Latest news with #PrinceofDarkness
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Ozzy Osbourne's heartbreaking final text to his close pal revealed
Ozzy Osbourne's longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde revealed the poignant final text message he received from the late metal icon after Black Sabbath's farewell concert. '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,'' Wylde told Guitar World in an interview published Tuesday. 'It was just us talking, saying, 'I love you, buddy.' That was it.' Wylde divulged in the interview that he had expected to see Osbourne — who died on July 22 at age 76 — at some point following Black Sabbath's farewell concert in Birmingham, England, on July 5. But that never happened. The guitarist — who joined Black Sabbath in 1987 — explained that he wanted to give the Prince of Darkness a reprieve from the chaos backstage after the show. 'Everybody and their mother were in the backstage dressing room and I just wanted to give him a break,' Wylde said, noting elsewhere in the interview that their priority was 'making sure that Oz was OK.' 'It was definitely pretty amazing. Seeing Oz onstage when Sabbath got done, that's the last time I saw him,' Wylde recalled. Wylde, 58, also shared how the Black Sabbath frontman was like family to him. 'Oz was just the best. I have my father, who was a World War II veteran; and then Ozzy, who was almost like an older brother,' the guitarist told the outlet. '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.' The families were so close, in fact, that Osbourne was given a special title. 'Ozzy is the godfather of our oldest son,' Wylde said. '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.'' The legendary rocker died last week after battling Parkinson's disease and the effects of a 2003 quad bike accident. Ozzy's wife, Sharon Osbourne, and children announced his death in a statement obtained by Page Six. '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,' they said. 'He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.' Ozzy was honoured with a funeral procession in Birmingham, England, on Wednesday.
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Ozzy Osbourne's Final Text to Bandmate Revealed
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Ozzy Osbourne's bandmate Zakk Wylde revealed the final text message he received from the Black Sabbath frontman. Newsweek reached out to Wylde's representative for comment on Thursday via email outside regular working hours. The Context Osbourne died on July 22 at the age of 71, just weeks after he performed at the Black Sabbath farewell concert in Birmingham, England on July 5. The show marked the first time the original rock band members had reunited in 20 years. What To Know In an interview with Guitar World, published on Tuesday, Wylde, who started playing guitar for Osbourne on his 1988 No Rest for the Wicked album, shared that the last time he spoke with Osbourne was after Black Sabbath's final performance. "The last text I got from Oz was saying, 'Zakky, sorry, it was like a madhouse back there. I didn't see you,'" Wylde recalled. "He goes, 'Thanks for everything.' It was just us talking, saying, 'I love you, buddy.' That was it." The 58-year-old added that he thought he would see the Prince of Darkness again soon. "Everybody and their mother were in the backstage dressing room, and I just wanted to give him a break," the musician said. "I figured we'd see him later on—the next day or whatever. But no." Ozzy Osbourne (L) and Zakk Wylde (R) perform at the Poplar Creek Music Theater in Chicago, Illinois on July 12, 1989. Ozzy Osbourne (L) and Zakk Wylde (R) perform at the Poplar Creek Music Theater in Chicago, Illinois on July 12, learning of Osbourne's death, Wylde posted a message to social media in all capital letters: "THANK YOU FOR BLESSING THE WORLD w/YOUR KINDNESS & GREATNESS OZ - YOU BROUGHT LIGHT INTO SO MANY LIVES & MADE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE - YOU LIVED w/THE HEART OF A LION - I THANK THE GOOD LORD EVERY DAY FOR BLESSING MY LIFE w/YOU IN IT - I LOVE YOU OZ BEYOND FOREVER ZAKK XOXO." On Wednesday, Osbourne's friends and family attended his funeral procession in his hometown of Birmingham. His wife, Sharon Osbourne, appeared visibly emotional at the event and was comforted by two of her children, Jack Osbourne and Kelly Osbourne. Her other daughter, Aimee Osbourne, was also in attendance, as was Ozzy Osbourne's son, Louis Osbourne. What People Are Saying Following Ozzy Osbourne's death, members of Black Sabbath shared tributes on social media. Black Sabbath wrote on X and Instagram: "Ozzy Forever!" Black Sabbath co-founder and guitarist Tony Iommi posted on social media: "I just can't believe it! My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park. It's just such heartbreaking news that I can't really find the words, there won't ever be another like him. Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother. My thoughts go out to Sharon and all the Osbourne family. Rest in peace Oz. Tony." Black Sabbath co-founder and drummer Bill Ward wrote on social media: "Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls, no, you're forever in my heart. Deepest condolences to Sharon and all family members. RIP Sincere regrets to all the fans. Never goodbye. Thank you forever." Black Sabbath co-founder and bassist Geezer Butler posted on social media: "Goodbye dear friend - thanks for all those years - we had some great fun. 4 kids from Aston - who'd have thought, eh? So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you." What Happens Next Prior to his death, Ozzy Osbourne announced via social media that Black Sabbath's farewell concert would be released in theaters as a movie in 2026.
