after residing in the US for decades.
Sharon, who is 72 years old, helped put together a benefit performance called Back to the Beginning. It took place on July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, Ozzy’s hometown.
Sky News says that the emotional event saw Ozzy take the stage one last time with his Black Sabbath colleagues and provide a strong closing performance that had the crowd of 42,000 stand up.
The concert made a lot of money for many charities—$189 million—and had great opening acts like Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax.
Sharon talked about why it was important to have the event at Villa Park in an interview with Music Business Worldwide. She stated, “We could only do it in Aston, where Ozzy was born and raised, right near the Villa ground.”
I thought of asking all the bands he’s ever worked with to play songs by Sabbath and Ozzy. It turned into a party for the music. People from all the generations that Ozzy and Sabbath have influenced gathered together.
The couple had planned to retire at their house in Buckinghamshire. In earlier interviews, Sharon talked about how excited Ozzy was to come home.
She told The Sun in February that he was quite excited to be coming back and very emotional about it. Parkinson’s disease gets worse over time; you can’t stop it from getting worse. His legs have been hurt, but his voice is still strong.
Sharon also intimated that she was ready to leave the public glare as well. Billboard said that she said, “I’m done. I’ve been doing this since I was 15.” We just want to live our lives without having to follow a plan.
Ozzy’s family published a touching statement on July 22 confirming his de@th: We are so sad to have to tell you that our dear Ozzy Osbourne d!ed this morning.
He was with his family and felt loved. Right now, we ask that everyone respect our privacy.
Tributes came in from all around the world very soon. Sir Elton John said, “I’m so sad to hear that Ozzy Osbourne has d!ed.” He was a great buddy and a major trailblazer. He was a real icon. One of the most hilarious people I’ve ever met. He will be missed very much.
Sir Rod Stewart said, “Goodbye, Ozzy.” Have a good night, my friend. I’ll see you up there, but not for a while.
Tony Iommi, the guitarist for Black Sabbath, also talked about how sad he was in an AP News article: I just can’t believe it. My wonderful, dear friend Ozzy d!ed just a few weeks after our gig at Villa Park. There will never be anyone else like him. Geezer, Bill and I have lost a brother. Oz, rest in peace. Osbourne’s de@th marks the end of an era, but his legacy as one of rock’s finest and most important figures will go on for a long time.