The devastating news that Ozzy Osbourne has died landed Tuesday afternoon, and the rock world remains in a state of absolute shock. The metal pioneer had been in failing health for years, but he performed just 17 days ago at Black Sabbath‘s Back to the Beginning all-star tribute and was in great spirits that night.
As of now, there’s no word on how Osbourne died. “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,” his family said in a statement. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
The tiny silver lining to this tragedy is that the heavy-metal and hard-rock community was given a chance to show Osbourne just how much they loved him earlier in the month at the Back to the Beginning concert in Birmingham, England. The incredible lineup included Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Pantera, Slayer, Tool, Lamb of God, Billy Corgan, Steven Tyler, Tom Morello, Sammy Hagar, Anthrax, Alice in Chains, Zakk Wylde, and many others. Each played a handful of their own tunes along with Black Sabbath classics.
Near the end of the night, Osbourne appeared onstage in a leather chair and sang “I Don’t Know,” “Mr. Crowley,” “Suicide Solution,” “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” and “Crazy Train” with veteran members of his solo band. There were concerns beforehand about the state of his voice in light of his health issues, but he worked hard to prep for the night, and sounded incredible.
The concert wrapped up with Osbourne and the original Black Sabbath lineup taking the stage together for the first time in 20 years. This was a moment many metalheads thought they’d never see, considering the past bad blood with drummer Bill Ward, and the fact that Sabbath already played a farewell concert in 2017 at the end of their last tour. But ending the Sabbath legacy without the four original members was never going to be satisfying.
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Sabbath played “War Pigs,” “N.I.B.,” “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid,” while all the performers from throughout the evening watched from the wings. It would be impossible to script a better farewell performance for Ozzy.
The concert was live-streamed around the world and will come to movie theaters in early 2026. It’s The Last Waltz of heavy metal, and we’re all very lucky it took place.
