Alice Cooper dedicates Cardiff show to 'legend' Ozzy Osbourne as he shares emotional tribute to one of rock n roll's 'giants' after his death aged 76
The Black Sabbath musician passed away 'surrounded by love' on Tuesday morning at the age of 76, a statement from his family confirmed tonight.
Fellow rocker Vincent Damon Furnier, known by his stage name Alice Cooper, dedicated his show to Ozzy as he took to the stage with his band in Wales on Tuesday.
'Well, we all know that time is going to take us rockers, but when the giants fall, it's really hard to accept,' he said on stage.
'Even though everybody saw it coming with Ozzy, it just took our breath away when it happened.
'So Ozzy and family - your records and your music and your legend and all that you brought - the humour to the rock business - will live on forever and we're gonna miss you man.'
Elsewhere Alice and his band said: 'The whole world is mourning Ozzy tonight. Over his long career, he earned immense respect among his peers and from fans around the world as an unmatched showman and cultural icon.
'I always saw Ozzy as a cross between the prince of darkness, which is the persona his fans saw, and the court jester. That was the side that his family and friends saw.
'He was and will continue to be a rock n roll legend. Rock n Roll is a family and a fraternity. When we lose one of our own it bleeds. I wish I would have gotten to know my brother Ozzy better.
'Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and the rest of the Ozzy brood - our prayers are with you tonight. A titanic boulder has crashed, but rock will roll on.'
Alice signed off an Instagram post with: 'Rest easy Ozzy and we'll see you on the other side! - Alice, Sheryl, Chuck, Ryan, Tommy, Nita, Glen and our entire crew.'
Elsewhere Chris Martin also dedicated Coldplay's show at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, on Tuesday to Ozzy.
He said: 'We'd like to dedicate this whole show to the incredible genius, talent, and character-full gift to the world who was Ozzy Osbourne. We send our love to his family.'
Chris then sang a stripped down version of Black Sabbath's 1972 hit Changes, before saying: 'Ozzy, we love you, wherever you're going.'
On Wednesday morning, keyboardist Rick Wakeman appeared on Radio 4 talking about his friendship with Ozzy, and admitted he didn't think The Osbournes star would have survived as long with Sharon.
Talking about the rocker, he said: 'Ozzy hadn't been well. I met Sharon and Ozzy together when they got together in 1980, I went to a concert in upstate New York, one of Ozzy's very first solo shows. And that was when he was there with Sharon, who is lovely. At that time, everybody just thought Sharon was sort of acting on behalf of her father as the management.
'But Ozzy said to me, he said, "Things are going to change. Sharon and I are an item and will be forever. And she's going to take over my management." I remember saying to him, "Does her dad know? Because he's got quite a strong reputation", and he went "Not yet". I went right, "I don't want to be around when he does."
'He was very generous to Sharon and actually they fell out a lot- but Sharon was, I don't think Ozzy was… this might sound a bit awful, but I don't think Ozzy would have survived as long as he did had it not been for Sharon. Sharon in many ways saved Ozzy's life. For that she should be incredibly proud.
'Ozzy was cleverer than people think. When I did the Osmosis album with him in New York, I realised there was so much more to him musically than just being the front man in a heavy metal band. He knew what he wanted, he was very clever and he was also clever enough as far as the media were concerned to become a caricature of himself.'
The Osbourne family announced Ozzy's death in a statement which read: '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.'
Tributes flooded in last night, with musical legend Sir Elton saying Ozzy was a 'huge trailblazer' who 'secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods'.
He posted on Instagram: 'So sad to hear the news of Ozzy Osbourne 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.'
After sharing the stage at Villa Park in Birmingham, Ronnie Wood said he is 'very sad' to learn of Ozzy's death.
The Rolling Stone posted on X: '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.'
Ozzy's Black Sabbath bandmates declared 'Ozzy forever!' in a powerful tribute to the icon on X.
American actor Jason Momoa, 45, who joined the the Black Sabbath frontman on stage at Villa Park in Birmingham less than three weeks ago, also paid tribute.
Sharing an emotional message to his 'family', Jason shared a photo on Instagram with Sharon and Ozzy back stage at the concert.
He wrote: 'Love you @ozzyosbourne All my aloha @sharonosbourne and ohana. So grateful. RIP'.
The rocker was able to bid an emotional farewell to his fans on stage this month as he reunited with his original Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the first time since 2005.
