‘Lost the best friend I ever had': Kelly Osbourne pays tribute to Ozzy
In a heartfelt message posted to her Instagram stories on Thursday, Kelly shared lyrics from the Black Sabbath song Changes, a track she famously re-recorded with her father.
Floral tributes are left on the Black Sabbath Bridge bench on Broad Street in Birmingham, following the death of Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, aged 76 (Jacob King/PA)
'I feel unhappy I am so sad. I lost the best friend I ever had,' she wrote next to an emoji of a broken heart.
Released in 2003, their reimagined duet hit number one on the UK Singles chart. The duo became only the second father-daughter act to top the chart, following Nancy and Frank Sinatra in 1967.
Osbourne's death came a few weeks after he reunited with his Black Sabbath bandmates on July 5 to play a farewell gig at Villa Park – a stone's throw from where the band was formed in 1968.
After the live performance, Osbourne and his wife Sharon celebrated Kelly's engagement with her long-term partner Sid Wilson, a member of the heavy metal band Slipknot.
The day after the gig, Kelly thanked her father's fans for attending his last live performance.
She wrote on Instagram: 'To say that yesterday was magic was an understatement!
'Thank you to everyone who came to support my dad. Thank you to the fans who without we are nothing!
'My dad got his moment in the sun! He was able to say thank you and good bye in the most beautiful way!'
Tributes to Osbourne were led by his Black Sabbath bandmates, including Terence 'Geezer' Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward, along with celebrity friends including Kiss star Gene Simmons and Queen guitarist Sir Brian May.
Ozzy Osbourne performs on stage during the Closing Ceremony for the 2022 Commonwealth Games at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham (David Davies/PA)
Earlier on Thursday, Status Quo frontman Francis Rossi spoke on ITV's Good Morning Britain and described Osbourne as 'wild'.
He said: 'He was a great young guy. And then obviously, American success got to him, I think. And it gets to a lot of us. You get carried away with all that stuff that one shouldn't. I did and I'm over it.'
Osbourne was also described by the Lord mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, as a 'proud Brummie' who helped put 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 were presented with the freedom of Birmingham in June.
He told the PA news agency: '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.'
Other stars have also honoured the 'Prince of Darkness' by paying tribute to him during live concert performances, including Lady Gaga, Coldplay and Alice Cooper, who praised him for performing until he 'couldn't do it any more'.
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Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Marilyn Manson leads rock royalty at Ozzy Osbourne's funeral
By KATHERINE LAWTON and AIDAN RADNEDGE and NICK FAGGE Marilyn Manson has led the stars arriving at Ozzy Osbourne's private funeral this afternoon as the heavy metal icon is laid to rest. The Black Sabbath frontman, who died aged 76 on July 22, is being buried in the grounds of his own mansion in Buckinghamshire - as he had said he desired. Ozzy's widow Sharon and their children were joined by heavy rock icons at today's event at the family's home near Gerrards Cross, where he was being laid to rest near a lake ay the heart of the sprawling 250-acre estate. Guests also included Manson's wife Lindsay Usich, and Ozzy's lead guitarist Zakk Wylde - and in true Ozzy fashion, stars arrived in gothic and heavy metal attire, with Rob Zombie donning skulls on a black scarf while Manson wore a long black jacket. Mourners who attended today include Metallica frontman James Hetfield, and Sir Elton John , as tents were seen across the Buckinghamshire estate's grounds. Speaking in 2011 about how he imagined his future send-off, the Black Sabbath legend said : '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.' The funeral cortege yesterday was led by a live brass band, Bostin' Brass, who performed versions of Black Sabbath songs such as Iron Man, as thousands of tearful devotees lined the streets and sang along in Ozzy's memory. Today, marquees and a music stage had been erected next to pond where the private tributes were paid at his home. Guests were seated under huge awnings due to the rain showers that had fallen earlier in the day - while catering facilities, with their own generators, were provided in the garden. However, diehard fans did leave flowers outside the gates to their rock idol. Ozzy had spoken in 2011 about his funeral intentions, telling the Times : ' I want to make sure it's a celebration, not a mope-fest. 'So by any measure, most of us in this country - especially rock stars like me - are very lucky. That's why I don't want my funeral to be sad - I want it to be a time to say, 'Thanks'.' And he wrote in his autobiography I Am Ozzy, published in 2010: 'Eventually death will come, like it comes to everyone. 'I've said to Sharon: 'Don't cremate me, whatever you do.' I want to be put in the ground, in a nice garden somewhere, with a tree planted over my head. 'A crabapple tree, preferably, so the kids can make wine out of me and get [expletive] out of their heads. As things have transpired, huge crowds gathered along the route hours in advance of Wednesday's 1pm start to pay their respects to the Prince of Darkness whose hits included Paranoid and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. The hearse carrying the singer's coffin - adorned with purple flowers spelling out 'Ozzy' - had passed the star's childhood home in Lodge Road, Aston, shortly after midday. Flowers had been placed outside the terraced property, close to Villa Park while the owners of the house put up a picture of Osbourne in the front bay window. The Jaguar hearse and six Mercedes funeral cars, accompanied by police motorcycle riders and a police car, drove slowly along the street watched by a handful of fans and the current owner of the house. Thousands of people were pictured taking their places not only on Black Sabbath Bridge but along the city centre route along which his cortege travelled towards the Black Sabbath Bridge bench. Elsewhere in London, the Coldstream Guards payed tribute to the heavy metal legend at the changing of the guard by performing their own rendition of his hit-song Paranoid. While organizing the procession, Birmingham City Council collaborated with the Osbourne family, who funded all of the associated costs. Ahead of today's follow-up service, the Sun quoted a source as saying: 'Singer Yungblud, who became close with Ozzy in recent years, is going to give a reading. 