Elton John's sweet bond with Ozzy Osbourne as he attends Black Sabbath star's funeral
Sir Elton John shared a strong bond with his "dear friend" Black Sabbath star, Ozzy Osbourne, who is being laid to rest today. In news which left the singer's legion of loyal fans bereft, it was announced last week that Ozzy had died, aged 76, as his famous family admitted "mere words" couldn't describe their loss.
Paying tribute to his friend, Elton, 78, who will pay his last respects to Ozzy at his funeral in Birmingham later today, said the father-of-six was a "rock god" and a "true trailblazer".
Joining a host of famous faces, including Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, in paying homage to the star following his passing on Tuesday, Elton wrote on Instagram: "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."
The Sorry star, who has been pals with Ozzy for years, also sent a special message to his friend at the Black Sabbath farewell gig earlier this month.
Appearing on screen at Villa Park at which thousands had turned up to see Ozzy perform for one last time, Elton told the star: "You are one of the most remarkable singles of our time... You are the king, you are the legend.
'You've been through so much crap in the last few years.
"I hope this is the best day of your life so far.'
Elton and Ozzy shared a decades-long friendship as titans in their music fields. The I'm Still Standing star and Prince of Darkness icon no doubt found common ground as survivors of very public, decades-long battles with addiction - as well as being two of the most famous singers on the planet.
For Ozzy, Elton was a true friend who was there for him during his recovery from a horrific quad bike accident in 2003, according to Yahoo Entertainment.
'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,' the singer told the outlet.
'He was right. Elton is a sweetheart. He has phoned me throughout all this. He was at the house the other day with his two boys. They are great kids.
"They 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."
The pair also collaborated on the power ballad, Ordinary Man, in 2020. The track features emotional lyrics, which focus on life and leaving a legacy as Ozzy poignantly sings: 'I don't wanna die an ordinary man.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
15 minutes ago
- The Independent
Kelly Osbourne posts heartfelt statement on Instagram after Ozzy's funeral
Kelly Osbourne has thanked fans for their support during what she described as the "hardest moment" of her life, following the death of her father, Ozzy Osbourne. The Black Sabbath frontman passed away on 22 July at the age of 76, having been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019. Thousands of tributes from fans worldwide have been laid at the Black Sabbath Bench in Birmingham, Ozzy's home city. The Osbourne family visited the bench last Wednesday to lay their own flowers during a cortege procession. Birmingham City Council began collecting the tributes on Monday to preserve them respectfully before handing them over to the Osbourne family.
The Herald Scotland
15 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Kelly Osbourne thanks fans for ‘support' following death of father Ozzy
Since his death, tributes have been pouring in from fans and friends around the world with thousands visiting the Black Sabbath Bench in the musician's home city of Birmingham to lay bouquets, wreaths, posters, balloons, candles and cards. Kelly Osbourne shared a post on Instagram (David Parry/PA) The Osbourne family visited the bench in Broad Street last Wednesday to lay their own flowers during a cortege procession. Kelly, 40, who starred in the 2000s reality series The Osbournes, shared a post on her Instagram story on Monday thanking fans for their support. She said: 'I've sat down to write this a hundred times and still don't know if the words will ever feel like enough… but from the bottom of my heart, thank you. 'The love, support, and beautiful messages I've received from so many of you have truly helped carry me through the hardest moment of my life. Every kind word, every shared memory, every bit of compassion has meant more than I can ever explain. 'Grief is a strange thing — it sneaks up on you in waves — I will not be ok for a while — but knowing my family are not alone in our pain makes a difference. Sharon Osbourne, with family members, lays flowers at the Black Sabbath Bridge in Broad Street in Birmingham in memory of Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne (Jacob King/PA) 'I'm holding on tight to the love, the light, and the legacy left behind. Thank you for being there. I love you all so much. – Kelly #BirminghamForever #OzzyForever.' On Monday, Birmingham City Council began gathering up the tributes so they can be stored before being handed over to the Osbourne family. A handful of fans watched from behind barriers, took photographs and hugged each other as officials in hi-vis jackets collected all the flowers and tributes which had been laid in front of the bench and on the railings behind it. The council said the mementos would be gathered and preserved 'respectfully' in agreement with the rock star's relatives and then stored 'with the utmost care at a secure location, ensuring they are protected and treated with dignity'. The council said: 'In due course, they will be passed on to the Osbourne family, so they may keep them as a lasting reminder of the public's affection and support.' Messages, balloons and floral tributes left at the Black Sabbath Bridge in Broad Street, Birmingham in memory of Ozzy Osbourne (Joe Giddens/PA) In a statement released through the city council, the Osbourne family said: 'We are deeply moved by the heartfelt tributes that have been placed at the Black Sabbath Bridge and at the Black Sabbath mural on Navigation Street in recent days. 'These expressions of remembrance reflect the profound impact that Ozzy had on the city and its people, as well as fans from around the world – BIRMINGHAM FOREVER!'
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Kelly Osbourne thanks fans for ‘support' following death of father Ozzy
Kelly Osbourne has thanked fans for their 'support' during the 'hardest moment' of her life following the death of her father, the Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne. The rock legend was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019 and died at the age of 76 on July 22, surrounded by his family. Since his death, tributes have been pouring in from fans and friends around the world with thousands visiting the Black Sabbath Bench in the musician's home city of Birmingham to lay bouquets, wreaths, posters, balloons, candles and cards. The Osbourne family visited the bench in Broad Street last Wednesday to lay their own flowers during a cortege procession. Kelly, 40, who starred in the 2000s reality series The Osbournes, shared a post on her Instagram story on Monday thanking fans for their support. She said: 'I've sat down to write this a hundred times and still don't know if the words will ever feel like enough… but from the bottom of my heart, thank you. 'The love, support, and beautiful messages I've received from so many of you have truly helped carry me through the hardest moment of my life. Every kind word, every shared memory, every bit of compassion has meant more than I can ever explain. 'Grief is a strange thing — it sneaks up on you in waves — I will not be ok for a while — but knowing my family are not alone in our pain makes a difference. 'I'm holding on tight to the love, the light, and the legacy left you for being there. I love you all so much. – Kelly #BirminghamForever #OzzyForever.' On Monday, Birmingham City Council began gathering up the tributes so they can be stored before being handed over to the Osbourne family. A handful of fans watched from behind barriers, took photographs and hugged each other as officials in hi-vis jackets collected all the flowers and tributes which had been laid in front of the bench and on the railings behind it. The council said the mementos would be gathered and preserved 'respectfully' in agreement with the rock star's relatives and then stored 'with the utmost care at a secure location, ensuring they are protected and treated with dignity'. The council said: 'In due course, they will be passed on to the Osbourne family, so they may keep them as a lasting reminder of the public's affection and support.' In a statement released through the city council, the Osbourne family said: 'We are deeply moved by the heartfelt tributes that have been placed at the Black Sabbath Bridge and at the Black Sabbath mural on Navigation Street in recent days. 'These expressions of remembrance reflect the profound impact that Ozzy had on the city and its people, as well as fans from around the world – BIRMINGHAM FOREVER!'
