Ozzy Osbourne's heartbreaking goodbye with final words to loving fans
Ozzy Osbourne paid an emotional farewell to fans before his tragic passing - after being left speechless by them as he rocked out for the final time.
The 76-year-old, who passed away this morning, recently performed to a raucous 40,000 crowd at his beloved Villa Park, in Birmingham, with the singer appearing overwhelmed at some moments of the show.
He told them: "I don't know what to say, man, I've been laid up for like six years. You have no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart."
The Mirror reports the concert was a fitting tribute to the rock legend as he was supported by an all-star line up of fellow musicians and legends.
The gig was arranged with the help of wife Sharon Osbourne to get founding fathers of metal Black Sabbath back on stage where they belonged for one final time.
Ozzy, who had Parkinson's disease, sang while seated on a black throne - still loving the attention of the crowd as he roared and made wild eyed looks.
The historic gig was the first time the original Sabbath line-up had played together for 20 years. They were joined by Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Slayer, the Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler.
It wasn't Ozzy's final appearance as he also made it to Comic Con Midlands days later for a meet and greet with himself plus Sharon, Jack and Kelly.
Those lucky enough to see the icon in person described him as a "metal godfather" that "blessed us" with music. A fan who was one of the last to meet Ozzy at Comic Con Midlands has told the Mirror he feels "numb" at the news.
Singer Pip Marsh attended the convention with a friend to meet his ultimate hero earlier this month. He said: "I've just seen the news, I'm devastated. It doesn't feel real, I'm numb.
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"I'm gutted. I've always had this weird connection to Ozzy, he lived not too far from where I grew up. One of my first ever big shows was on the same line-up as Sabbath, it's wild. I feel numb."
Before tonight's tragic news, Ozzy had told how he hoped to carry in recording even though the Villa Park gig would be his last "goodbye" to fans.
The singer revealed in a new interview before the concert that he still had projects he hoped to complete despite his Parkinson's disease.
Ozzy told Metal Hammer magazine: "I am very blessed to say my goodbyes with the help of so many amazing musicians and friends. From the late 60s, we are probably one of the only bands where the original members are still alive and speaking with one another.
"As my wife says, it's an invisible bond that can't be broken. I still enjoy doing my own work. I also enjoy singing on other people's work. For the foreseeable future, I will keep on recording if the projects interest me. It's very important."
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The Guardian
25 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Ozzy Osbourne's final performance revealed fragility was the metal god's true power
Moshers gathered in their masses. Spilling out of the crazy train from Birmingham to Villa Park earlier this month, the thousands of black band shirts contained a universe: spandexed glam rock nestled next to indecipherable black metal logos, accessorised with wild hair, tough belts and tougher boots. Denim and leather jackets almost sagged under the weight of stitched-on patches. Metal's tribalism is a marvel, a commitment to a sound and lifestyle on the margins of the mainstream. That Saturday, the genre's fans were out in force, giving thanks to the man who started it all. The daylong metal celebration Back to the Beginning was billed as the farewell concert by Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath. But Ozzy's delayed retirement, due to the effects of debilitating surgeries and Parkinson's disease, barely masked a different motive: this was surely it, and not just creatively. We wondered: would Ozzy be well enough to perform. If so, what would that performance look like? It gave the day the air of a wake happening in real time. Black Sabbath had never been stymied by illness or adversity. Tony Iommi lost the tips of two fingers as a teenager but persisted in learning the guitar by making his own prosthetic fingertips and adopting light-gauge strings, which created Black Sabbath's signature tone. In recent years, he's lived with cancer. Bassist Geezer Butler has been open about his long experience with depression and drummer Bill Ward is a heart-attack survivor. A degenerative disease, Parkinson's is marked by its cruelty, robbing a person of their agency and ability to express themselves. For a performer, Parkinson's may feel like a premature death, of the persona they've created and the power it exerts. Hours before Ozzy appeared onstage at Villa Park, that power and the reverence his lovable, cartoonish, hellraising persona inspires was obvious in the legions of bands – and acolytes – who played before him. Acts forewent their usual fees to raise record-shattering profits for charities supporting children's hospitals, hospices and Parkinson's research; there was a drum-off between members of Blink-182, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Tool for Sabbath's Symptom of the Universe; Yungblud cranked Ozzy's Changes up to 11. The format soaked up the boyish camaraderie, the big kids in Ozzy's shadow who live for metal. As the skies darkened, chants of 'Ozzy! Ozzy! Ozzy!' rose and the stage illuminated a figure seated on a throne of bats. It could be easy for some to forget – through the haze of reality TV, Brummie mumbles and cartoonish antics – that Osbourne's vocals gave rise to an entire genre. To lose that would be to lose it all, so there was mass relief that he was in surprisingly good form. He was visibly fighting against his physical limitations and getting into character with wide-eyed growls, his tone and conviction punching through on Mama, I'm Coming Home and Paranoid. His fragility generated a sense of urgency; hearing him sing in person, I recognised that Ozzy's power had always been in his fragility. His voice was a soul's wail, not a grunt or growl. In life, his honesty drew people closer to him. The mythology around his performances and wilderness years propelled his fame, but this night flashed him way back to a moment when his ad in the paper searching for bandmates might have been passed over, consigning him to a life as John Michael rather than Ozzy, another working-class lad from Aston in search of immortal truths. Back to the Beginning began as an impressively curated tribute. Now it takes on greater resonance as a swansong. We didn't know it, trudging out of Villa Park with the smell of fireworks and lager in the air, but it now seems like the most well-executed exit in entertainment since David Bowie's. Closing the circle ignited something in Osbourne that night, and in turn, the audience. He clung on for one last moment under the spotlight, one final connection. And then he went home.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
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 last text message he received from the legendary Black Sabbath star before his 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.