'His Sabbath bandmates, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler, will be there, along with James Hetfield from Metallica. 'Elton John is also hoping to join the family at the church. 'Sharon and his family have been so touched by messages they received not only from Ozzy's friends, but also his fans around the world.' Osbourne and his Black Sabbath bandmates - Butler with the nickname 'Geezer', Iommi and Ward - were recently given the freedom of the city of Birmingham, which recognises people's exceptional service to the city. The group, which formed in 1968, are widely credited with defining and popularising the sound of heavy metal. Osbourne, who also had a successful solo career, found a new legion of fans when he appeared in the noughties reality TV series The Osbournes, starring alongside his wife Sharon and two youngest children, Kelly and Jack . The music star, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, performed his last gig on July 5 in a concert that also saw performances from the likes of Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N' Roses. Ozzy took to the stage for his farewell concert at Villa Park stadium in his native Birmingham less than three weeks before his death - reuniting with his original Black Sabbath bandmates for the first time since 2005. More than 42,000 fans packed into the venue for the Back To The Beginning show, during which he told the crowd in his final speech: 'You've no idea how I feel - thank you from the bottom of my heart.' A message on screen then read: 'Thank you for everything, you guys are [expletive] amazing. Birmingham Forever,' before the sky lit up with fireworks. He had told of it being his last performance due to his health, having opened up about his battle with Parkinson's in 2020. In a statement shared last Tuesday, Ozzy's family said he died 'surrounded by love' , adding: '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 is survived by his wife Sharon and his five children Jessica, Louis, Aimee, Kelly and Jack. Daily Mail revealed last Wednesday that an air ambulance was called to Osbourne's grand country home as paramedics battled to save his life for two hours. Friends told the Mail's Alison Boshoff that his heartbroken wife Sharon was considering now burying Ozzy in the gardens of the 350-acre estate in an intimate family funeral.
Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Kelly Osbourne's poignant message about why dad Ozzy Osbourne was so important
Kelly Osbourne took to social media to share a message hours before the intimate funeral of her dad, the Prince of Darkness Ozzy Osbourne Kelly Osbourne has shared a touching speech showcasing why her dad, legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne, was so important. The Black Sabbath frontman died last week aged 76, leaving the world of music in mourning. Now, a day after his final journey through his beloved Birmingham he has been laid to rest. And daughter Kelly, 40, took to social media hours before the intimate funeral to share a sweet message saying how the Prince of Darkness was helping to unite the world. Kelly shared a reel to her Instagram Stories that was initially posted by a fan. It comes after thousands lined the streets on Wednesday and chanted for the star in support of his heartbroken family. The poster could be heard saying in the clip, which was posted shortly after the star's death: "Do you know why Ozzy was so important? Look at your feed right now. "Look at the fact that for the last 24 hours there's been no politics, it's been no left or right. It's been no them versus us, it's been all of us collectively celebrating the life of a man that meant so much to us and the politics are null and void right now." The message continued: "This is one of the most tragic things for a lot of us to experience but the one good take away from it is that it has united all of us under the banner of Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, and heavy metal and what Ozzy meant to all of us. Take a moment to think about that." The post comes with Kelly still staying silent following her dad's death, and instead resharing several messages that mean something to her. At the Birmingham procession she also gave a subtle nod to her dad with her choice of outfit accessories. With her blonde hair tied back, Kelly was seen wearing circular sunglasses that Ozzy had become synonymous with in recent years. His wife of over 40 years, Sharon Osbourne, was also in tears at the emotional farewell as the procession headed down Birmingham's Broad Street. Ozzy was followed by his family - including wife Sharon - in the special procession that was accompanied by a live brass band, Bostin' Brass. In moving scenes, the procession stopped outside the Black Sabbath bridge, where the frontman's wife and children stepped out of their cars to lay down roses wrapped in black paper among the sea of tributes left by fans. And on Thursday, the intimate private ceremony in Buckinghamshire at a private service attended by his close family and friends. While the funeral was kept strictly for friends and family only, cars were seen emerging from the property where Ozzy's funeral took place after the ceremony was over. The funeral was held at the family's 250 acre estate, with Ozzy being buried next to the ground's ornamental lake, according to his wishes.
