Ozzy Osbourne's longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde reveals emotional final text message from late rocker
The Prince of Darkness' longtime guitarist shared the last words they ever exchanged just weeks before Osbourne's death on July 22 at the age of 76.
Wylde, 58, said their emotional text conversation took place after Black Sabbath's farewell concert in Birmingham, England, on July 5, marking what became the heavy metal legend's last performance of his lifetime.
14 Ozzy Osbourne and Zakk Wylde.
Redferns
14 British musician Ozzy Osbourne (left) and American guitarist Zakk Wylde perform at the Poplar Creek Music Theater in Hoffman Estates, Chicago, in 1989.
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While the musician was there to watch Osbourne and his bandmates — Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler — perform at Villa Park, he didn't get to see the rocker backstage after the show because it was so hectic.
'Everybody and their mother were in the backstage dressing room and I just wanted to give him a break,' the Black Label Society musician explained to Guitar World in an interview published on Tuesday, July 29.
Wylde knew Osbourne was ill but figured he'd see him in the coming days, although that never happened. Instead, the two swapped loving text messages.
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'The last text I got from Oz was saying, 'Zakky, sorry, it was like a madhouse back there. I didn't see you.' He goes, 'Thanks for everything.' It was just us talking, saying, 'I love you, buddy.' That was it,' he revealed of their last communication.
The guitarist reflected on the Black Sabbath concert.
'It was definitely pretty amazing. Seeing Oz onstage when Sabbath got done, that's the last time I saw him,' Wylde stated.
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Calling it 'business as usual,' the musician said his priority was 'making sure that Oz was okay.'
Wylde also spoke about his close relationship with Osbourne, who was the godfather of his oldest child.
'Oz was just the best,' he said. 'I have my father, who was a World War II veteran; and then Ozzy, who was almost like an older brother. There was almost a 20-year age gap between us. With our relationship, there was the fun drinking – but if I ever needed advice, I could talk to him.'
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'I'm blessed and grateful, man. Anything other than that would be selfish,' Wylde noted of their friendship.
'And on top of it, to go out with what's the biggest-grossing charity event of all? That's unbelievable. He helped a whole lot of people instead of making a profit. My God, what an incredible master. What an incredible life,' he added of Osbourne's final concert.
When the interviewer told Wylde that his working relationship with the 'Crazy Train' singer seemed 'more familial' than any of Osbourne's other guitarists, he agreed.
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Charles Wenzelberg
'Yeah, that's how I've always looked at it. Ozzy is the godfather of our oldest son. Whether I was playing with him or not, if Sharon called me and my wife up and said, 'Guys, can you watch the house while we're away on a business trip?' I'd do it. It's like, 'If you need me to bring milk and eggs over, I'll do it,'' he stated.
He noted that their chemistry was instant.
'It was – with all your friends in your life, lions attract lions, you know? And the hyenas you hang out with, that sorts itself out later! But Ozzy was the easiest-going, warmest guy. He was so easy to get along with,' Wylde shared.
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Ozzy Osbourne/Instagram
The New Jersey native teamed up with the Black Sabbath frontman in 1987, replacing Jake E. Lee after he exited the group.
'I was always like, 'Guys, I worship Sabbath,' the musician remembered. 'Anything I'm gonna write will have Lord Iommi as the base of the soup. It's in my DNA.'
To Wylde, his bond with Osbourne was unmatched.
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'It was definitely beyond just us playing in a band together and making music,' he said elsewhere in the interview.
Wylde made a name for himself when he debuted his guitar skills on Osbourne's 1988 album, 'No Rest for the Wicked.' He was also featured on the two records that followed: 'No More Tears' in 1991 and 'Ozzmosis' in 1995.
Wylde was replaced by former Lizzy Borden guitarist Joe Holmes after 'Ozzmosis,' but it didn't last long.
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He returned to Osbourne's band in 2001 and continued weaving in and out of the 'Mama, I'm Coming Home' singer's orbit through the next several years until returning in 2017 for the 'No More Tours II' tour.
Wylde was also part of the all-star performance that paid tribute to Osbourne at his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2024, his second after being inducted with Black Sabbath in 2006.
Osbourne passed away with his loved ones by his side last week.
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'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 confirmed in a statement to The Post. 'He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee, and Louis.'
On Wednesday, July 30, thousands of fans lined the streets for the rocker's funeral procession in his hometown of Birmingham, England.
His wife of over 40 years, Sharon Osbourne, 72, and four of his six children, including Kelly, Aimee, Jack and Louis, the latter from his first marriage, were also in attendance.
Osbourne's family broke down and sobbed as they viewed the tributes to Ozzy left by his fans.
They also paid homage to their patriarch by wearing several items belonging to the rock icon during the procession.
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