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
I got to see Ozzy's last gig thanks to Metro - it was the best day of my life
Ian Burnip was sitting in hospital receiving chemotherapy when he made one last ditch attempt to see Ozzy Osbourne live. The 38-year-old had been excited for months to see his Black Sabbath idol at their last ever concert at Birmingham's Villa Park Stadium on July 5. Ian, who uses a wheelchair and suffers from Spinal Muscular Atrophy, however learnt just days before that he would not be able to attend the gig with the standing ticket he bought due to 'health and safety' policy. After trying desperately to be allowed to watch the show, he got in contact with Metro, who made sure he saw the famous musician one last time. The heavy metal artist died on Tuesday after a devastating battle with Parkinson's over the last few years. With his health in decline, Ozzy planned to bring his acclaimed career to an end at the Villa Park show earlier this month. Back in February, Ian was unable to get accessible tickets to the final concert due to a huge waitlist. So instead the Aston Villa season ticket holder paid over £500 for a standing ticket for him and an aid through the club's presale scheme. As a regular visitor to the club and someone who worked there as a TV producer, Ian had believed the pitch was accessible and that he would be fine to attend with a standing ticket. But after months of anticipation following his breast cancer diagnosis in November, he was shell shocked just three days before the gig when Aston Villa sent out information saying mobility aids were banned from the pitch for health and safety reasons. Ian told us: 'It was like being stabbed in the heart. 'They are a band that my dad, who passed away a couple of years ago, had introduced me to. 'I was looking forward to this being a special treat that I had lined up in my life. And it was snatched away by this policy right at the last minute.' Ian desperately rung up Aston Villa but claims he was told that the concert's promoters Live Nation were responsible for the health and safety restrictions. But when he contacted Live Nation, they told him health and safety was the venue Villa Park's responsibility. Metro has seen an email from Live Nation to Ian, where the promoter says that. Running out of options and worn out due to the chemotherapy, he got in touch with us the night before the show to raise awareness of his plea for a seat to the show. Ian said: 'They made an access adjustment for Ozzy Osbourne so he can do the gigs, but they can't make an access adjustment for me to go the venue and see the show. 'I'd spent 48hrs fighting for access, a reasonable adjustment. 'It looked like I would miss out on this important memory – yet another gig I couldn't get to because of a lack of accessible facilities.' Once we heard from Ian we contacted both Live Nation and Aston Villa with his story and asked what could be done. That is when it all changed. Ian explained: 'Then Metro took on the case and heard my story – while I was sitting getting chemo treatment! 'Within an hour I had tickets which I could use, and was one of no more than 70 lucky wheelchair users who would witness an historic moment in music history.' He was also thankful for last minutes adjustments of all involved, including Villa and Live Nation, for finding him a space. 'I will be forever grateful that they sorted it out, and enabled me to attend,' Ian added. Because of this adjustment, Ian got to see Ozzy Osbourne's star-studded last performance. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The frontman reunited with his bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward. As his band put on a stunning performance, he made an arrival on stage in a black throne with a bat on the top before belting out some of his best-known heavy metal hits. Known as the Prince of Darkness, he said 'let the madness begin' at the beginning of the show as his wife Sharon and daughter Kelly watched on from the crowd. Throughout the performance, Ozzy repeatedly thanked the 42,000 fans who had come to watch him sing. At one point, he was even heard saying 'you have no idea how I feel', as the crowd cheered him on. Just as the gig was closing, Ozzy gave fans one heartbreaking final message. The singer said: 'It's the last song ever. Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.' Metro is also the official media partner of 2026 Scope Awards that will take place next year. Every year, the charity puts out a call for anyone who thinks they might have a friend, family member, colleague, neighbour, or celebrity they think is worthy of a nomination for the awards. The awards aim to not only celebrate the work of the disabled community but also to try and raise awareness of the issues faced by disabled people every day. These are the nine categories: Media Moment – an impactful media moment that has helped shift attitudes on disability · Celebrity Role Model – a disabled public figure that uses their platform to affect change · Social Media Influencer – an influencer who uses their online channels to speak out about disability equality · Purple Pioneer – someone who raises awareness of disability or works to change attitudes in their community · Community Group – a community group or organisation that brings people together to create meaningful change in their local area · Local Service – a local service, business or social enterprise that makes a lasting difference for disabled people · Colleague Network – a colleague network or employee resource group that makes the workplace more inclusive of disabled people · Workplace Champion – someone who champions disability inclusion or breaks down barriers in the workplace · Customer Inclusion – an organisation that removes barriers and makes life more accessible for disabled people For more details about the awards and how to nominate someone please visit Speaking after the music legend's death, Ian said the final concert was momentous and that he cherished it more because of the last minute drama around getting a ticket. He said: 'I was like a kid at Christmas, having not allowed myself to get too enticed by what seemed for a host of reasons to be a pipe dream. More Trending 'It was a special day, one that I will never forget. The whole thing was superbly crafted to make it a meaningful, momentous event which spoke to people from all walks of life, as members of the metal family.' 'I was heartbroken when I saw that Ozzy had died. But at least I was able to see him and Sabbath one last time, especially as a Brummie and a Villa fan, at Villa Park.' Metro approached Live Nation and Aston Villa for comment on July 4 but did not receive a response when they then arranged accessible seating for Ian. Metro has approached them again for additional comment for this article. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. 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