The co-founders of Black Sabbath paid tribute to their doomsayer-in-chief following the news of Ozzy Osbourne’s death at age 76 on Tuesday.
Guitarist Tony Iommi shared photos of Osbourne on stage, the pair embracing mid-performance, and of the band later in their career, writing: “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.” Iommi added, “Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother. My thoughts go out to Sharon and all the Osbourne family. Rest in peace Oz.”
In a separate post, bassist Geezer Butler looked back at their years growing up together in Birmingham, England. “Goodbye dear friend- thanks for all those years- we had some great fun,” he reminisced. “4 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 posted a photo booth-style photo of him and Osbourne, and wrote, “Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls, no, you’re forever in my heart.” He added: “Never goodbye. Thank you forever.”
Along with Osbourne’s bandmates, Black Sabbath shared a brief and simple message alongside a photo of the Prince of Darkness on his throne: “Ozzy Forever.”
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As news of Osbourne’s death spread, artists from across genres and generations paid tribute to the heavy metal pioneer, who collaborated and shared the stage with the likes of Slash, Elton John, Motörhead, and Madonna, as well as Busta Rhymes, Yungblud, and Post Malone.
“Didn’t think you would leave so soon,” Yungblud, who recently developed a close mentorship with the late artist, wrote on social media. “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 the things that we don’t.”
