Ozzy Osbourne's last text message to former bandmate before his tragic death
Jake E. Lee, who played guitar for Ozzy Osbourne in the 1980s, has shared the emotional final message he received from the legendary Black Sabbath frontman before his passing on Tuesday.
Ozzy's death at 76 was confirmed by his grieving family, who released a statement to inform fans: "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. 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."
Jake served as a crucial member of Ozzy's group from 1982 to 1987, contributing his skills to records including Bark At The Moon and The Ultimate Sin, and touring widely with the Birmingham legend. The pair lost contact around 1987 following Lee's exit from the band.
However, their bond was reignited last year when Jake survived being shot three times outside his Las Vegas residence whilst walking his dog, the Mirror reports. At the time Ozzy said: "It's been 37 years since I've seen Jake E. Lee, but that still doesn't take away from the shock of hearing what happened to him."
Later in the year, Jake was extended an invitation from Tom Morello, the musical director for Ozzy's massive farewell performance with Black Sabbath in Birmingham, to participate in the show on July 5.
Despite not having worked together since 1987, Lee accepted the proposal and made the journey to the UK. Their reunion at the event near where Black Sabbath launched their career marked the first time they had seen each other in nearly four decades.
Now, following Ozzy's passing this week (July 22), Lee has shared details about the touching text Ozzy sent him after the performance, which has now become the final message he received from Ozzy.
Taking to Facebook, Jake told his followers that "the finality of it hits me in waves," before sharing a text message he had received from Ozzy a fortnight earlier whilst waiting at an airport.
In the message, Ozzy stated: "Hi jake i'm so sorry i couldn't spend more time with you on the weekend but it was really chaotic, i would really like to see you when i eventually get back TO LA just to shoot the shit."
"Its been so long since we saw each other, where have are you living these days, because the last thing i heard was you were living in Las Vegas. How did the gig for you on Saturday i really hope you had fun anyway i will text you when i eventually get back to LA and we must hook up much love and respect OZZY."
Tragically, Ozzy never returned to LA and passed away at his Buckinghamshire home in England on Tuesday, despite the best efforts of air paramedics who battled for two hours trying to save him.
Supporters have formed lengthy queues to sign a tribute book for the legendary rock star in the Midlands following his passing. The book has been opened at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, which is currently holding an exhibition titled Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero to celebrate the late singers life.
Grieving admirers were also given the opportunity to record a voice message in whatever language they preferred by speaking into a red telephone. Birmingham's lord mayor, Zafar Iqbal, has described Ozzy Osbourne as a "proud Brummie" who contributed to placing the city "on the world map".
Mr Iqbal met the founding members of the heavy metal band - formed in the city in 1968 - when they received the freedom of Birmingham in June.
Speaking to PA news agency, he said: "He (Osbourne) was very important and he was a proud Brummie. He loved the city. He will be much missed, I think, and he was loved by so many people in the city.
"I think he put Birmingham, and especially Aston, on the world map. He's done so much for the city and we honoured him with the freedom of the city as well, which we were grateful that he came (to) and received about six weeks ago.'
The lord mayor additionally revealed he had been speaking with supporters queuing to sign a tribute book, which was established by a Birmingham museum presenting an exhibition devoted to Ozzy.
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Ozzy and Kelly Osbourne performing their version of Changes together He recalled: 'I am in The Four Seasons and I am watching the TV and I go to Zakk, 'I have never thrown a f****** TV out of the window of a hotel room. Let's f****** do it'. 'So I ripped the window open, picked it up and threw it out of the f****** window. It landed on the floor and f****** exploded. It went like a bomb. 'Little did I know that there was a guy smoking a cigarette and I shudder to think if that had hit him on the head. I would have killed him stone f****** dead.' Meat Throwing (1980's) 7 The rock legend hurled raw meat and animal parts into the crowd Credit: Getty In the Eighties, Ozzy took his fan interaction to a whole new level with a ritual as outrageous as it was unforgettable. The rock legend began hurling raw meat and animal parts into the crowd — all whilst encouraging fans to return the favour with whatever strange items they could sneak into the venue. One being the now-infamous bat incident and whilst some chalked it up to his on-stage theatrics, the truth was far more tongue-in-cheek. He revealed in his documentary The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne, the inspiration came from old slapstick films featuring custard pie fights. He said: 'It gave me this idea to throw, instead of pie, bits of meat and animal parts into the audience. 'I thought it was hilarious. (They'd throw back) sheep testicles, live snakes, dead rats, all kinds of things. Someone once threw a live frog onto onstage, it was the biggest frog I'd ever seen and it landed on its back.' TV Legend Feud (2002) 7 Not yet disgraced TV host and comedian Bill Cosby slammed the Osbourne's family show Credit: Getty Back in 2002 Ozzy and his family created a reality show big enough to rival The Kardashians. The Osbourne's documented the ups and downs of the family's day to day life but not everyone had a good opinion about he show. Not yet disgraced TV host and comedian Bill Cosby slammed the MTV series as "not entertainment". Ozzy later revealed in his autobiography that Cosby had sent a letter scolding the family's use of foul language and supposed bad influence. Wife Sharon was quick to fire back with a letter of her own, pointing out that Cosby wasn't exactly a saint — especially after news of his extramarital affair surfaced in the late nineties. She also called out the hypocrisy of him clutching at straws over swearing whilst TV was drowning in violence. The Alamo (1982) 7 The Birmingham-born rocker was arrested at the site when he decided to publically urinate Back in 1982 a very drunk Ozzy was seen dressed in one of wife Sharon's gowns during a photo shoot near the Alamo — the iconic Texas landmark where outnumbered rebels made their famed last stand against the Mexican army. The Birmingham-born rocker was arrested at the site when he decided to publically urinate. He later returned to the landmark with son Jack with Ozzy admitting he wasn't sure if he actually peed on the memorial as he was "very inebriated". But Ozzy's fears were calmed once they were met by local councilman Robert Trevino who found Ozzy's old police report. He then revealed the star was only charged with public intoxication that day - and never with public urination or public indecency. Dove De-Capitation (1981) 7 Ozzy pulled one of the most bizarre stunts in music history Credit: The Mega Agency A bat isn't the only thing The Black Sabbath Frontman bit into. Back in 1981, during a meeting with CBS Records to celebrate his new solo deal, Ozzy pulled one of the most bizarre stunts in music history. Hoping to make an impression, he arrived at the boardroom carrying two white doves. What was supposed to be a quirky gesture quickly turned into a PR nightmare when he suddenly grabbed one of the doves and bit it's head off. Spitting it onto the conference table in front of label executives and later reportedly did the same to the second dove, he admitted: 'They were all throwing up all over the place. People were freaked.' He was immediately thrown out from the building and whilst the label was appalled, the stunt only added to Ozzy's reputation as rock's most unpredictable wild man.
