Ozzy Osbourne's Final Text to a Close Friend Will Break Your Heart
For Zakk Wylde, Ozzy Osbourne wasn't just a frontman — he was family.
The two rockers shared decades of music and memories, with Wylde stepping in as Osbourne's guitarist in 1987 and remaining by his side through tours, studio albums, and other milestones. Now, he's revealing the final text he received from the Black Sabbath frontman, just days before Osbourne's death.
Wylde was there for Osbourne's final performance at the Back to the Beginning show in Birmingham on July 5. Though the night was hectic, Wylde revealed to Guitar World on Tuesday, July 29, that he gave Osbourne space backstage, assuming they'd reconnect later. That never happened.
'The last text I got from Oz was saying, 'Zakky, sorry, it was like a madhouse back there. I didn't see you.' He goes, 'Thanks for everything.' It was just us talking, saying, 'I love you, buddy.' That was it,' he shared with the outlet.
RELATED: Rare, Never-Before-Seen Photos of Ozzy Osbourne Shared in Touching Tribute
Wylde, 58, reflected how their musical chemistry was undeniable from the start. 'It was definitely beyond just us playing in a band together and making music,' Wylde stated. From 1988's No Rest for the Wicked to 1995's Ozzmosis, Wylde helped define an era of Ozzy's solo career.
The bond between them ran far deeper than music. Osbourne was godfather to Wylde's son, with the guitarist describing their connection as one where 'if you need me to bring milk and eggs over, I'll do it.' Even when not touring together, their friendship remained strong. 'Oz was just the best,' Wylde said. 'There was almost a 20-year age gap between us,' but that never got in the way. 'If I ever needed advice, I could talk to him.'
Reflecting on their time together through the years, Wylde calls himself 'blessed and grateful,' adding, 'My God, what an incredible master. What an incredible life.'
Osbourne was publicly laid to rest on Wednesday, July 30, with a public funeral procession followed by a private family service, both in Birmingham. He died on Tuesday, July 22 at the age of 76.
Ozzy Osbourne's Final Text to a Close Friend Will Break Your Heart first appeared on Parade on Jul 30, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Teddy Swims' ‘Lose Control' Is First Song Ever to Spend 100 Weeks on Billboard Hot 100
Teddy Swims' 'Lose Control' becomes the first song in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 to spend triple-digit weeks on the chart, as it adds its milestone 100th frame on the ranking (dated July 26, 2025). More from Billboard Jeremy Zucker Announces 2025 Australian Tour Black Sabbath Members Pay Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne: 'Goodbye Dear Friend' Talks Reportedly 'Failed' in Efforts to Bring ABBA Voyage to Australia The single previously surpassed the run of Glass Animals' 'Heat Waves,' which ran up 91 weeks in 2021-22, for the most time spent on the chart dating to its Aug. 4, 1958, inception. Starting its run of a hot 100 weeks on the survey, 'Lose Control' debuted, at No. 99, on the chart dated Aug. 26, 2023. It led for a week in March 2024, and became the year's No. 1 song. It ranks at No. 9 on the latest list. The soulful smash has also amassed a record 70 weeks in the Hot 100's top 10. (Songs have generally logged longer runs on the chart, and at No. 1 and in the top 10, since it adopted electronically tracked Luminate data in November 1991. The three longest-charting hits have all peaked this decade, while the top 10 such titles have hit their highs from 2008 on.) Along the way, 'Lose Control,' on SWIMS Int./Warner Records, has also ruled the following Billboard charts: the all-format Radio Songs and Digital Song Sales tallies, Adult Contemporary, Adult Pop Airplay, Adult R&B Airplay and Pop Airplay. It also hit No. 2 on Adult Alternative Airplay and the top five on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. 'Lose Control' has even outlasted two follow-up Teddy Swims singles that also each hit the Hot 100's top 40: 'The Door' (No. 24 peak, last October) and 'Bad Dreams' (No. 30, this May). Both songs also reached the top 10 on Adult Pop Airplay and Pop Airplay. Another of the singer-songwriter's hits, 'Are You Even Real,' with Giveon, led Adult R&B Airplay in April. 