Metallica Bassist Robert Trujillo Shares Poignant Tribute Before Attending Ozzy Osbourne’s Funeral: ‘He Was the Gateway’

Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo did not hold back in giving thanks to Ozzy Osbourne for helping him achieve his musical dreams on the eve of attending the funeral for the beloved heavy metal legend. Trujillo, who performed in Osbourne’s solo band from 1996-2003 before joining Metallica, posted a long, loving tribute to his musical icon on Tuesday (July 29) before flying to Manchester, England to pay his respects.

“Sadly, we’re heading back to London today for Ozzy’s funeral. I just want to say… Ozzy was the conduit for so many new relationships both creative collaborations and real, lasting friendships,” wrote Trujillo in the post about the sad return to England just weeks after Metallica shared the stage with Osbourne at what would be his final concert, the all-star July 5 Back to the Beginning show in Birmingham.

Trujillo wrote about how Ozzy’s support for his funk metal band Infection Grooves — and his love of their song “Therapy,” which he recorded backing vocals for — helped the band get on the road for the first time when they opened for him on his 1991-1992 Theater of Madness tour. “He’d say ‘I’m your best friend Rob, I f–king love the bass and the funkier and heavier the better!’ He was the gateway.”

In addition to playing in Ozzy’s band, Trujillo co-wrote songs for Osbourne’s 2001’s Down to Earth album and laid down new bass parts for the 2002 reissues of Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman, as well as co-writing four songs on Osbourne’s Grammy-winning 2022 album Patient No. 9 and playing on seven of the LP’s 13 tracks. Before the Back to the Beginning gig, Trujillo told Billboard that he is “always there for Ozz,” and reminisced about going from “playing Black Sabbath songs and Ozzy solo material at backyard parties at age sort of 16 and 17” to being on stage and performing such iconic songs as “Iron Man” and “War Pigs” alongside his hero.

His tribute message continued, “Ozzy was a humble man and sometimes so honest it hurt but his sense of humor made everything absolutely amazing. Touring with Ozzy and Zakk [Wylde] was always a wild adventure. Those two together… it was a crazy, awesome rollercoaster. We’re all so thankful for his heart and soul. Ozzy and Black Sabbath were and still are the soundtrack to our lives. The inspiration they gave us is beyond words. The first real alternative rock band, in my opinion.”

Osbourne died on July 22 at age 76, just weeks after he performed a solo set and a reunion set with his original Black Sabbath mates while seated on a black throne at the show at Villa Park that featured performances from Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, Alice in Chains, Lamb of God, Anthrax, Mastodon and many more.

Trujillo’s note concluded with a shout-out to Osbourne’s family and a heartfelt thank you for including Metallica in his final bow. “Now it’s time to pay our respects, share our love, and offer our support to Sharon and the family. It’s heartbreaking but we know Ozzy gave us everything he had in his final days,” he wrote. “I’m so honored that Lars, James, Kirk, and I (Metallica) got to celebrate with him, to share our music and Sabbath’s music on such a special day in Birmingham. Being part of that meant so much to us. Ozzy, RIP brother. We love you.”

Check out Trujillo’s post below.