'You've no idea how I feel - thank you from the bottom of my heart,' Osbourne told the crowd in his final speech.
With 42,000 fans packed into Birmingham's Villa Park, heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath returned to the stage for Ozzy's farewell show - the band's first live performance since 2005.
They were joined onstage by a host of celebrity friends, among them Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler.
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Metro
7 minutes ago
- Metro
BBC to show Ozzy Osbourne's final days before death in ‘intimate' documentary
A documentary that captures the 'moving and inspirational account of the last chapter' of Ozzy Osbourne's life will be released soon. Last month the Black Sabbath frontman died aged 76 after suffering a heart attack, which followed a long battle with Parkinson's and other health problems. A week ago, he was farewelled with a funeral procession in his home city of Birmingham, with thousands turning out and lining the streets, happening just a few weeks after his band's final ever show taking place at Villa Park. At the time of his death Osbourne and his family were being filmed by cameras for a BBC series, which had started production three years ago. But following his sudden death, the project has now been reworked into a one-hour long film. Titled Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home, the film will feature the heavy metal icon, as well as his wife Sharon and their children Jack and Kelly. It will capture the 'extraordinary roller-coaster of their lives as Sharon and Ozzy attempt to complete their long-held dream of moving back to the UK'. However, they face challenges as Ozzy also 'heroically battles to get fit enough to perform, and the family deal with the dramatic consequences of his ill-health'. It's been billed as being a 'remarkably candid and uplifting tribute to one of the world's true icons', being full of 'love, laughter and tears' and plenty of unforgettable moments fans of the family have come to expect. Speaking about the upcoming release, BBC's head of commissioning for documentaries Clare Sillery said: 'We are honoured to have had the opportunity to film with Ozzy and his family. The film captures an intimate glimpse into their journey as they prepare to return to the UK. It features family moments, humour, reflection and shows the enduring spirit that made Ozzy a global icon. 'We hope it brings comfort and joy to Ozzy's fans and viewers as they remember and celebrate his extraordinary life.' Meanwhile, production company Expectation's executive producers Ben Wicks and Colin Barr said it was an 'incredible privilege' to spend the past few years with the family. 'Our film is an inspiring and poignant account of him fulfilling that dream. Ozzy was loved by millions around the world not just for his music, but for his sense of mischief and his honesty all of which we saw plenty of in the final years of his life. 'But one thing shone through even more brightly to us, and that was Ozzy's intense love for his exceptional family who were by his side through it all.' When announcing Osbourne's death, his family wrote: '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.' Soon after Osbourne's death, a source close to the family said he was in peace at the time of his passing. 'Sharon's deepest hope was fulfilled, and this is her focus now. Ozzy's final days were spent in England, surrounded by family, music and in the place he called home. He was in peace,' they told People. They added that his farewell concert 'meant everything,' and 'brought his career full circle.' During Black Sabbath's show on July 5 in Birmingham – where they formed 56 years ago – he brought the show to a close with a powerful message. 'It's the last song ever. Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle, thank you from the bottom of our hearts,' he shared while closing the show. Osbourne – who had also been referred to as the 'Godfather of Heavy Metal' and the 'Madman of Rock' – had intended to continue recording music but died 17 days later. More Trending Throughout his career, he sold more than 100 million albums and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Black Sabbath in 2006 and as a solo artist last year. He also gained a new legion of fans when starring in the MTV reality show The Osbournes, which ran from 2002 until 2005. Just a few weeks ago a screening was held for the documentary The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne, while Jack also recently revealed a film biopic about the musician was currently in the works at Sony Pictures. View More » Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home will air on August 18 at 9pm on BBC One. 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. MORE: Ozzy Osbourne's kids say their 'hearts are hurting' in emotional tributes MORE: Kelly Osbourne says she won't 'be ok for a while' following Ozzy's death MORE: Sir Rod Stewart's 'tacky' AI tribute comes far too soon after Ozzy Osbourne's death
North Wales Chronicle
7 minutes ago
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BBC to air hour-long documentary titled Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home