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Ozzy Osbourne and Elton John's decades long friendship: Rocket man showered his 'dear' pal with lavish gifts and helped him recover following horrific quad bike accident as singer helps lay Black Sabbath star to rest
and Elton John enjoyed a decades long frienship that will end as the Rocket man star joins mourners to lay Black Sabbath singer to rest in a private funeral at his Buckinghamshire home on Thursday. The heavy metal icon, who died last week aged 76, was showered with gifts by his famous pal and even credited singer Elton for helping his recovery following a horrific quad bike accident in 2003. The pair also collaborated on Ozzy's 2020 track Ordinary man, with Elton providing the piano and vocals, alongside Slash on guitar and Red Hot Chili Peppers Chad Smith drumming. Elton, 78, even appeared on the family's MTV show The Osbourne's in 2005, giving fans a rare glimpse into the pairs unique bond. While visiting their home in LA the Crocodile Rock icon removed a huge gold and diamond necklace from his neck to gift to his shocked pal. Clearly shocked by the gesture, Ozzy said: 'No! f**** off!' and said he 'felt bad' for accepting the trinket, Elton quipped: 'Don't be so stupid you silly old b******'. Meanwhile husband David Furnish, 62, joked: 'Is the real one at home in the safe?'. The rocker went to wife Sharon and said he felt 'so embarrassed' by the lavish gesture, before telling her to 'just go' on her shopping trip with Elton before the end ended up giving him his 'f*****g house'. Meanwhile Ozzy also praised his long time pal for helping him in his recovery following a quad bike accident that forced him to have metal rods inserted into his back. He told Yahoo: 'Elton told me to get off the couch and start walking, which was what I needed, as I couldn't move off it for months, he was right. Elton is a sweetheart. He has phoned me throughout all this' '[Elton and David and their sons] are such a good family. You would be surprised. When you are feeling miserable, you find out who is a friend and who doesn't give a s**t.' Following his death Elton shared a snap of himself and Ozzy alongside an emotional tribute to his 'dear friend which read: 'So sad to hear the news of @ozzyosbourne passing away'. '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. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love. Elton xx'. In true Ozzy fashion, stars arrived in gothic and heavy metal attire, with Rob Zombie donning skulls on a black scarf while Marilyn Manson wore a long black jacket to see the star buried buried in the grounds of his own mansion in Buckinghamshire - as he had said desired. The star is being laid to rest in a freshly dug grave close to the lake at the heart of the sprawling 250-acre property near Gerrards Cross. A huge floral tribute in the grounds of the mansion spells out an affectionate tribute to the heavy metal legend, with the words, 'OZZY F***ING OSBOURNE', on the banks of the Osbourne lake. A version of a floral 'Ozzy' tribute that featured at yesterday's memorial procession was also placed atop a fountain. Mourners who attended today include Elton, Metallica frontman James Hetfieldas tents were seen across the Buckinghamshire estate's grounds. The events follow a funeral procession attended by thousands of fans through Birmingham city centre on Wednesday. Ozzy's widow Sharon, 72, was supported by their children Jack, Kelly and Aimee who laid floral tributes and made a peace sign as they gestured their gratitude to fans - while accompanied by Ozzy's son Louis from his first marriage to Thelma Riley. Floral tributes to the rock star first displayed at the public memorial in Birmingham yesterday were on show for the intimate farewell. Goodwill messages have continued to pour in for Osbourne, who died aged 76 last week - and had spoken in the past about his wishes for a lack of funeral fuss. Speaking in in 2011 about how he imagined his future send-off, the Black Sabbath legend said: '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.' The funeral cortege yesterday was led by a live brass band, Bostin' Brass, who performed versions of Black Sabbath songs such as Iron Man, as thousands of tearful devotees lined the streets and sang along in Ozzy's memory. Today, marquees and a music stage had been erected next to pond where the private tributes were paid at his home. Guests were seated under huge awnings due to the rain showers that had fallen earlier in the day - while catering facilities, with their own generators, were provided in the garden. A huge security operation was in place from early this morning to ensure the ceremony was strictly invitation only, in accordance with widow Sharon's wishes. A team of bodyguards and private security dog handlers patrolled the perimeter of the estate and traffic marshals directed traffic through the narrow country lane leading to the Osbourne estate. However, diehard fans did leave flowers outside the gates to their rock idol. Ozzy had spoken in 2011 about his funeral intentions, telling the Times: 'I want to make sure it's a celebration, not a mope-fest. 'I'd also like some pranks - maybe the sound of knocking inside the coffin, or a video of me asking my doctor for a second opinion on his diagnosis of 'death'. 'There'll be no harping on the bad times. It's worth remembering that a lot of people see nothing but misery their whole lives. 'So by any measure, most of us in this country - especially rock stars like me - are very lucky. That's why I don't want my funeral to be sad - I want it to be a time to say, 'Thanks'.' And he wrote in his autobiography I Am Ozzy, published in 2010: 'Eventually death will come, like it comes to everyone. 'I've said to Sharon: 'Don't cremate me, whatever you do.' I want to be put in the ground, in a nice garden somewhere, with a tree planted over my head. 'A crabapple tree, preferably, so the kids can make wine out of me and get p***ed out of their heads.
