Geezer Butler was shocked by 'frail' Ozzy Osbourne
The band got back together for one huge final show - the Back To The Beginning concert - at Villa Park in their hometown of Birmingham, England on July 5 and bassist Geezer has admitted he was shocked to see singer Ozzy in such poor health.
In an essay written for The Sunday Times newspaper, Geezer explained: "The rehearsals for that final show started a month before at a studio in the Oxfordshire countryside. Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and I ran through seven songs together. Of course, not having played together for 20 years, it took a couple of days to get rid of the rust.
"Then it was time for Ozzy to join us. I knew he wasn't in good health, but I wasn't prepared to see how frail he was.
"He was helped into the rehearsal room by two helpers and a nurse and was using a cane - being Ozzy, the cane was black and studded with gold and precious stones."
Geezer went on to reveal his friend - who passed away on July 22 just two weeks after the concert - was unusually quiet during rehearsals because he found the work so exhausting.
He added: "[Ozzy] didn't really say much beyond the usual greetings and when he sang, he sat in a chair. We ran through the songs but we could see it was exhausting him after six or seven songs.
"We had a bit of a chat, but he was really quiet compared with the Ozzy of old."
Geezer added that he wishes he'd been able to spend more time with Ozzy because he had no idea the appearance at the gig would be the last time they would ever see each other.
He added: "I wish I'd had more time backstage with Ozzy, but wishes are redundant now. As Ozzy used to say: 'Wish in one hand and shit in the other and see which comes first.
"Nobody knew he'd be gone from us little more than two weeks after the final show. But I am so grateful we got to play one last time together in front of his beloved fans."
Geezer concluded the piece by writing: "God bless, Oz, it has been one hell of a ride! Love you!"
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Maya Jama shares summer style secrets
Maya Jama's summer style is inspired by 1990s supermodels. The 30-year-old TV presenter has revealed she likes to feel comfortable when she's not working so she spends the summer months wearing loose-fitting shirts teamed with shorts or jeans. She told The Sunday Times newspaper: "Oversized shirts with shorts or skinny jeans. My inspiration is 1990s off-duty supermodels - they loved a big white shirt with a big belt, boots or kitten heels." Maya has been seen wearing more glamorous outfits during her stint hosting ITV2 reality show Love Island this summer - and she's revealed her onscreen outfits are also 1990s-inspired. She explained: "It's a sexy show so we've always fed into that, but this year we've delved into some vintage designer archives, in particular preloved looks from the 1990s - a few Chanel pieces, some 1994 Versace - to elevate it a bit but keep it fun. Think bright, colourful minidresses." Maya admitted the costumes she wears on TV can be quite uncomfortable but she's prepared to "suffer" for a few hours of work. She added: "When I started, there were so many rules. For my first job at MTV they wanted me to look like a member of Little Mix, but now I get to wear what I want, really. I sacrifice comfort! "On TV I always think you can suffer for a couple of hours in an outfit, whereas day to day I'm all about comfort. I have learnt that small prints and patterns don't look as good on telly - crisscrosses, stripes, they don't translate as well on camera." Maya previously shared her top beauty tip and revealed it doesn't cost a thing - explaining she likes to dip her face in ice cold water first thing in the morning to reduce puffiness and perk up tired skin - but an ice-roller will also do the job. According to The Sunday Times, she said: "I'm a big believer in dunking your face in ice-cold water every morning - it helps reduce puffiness and tiredness and definitely helps your face feel 'snatched' first thing. "You could also use an ice roller as an alternative, but I think doing it quickly and all at once is easiest." Maya went on to share her other advice which includes taking off make-up before bed and using eye masks regularly. She added: "I always try not to wear make-up to bed, and I'd say I'm 99 per cent good at that. "It's really important to look after your eyes and I love an eye mask. I make sure I always have an MIJ mask in my bag so I can pop it on in a cab or use it on a flight to keep my eyes hydrated and refreshed."