The Black Sabbath frontman died aged 76 on July 22 from a reported heart attack, just weeks after reuniting with the band on stage as part of The Back To The Beginning farewell concert in Birmingham. Titled Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home, the programme will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One on August 18 at 9pm, and is told through 'unique and intimate access to the whole Osbourne family', including wife Sharon, and children Kelly and Jack. The programme has been filmed over three years and 'captures the extraordinary rollercoaster of their lives' as the famous couple 'attempt to complete their long-held dream of moving back to the UK', the BBC said. It also captures musician Ozzy as he 'heroically battles to get fit enough to perform' and the family dealing with 'the dramatic consequences of his ill health', with Kelly quoted as saying in the film: 'Iron Man wasn't really made of iron.' The rocker had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019. Clare Sillery, head of commissioning, BBC Documentaries, said: 'We are honoured to have had the opportunity to film with Ozzy and his family. 'The film captures an intimate glimpse into their journey as they prepare to return to the UK. 'It features family moments, humour, reflection and shows the enduring spirit that made Ozzy a global icon. 'We hope it brings comfort and joy to Ozzy's fans and viewers as they remember and celebrate his extraordinary life.' Ben Wicks and Colin Barr, executive producers at production company Expectation, said: 'It was an incredible privilege to spend the last few years with Ozzy, as well as Sharon, Jack and Kelly. 'Ozzy wanted to make it back to the UK and appear on stage one last time – our film is an inspiring and poignant account of him fulfilling that dream. 'Ozzy was loved by millions around the world not just for his music, but for his sense of mischief and his honesty, all of which we saw plenty of in the final years of his life. 'But one thing shone through even more brightly to us, and that was Ozzy's intense love for his exceptional family who were by his side through it all.' The film was originally conceived as a series, announced in 2022 and called Home To Roost, and which was to document Ozzy and Sharon's move back from the US, where they had lived for more than two decades, to rural Buckinghamshire. But the project 'evolved as Ozzy's health deteriorated' into the one-hour film, the BBC said. Last month, fans gathered alongside Ozzy's family to pay tribute to the star as a funeral cortege travelled through Birmingham. Sharon and the couple's children could be seen wiping away tears when they arrived at the Black Sabbath bench, where thousands of tributes, balloons and flowers were left. Musicians from Bostin Brass played Black Sabbath songs to accompany the cortege, and fans threw flowers at the hearse as it slowly passed through the city.
Rhyl Journal
7 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
BBC to air hour-long documentary titled Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home
The Black Sabbath frontman died aged 76 on July 22 from a reported heart attack, just weeks after reuniting with the band on stage as part of The Back To The Beginning farewell concert in Birmingham. Titled Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home, the programme will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One on August 18 at 9pm, and is told through 'unique and intimate access to the whole Osbourne family', including wife Sharon, and children Kelly and Jack. The programme has been filmed over three years and 'captures the extraordinary rollercoaster of their lives' as the famous couple 'attempt to complete their long-held dream of moving back to the UK', the BBC said. It also captures musician Ozzy as he 'heroically battles to get fit enough to perform' and the family dealing with 'the dramatic consequences of his ill health', with Kelly quoted as saying in the film: 'Iron Man wasn't really made of iron.' The rocker had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019. Clare Sillery, head of commissioning, BBC Documentaries, said: 'We are honoured to have had the opportunity to film with Ozzy and his family. 'The film captures an intimate glimpse into their journey as they prepare to return to the UK. 'It features family moments, humour, reflection and shows the enduring spirit that made Ozzy a global icon. 'We hope it brings comfort and joy to Ozzy's fans and viewers as they remember and celebrate his extraordinary life.' Ben Wicks and Colin Barr, executive producers at production company Expectation, said: 'It was an incredible privilege to spend the last few years with Ozzy, as well as Sharon, Jack and Kelly. 'Ozzy wanted to make it back to the UK and appear on stage one last time – our film is an inspiring and poignant account of him fulfilling that dream. 'Ozzy was loved by millions around the world not just for his music, but for his sense of mischief and his honesty, all of which we saw plenty of in the final years of his life. 'But one thing shone through even more brightly to us, and that was Ozzy's intense love for his exceptional family who were by his side through it all.' The film was originally conceived as a series, announced in 2022 and called Home To Roost, and which was to document Ozzy and Sharon's move back from the US, where they had lived for more than two decades, to rural Buckinghamshire. But the project 'evolved as Ozzy's health deteriorated' into the one-hour film, the BBC said. Last month, fans gathered alongside Ozzy's family to pay tribute to the star as a funeral cortege travelled through Birmingham. Sharon and the couple's children could be seen wiping away tears when they arrived at the Black Sabbath bench, where thousands of tributes, balloons and flowers were left. Musicians from Bostin Brass played Black Sabbath songs to accompany the cortege, and fans threw flowers at the hearse as it slowly passed through the city.