Daily Mail
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ozzy Osbourne sent gut-wrenching final text to Black Sabbath guitarist before his death at 76
's longtime guitarist and close friend Zakk Wylde has revealed the heartbreaking final text he received from the rock icon before his death at age 76. The legendary Black Sabbath frontman passed away last week at his home in Buckinghamshire, just weeks after giving fans an emotional farewell at his final show. Wylde first joined Ozzy's world in 1987 and remained a key figure throughout the late singer's career, weaving in and out of his band during the '90s and early 2000s before officially rejoining him in 2017 for the No More Tours II tour — Ozzy's final run. He was also by the Prince of Darkness's side during his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2024, and again during his last-ever performance on July 5, 2025, in Birmingham, England. 'It was definitely pretty amazing. Seeing Oz onstage when Sabbath got done, that's the last time I saw him,' Wydle told Guitarist on Tuesday. Reflecting on the final time they spoke, Wylde added, 'Everybody and their mother were in the backstage dressing room and I just wanted to give him a break. I figured we'd see him later on – the next day or whatever. But no. '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.' Wylde went on to reflect on their decades-long bond, describing Ozzy as more than just a musical partner. '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.' Despite their playful dynamic, Wylde said that when it came to making music, everything just clicked. 'It felt natural with Oz. Very rarely would things turn into a math equation, where you needed a manual to figure out a part. If that starts it's probably not going to happen.' He also recalled their instant chemistry when they first met — and how Ozzy's personality made him easy to connect with. '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.' Over the years, Wylde said Ozzy wasn't just a mentor, but a source of wisdom when life got messy. Meanwhile, Ozzy's grieving widow Sharon was surrounded by her children and thousands of devoted fans as she laid a single rose during an emotional farewell in Birmingham on Wednesday 'You're always gonna learn along the way. You trust somebody, then you get screwed on a business deal or whatever. And when anything would happen, Oz would be like, 'Oh, Zakk, I remember with Sabbath, this or that…' Things about thinking someone was a good guy, and they end up screwing you over. 'All of us live and learn on our own too, but Oz would always be there. He'd poke me in the eye and I'd be like, 'What was that for?' He'd say, 'Life's tough, that's why!' I'd go, 'Yeah, but I really didn't need that.' He'd go, 'Whatever – go make me a sandwich, and go light on the Coleman's!'' Meanwhile, Ozzy's grieving widow Sharon was surrounded by her children and thousands of devoted fans as she laid a single rose during an emotional farewell in Birmingham on Wednesday. The music legend was honored with a moving funeral procession through his hometown, where the cortege made a solemn stop at Black Sabbath Bridge — a symbolic site that quickly became a sea of flowers, tributes, and heartfelt cheers. Sharon stood alongside Ozzy's children — Jack, Kelly, and Aimee — as well as his eldest son Louis, from his first marriage to Thelma Riley. Together, they placed floral offerings and raised peace signs to the crowd, visibly touched by the outpouring of love. A live brass band, Bostin' Brass, led the cortege through the streets, playing stirring renditions of Black Sabbath classics like Iron Man, while emotional fans wept, clapped, and sang every word. Mourners had lined the route hours before the 1 p.m. start time, determined to say goodbye to the Prince of Darkness — the voice behind Paranoid, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, and a legacy that will echo forever.