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Black Sabbath bandmate shocked by 'frail' Ozzy Osbourne
Geezer Butler "wasn't prepared" for how "frail" Ozzy Osbourne was during rehearsals for the Black Sabbath reunion gig. The band got back together for one huge final show - the Back to the Beginning concert - at Villa Park in their home town of Birmingham, England, on July 5 and bassist Butler admitted he was shocked to see singer Osbourne in such poor health. In an essay written for The Sunday Times newspaper, Butler said: "The rehearsals for that final show started a month before at a studio in the Oxfordshire countryside. "Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and I ran through seven songs together. Of course, not having played together for 20 years, it took a couple of days to get rid of the rust. "Then it was time for Ozzy to join us. I knew he wasn't in good health, but I wasn't prepared to see how frail he was. "He was helped into the rehearsal room by two helpers and a nurse and was using a cane - being Ozzy, the cane was black and studded with gold and precious stones." Butler went on to reveal his friend - who died on July 22 just two weeks after the concert - was unusually quiet during rehearsals because he found the work so exhausting. "(Ozzy) didn't really say much beyond the usual greetings and when he sang, he sat in a chair," Butler said. "We ran through the songs but we could see it was exhausting him after six or seven songs. "We had a bit of a chat, but he was really quiet compared with the Ozzy of old." Butler said he wished he had been able to spend more time with Osbourne because he had no idea the appearance at the gig would be the last time they would ever see each other. "Nobody knew he'd be gone from us little more than two weeks after the final show, but I am so grateful we got to play one last time together in front of his beloved fans." Geezer Butler "wasn't prepared" for how "frail" Ozzy Osbourne was during rehearsals for the Black Sabbath reunion gig. The band got back together for one huge final show - the Back to the Beginning concert - at Villa Park in their home town of Birmingham, England, on July 5 and bassist Butler admitted he was shocked to see singer Osbourne in such poor health. In an essay written for The Sunday Times newspaper, Butler said: "The rehearsals for that final show started a month before at a studio in the Oxfordshire countryside. "Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and I ran through seven songs together. Of course, not having played together for 20 years, it took a couple of days to get rid of the rust. "Then it was time for Ozzy to join us. I knew he wasn't in good health, but I wasn't prepared to see how frail he was. "He was helped into the rehearsal room by two helpers and a nurse and was using a cane - being Ozzy, the cane was black and studded with gold and precious stones." Butler went on to reveal his friend - who died on July 22 just two weeks after the concert - was unusually quiet during rehearsals because he found the work so exhausting. "(Ozzy) didn't really say much beyond the usual greetings and when he sang, he sat in a chair," Butler said. "We ran through the songs but we could see it was exhausting him after six or seven songs. "We had a bit of a chat, but he was really quiet compared with the Ozzy of old." Butler said he wished he had been able to spend more time with Osbourne because he had no idea the appearance at the gig would be the last time they would ever see each other. "Nobody knew he'd be gone from us little more than two weeks after the final show, but I am so grateful we got to play one last time together in front of his beloved fans." Geezer Butler "wasn't prepared" for how "frail" Ozzy Osbourne was during rehearsals for the Black Sabbath reunion gig. The band got back together for one huge final show - the Back to the Beginning concert - at Villa Park in their home town of Birmingham, England, on July 5 and bassist Butler admitted he was shocked to see singer Osbourne in such poor health. In an essay written for The Sunday Times newspaper, Butler said: "The rehearsals for that final show started a month before at a studio in the Oxfordshire countryside. "Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and I ran through seven songs together. Of course, not having played together for 20 years, it took a couple of days to get rid of the rust. "Then it was time for Ozzy to join us. I knew he wasn't in good health, but I wasn't prepared to see how frail he was. "He was helped into the rehearsal room by two helpers and a nurse and was using a cane - being Ozzy, the cane was black and studded with gold and precious stones." Butler went on to reveal his friend - who died on July 22 just two weeks after the concert - was unusually quiet during rehearsals because he found the work so exhausting. "(Ozzy) didn't really say much beyond the usual greetings and when he sang, he sat in a chair," Butler said. "We ran through the songs but we could see it was exhausting him after six or seven songs. "We had a bit of a chat, but he was really quiet compared with the Ozzy of old." Butler said he wished he had been able to spend more time with Osbourne because he had no idea the appearance at the gig would be the last time they would ever see each other. "Nobody knew he'd be gone from us little more than two weeks after the final show, but I am so grateful we got to play one last time together in front of his beloved fans."
Perth Now
6 hours ago
- Perth Now
Pantera cancel gigs to grieve Ozzy Osbourne
Pantera have cancelled their upcoming gigs to give themselves time to grieve their hero Ozzy Osbourne. The rockers - who were among the performers at Ozzy's Black Sabath reunion gig Back to the Beginning on July 5 - have axed three shows and postponed two more because they "need time and space to grieve" following Ozzy's shock death on July 22, which came just two weeks after the big show in Birmingham, England. In a statement posted on Instagram, Pantera explained: "Ozzy wasn't just a legend who shaped the very foundation of heavy metal and inspired Pantera from the beginning - he was family. "A mentor, a brother, and a constant presence in our lives both on and off the stage. The bond we shared with him ran far deeper than music. "In light of this profound loss, we need time and space to grieve - to be with our families, our crew, and each other as we process and honor the life of someone who meant so much to us. "Out of respect, and to allow members of our team the time to mourn, we will be [rescheduling and cancelling a number of shows]." The Pantera show in Saratoga Springs, New York on July 28 has been postponed to September 9 and the concert on July 31 in Holmdel, New Jersey will now take place on September 9. Shows in Gilford, New Hampshire on July 29, Birmingham, Alabama on September 8 and Virginia Beach, Virginia on September 10 have been cancelled. The statement added: "We appreciate your understanding during this difficult time." Pantera's guitarist Zakk Wylde was previously a member of Ozzy's solo band and he was also part of the rocker's solo set during the Back to the Beginning concert. After Ozzy's death, paid tribute to his friend in a post on Instagram, writing: "Thank you for blessing the world [with[ your kindness and greatness Oz. You brought light into so many lives and made the world a better place. "You lived [with] the heart of a lion. "I thank the good Lord every day for blessing my life [with] you in it. I love you Oz. Beyond forever."
