Photo Credit: ToneDeaf
Bandmates Honor Heavy Metal Icon
Marking the one-year anniversary of Ozzy Osbourne’s passing, his former Black Sabbath bandmates and family members shared moving tributes honoring the heavy metal legend’s life and legacy.
The reflections were shared across social media, where the surviving original members of the pioneering group looked back on their final hometown reunion performance in Birmingham, England.
Reflections from Black Sabbath
Drummer Bill Ward expressed the deep void left by Osbourne’s death:
“Every day, there is a persistent silence,” Ward wrote on X. “We miss you so much, Respectfully, with love to the Osbourne Family, Bill and Jackie Ward Family.”
Bassist Geezer Butler posted a classic photo of Osbourne seated on his bat throne:
“One year ago today – hard to believe,” Butler captioned. “I am so glad we were able to do the final show, back in our hometown, just a couple of weeks before Ozzy left us. Gone in body, but his legend lives on. Such incredible memories. Ozzy forever!”
Guitarist Tony Iommi shared video footage of Osbourne performing, noting how unreal his absence still feels:
“I watch him on YouTube and it feels like he’s still here with us,” wrote Iommi. “We always stayed in touch, almost every week or so and we’d usually talk about our ailments and then about what we’d been doing that particular week… I’m so glad that we were able to play one final show with the original line up of Sabbath at the Back To The Beginning show in our home town of Birmingham! There will never be another Ozzy. I miss you my dear friend.”
Family Tributes
In addition to his bandmates, Ozzy’s daughter Kelly Osbourne shared a poignant statement reflecting on the enduring grief experienced by those closest to him:
“There is a grief that steals more than the person you love,” Kelly wrote. “It quietly takes the light from your laughter, the innocence from your hope, and the stranger you become is someone you’ll spend a lifetime trying to recognize. People think grief is missing someone who is gone, but the deepest sorrow is waking each day longing for the version of yourself who died with them.”
For a look back at news coverage honoring the Prince of Darkness and his immense musical legacy, watch this Ozzy Osbourne Remembrance Broadcast, which highlights key milestones throughout his career with Black Sabbath and as a solo artist.
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