Sydney Morning Herald
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Brisbane news live: Queensland's ‘rental squeeze' continues
Latest posts Latest posts 7.13am While you were sleeping Here's what's making news further afield this morning: Fears of a devastating tsunami faded late yesterday for the US and Japan, after one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded struck off a sparsely populated Russian peninsula, but new alerts along South America's Pacific coast forced evacuations and closed beaches. Legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne was farewelled in his native Birmingham overnight. The cortège of the Prince of Darkness was driven through his home city in central England before a private funeral, stopping at a bench dedicated to the band on the Broad Street canal bridge, along the city's major thoroughfare. Prosecutors are moving to take control of the home where Erin Patterson poisoned her lunch guests with death cap-laced beef Wellingtons so it can be sold to compensate her victims' families. Google has cancelled a parliamentary concert featuring rock band The Rubens after federal Labor announced YouTube, which the tech giant owns, would be added to Australia's social media ban for under 16s. In other tech news, billionaire Scott Farquhar has defended widespread adoption of AI after the tech giant he co-founded slashed 150 jobs in roles exposed to the new technology. A Sydney plumber facing the death penalty for his alleged role in the execution-style murder of Melbourne man Zivan 'Stipe' Radmanovic inside a luxury Balinese villa last month claims he was 'just helping a friend'. The Australian Tax Office is set to review a decade-old decision to write off penalties and interest related to a tax dispute with an investment company owned by former prime minister Paul Keating. And Australia was rocked by a food poisoning drama at the world swimming championships in Singapore on Wednesday night after Sam Short announced he would not line up in the 800m freestyle final. 7.08am The top local stories this morning Good morning, and welcome to Brisbane Times' live news coverage for Thursday, July 31. Today we can expect a mostly sunny day with a top temperature of 21 degrees. In this morning's local headlines: Brisbane 2032's independent infrastructure delivery body has walked back claims the proposed National Aquatic Centre at Spring Hill would cost taxpayers more than $1 billion to build. The nuclear-powered USS Ohio has quietly slipped into Brisbane for the first time, and for its crew, silence is not only a motto, it's a way of life. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has announced that Queensland's powerful public inquiry into the CFMEU will be given wide scope to consider a new 'fit and proper person' test for officials, and to scrutinise workplace agreements. In sport, Curtis Scott reached rugby league's greatest heights, suffered a fall, and rebuilt himself through combat sports. Now, the former Melbourne Storm premiership winner has declared he can launch an NRL comeback.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Watch in full: Ozzy Osbourne's funeral takes place in Birmingham
Watch as Ozzy Osbourne's funeral takes place in Birmingham on Wednesday (30 July). Fans lined the streets of Birmingham to pay their final respects to the rock legend as his body was brought back to his home city. The Black Sabbath frontman's hearse travelled down Broad Street – with family members following in cars behind – from 1pm ahead of his private funeral. The cortege, accompanied by the band Bostin Brass, stopped at the Black Sabbath bridge and bench, where thousands of fans have been gathering since the heavy metal icon died last week aged 76 to leave flowers and tributes. The 'Prince of Darkness' – once notorious for his hard-living antics that included biting the head of a dead dove and 'snorting a line of ants' – previously opened up about his vision for a send-off. 'I honestly don't care what they play at my funeral; they can put on a medley of Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle and We Are the Diddymen if it makes 'em happy – but I do want to make sure it's a celebration, not a mope-fest,' he said in a fan Q&A back in 2011.
