Metallica, Elton John & More Musicians Remember Ozzy Osbourne: ‘Greatest of All Time’
The Black Sabbath frontman died at the age of 76 on Tuesday (July 22).
Ozzy Osbourne speaks onstage at iHeartRadio ICONS with Ozzy Osbourne: In Celebration of Ordinary Man at iHeartRadio Theater on February 24, 2020 in Burbank, California.
The music world has been left stunned with the announcement of Ozzy Osbourne‘s death, with the Black Sabbath frontman passing away at the age of 76 Tuesday (July 22), just weeks after playing his final concert.
Without sharing his cause of death, Osbourne’s family delivered the news in a statement, writing that “our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning” and adding that the rock legend was “with his family and surrounded by love” in his final moments. In response, artists of all generations and genres have been flooding social media with words of shock and grief, as well as messages of support for Osbourne’s family, which includes his wife of more than 40 years, Sharon Osbourne, and his six children.
Metallica shared a throwback photo with Osbourne and stamped it with a simple heartbroken emoji on Instagram, while Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong wrote on the site: “No words. We love you Ozzy.”
Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello shared a photo of himself and Osbourne and captioned it, “Good bless you Ozzy.”
Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood shared a photo of himself and Osbourne on X and wrote, “I am so very sad to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne. What a lovely goodbye concert he had at Back To The Beginning in Birmingham.”
Elton John posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. “So sad to hear the news of @ozzyosbourne passing away,” he wrote, posting a throwback photo of himself and Osbourne. “He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods — a true legend. He was also one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. I will miss him dearly.”
Pearl Jam shared a picture of Osbourne along with a personal note from Mike McCready. “Sad to hear Ozzy died today,” he wrote. “When I was in high school I discovered Sabbath. ‘War Pigs’ was terrifying and mesmerizing at the same time. It was Ozzy’s voice that took me away to a dark universe. A great escape … Thanks for the music, Ozzy it makes our journey in life better.”
Posting a photo of Osbourne when he was younger, Questlove simply wrote, “Long Live The Oz … Rest In Melody.”
Over on X, Gene Simmons of KISS wrote: “Sad to report Ozzy has passed away. He was a giant. Admired and loved by millions of fans worldwide. Prayers and condolences go out to the Osborne family.”
Posting photos of himself and Osbourne — including one featuring Jelly Roll — Flavor Flav also wrote on X, “Man,,, real heart broken over the passing of OZZY OSBOURNE,,, we go way back … Sending my love and prayers to Sharon and his kids and whole family.”
Ice T wrote on the platform, “RIP Ozzy. Right after the recent huge Black Sabbath final concert. Sad.. In my opinion the Creators of Heavy Metal.”
The Smashing Pumpkins posted an older video of Billy Corgan discussing Osbourne’s love of music with Sharon and wrote, “We [love] you too, Ozzy.”
Jack White shared an elegant black-and-white photo of Osbourne on Instagram and simply wrote, “He made it.”
Yungblud delivered a lengthy eulogy on Instagram, sharing a photo of himself and Osbourne, whom he called the “greatest of all time.” “I didn’t think you would leave so soon the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room,” Yungblud wrote. “But as it is written with legends, they seem to know the things that we don’t … I am truly heartbroken.”
Drummer Matt Cameron posted photos of Osbourne and penned, “Rest in Power King Ozzy.”
PETA also issued a statement mourning the Prince of Darkness — who had recently partnered with the animal rights organization — remembering him “most fondly for the gentle side he showed to animals … Ozzy will be missed by animal advocates the world over.”
Osbourne’s death was certainly unexpected to fans, as the icon had performed just three weeks prior in Birmingham, England, at Black Sabbath’s last-ever concert. He was joined on stage at Villa Park stadium by the rest of the band’s classic lineup: Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward.
The late legend is survived by his first wife, Thelma Riley and their children, Jessica, Lewis and adopted son Eliot. With Sharon, he shares kids Aimee, Jack and Kelly — the latter of whom the heavy metal pioneer got to see get engaged to Slipknot’s Sid Wilson at Black Sabbath’s goodbye show.