'Teddy Swims is a once-in-a-generation talent who defies genres, making him truly unique in today's music landscape,' Warner evp of promotion and commerce Mike Chester told Billboard last year. 'When we began promoting 'Lose Control,' our journey was carefully planned. From the start, we noticed that the song was resonating in various pockets of culture, creating a strong and diverse fanbase.' The artist born Jaten Dimsdale, in Conyers Ga., in 1992, and who made his overall Billboard chart debut in 2021, was nominated for best new artist at the Grammy Awards this year. 'I love always watching your updates,' he mused of Billboard News' weekly recap of the Hot 100's top 10. 'It's like, 'Here comes Teddy Swims!' I hope you never stop saying that. I'm grateful.' Below, browse a rundown of the longest-charting hits in the Hot 100's history. 100 weeks, 'Lose Control,' Teddy Swims No. 1 Hot 100 peak (one week), March 30, 2024(still charting as of July 26, 2025) 91 weeks, 'Heat Waves,' Glass Animals No. 1 Hot 100 peak (five weeks), beginning March 12, 2022 90 weeks, 'Blinding Lights,' The Weeknd No. 1 Hot 100 peak (four weeks), beginning April 4, 2020 87 weeks, 'Radioactive,' Imagine Dragons No. 3 Hot 100 peak, July 6, 2013 79 weeks, 'Sail,' AWOLNATION No. 17 Hot 100 peak, Oct. 12, 2013 77 weeks, 'Beautiful Things,' Benson Boone No. 2 Hot 100 peak, March 30, 2024(still charting as of July 26, 2025) 77 weeks, 'Levitating,' Dua Lipa No. 2 Hot 100 peak, May 22, 2021 76 weeks, 'I'm Yours,' Jason Mraz No. 6 Hot 100 peak, Sept. 20, 2008 71 weeks, 'All I Want for Christmas Is You,' Mariah Carey No. 1 Hot 100 peak (18 weeks), beginning Dec. 21, 2019 70 weeks, 'Snooze,' SZA No. 2 Hot 100 peak, Oct. 7, 2023 Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Four Decades of 'Madonna': A Look Back at the Queen of Pop's Debut Album on the Charts Chart Rewind: In 1990, Madonna Was in 'Vogue' Atop the Hot 100 Solve the daily Crossword
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Kelly Osbourne says she 'will not be OK for a while' after dad Ozzy Osbourne's death
Kelly Osbourne is opening up about grief almost two weeks after the loss of her father, Ozzy Osbourne. The singer, 40, took to Instagram on Monday, Aug. 4, to thank fans for their sympathy in the wake of the Black Sabbath icon's death. "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," she wrote in an Instagram story. "Every kind word, every shared memory, every bit of compassion has meant more than I can ever explain." Osbourne continued: "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 behind." After signing her name, the former "Fashion Police" host added a broken heart emoji and the hashtags "#BirminghamForever" and "#OzzyForever." To accompany the message, she included a clip from her father's song "See You on the Other Side." Kelly Osbourne mourns dad Ozzy's death with sentimental post Ozzy Osbourne died at age 76 on July 22, just weeks after he performed for the last time with Black Sabbath in Birmingham, England. Kelly Osbourne, whose mother is Sharon Osbourne, attended her dad's farewell concert — and even got engaged there. On July 6, she posted a clip showing her partner, Sid Wilson, getting down on one knee and popping the question in front of her parents backstage at the show. Ozzy Osbourne guitarist reveals touching final text from singer After the July 6 concert, Kelly Osbourne thanked "everyone who came to support my dad" and noted that he was "able to say thank you and good bye in the most beautiful way." A previous statement from Osbourne's family provided to USA TODAY said the rocker was "surrounded by love" when he died in Birmingham, England. "It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy has passed away this morning," the family said. Osbourne was also survived by his children Jessica, Aimee, Elliot, Louis and Jack. Hundreds of the rock star's fans came out to pay their respects during his funeral procession in Birmingham on July 30. In a prior Instagram story last month after Ozzy Osbourne's death, Kelly posted a black screen and a broken heart emoji, sharing that she felt "so sad" after losing "the best friend I ever had." Contributing: Melissa Ruggieri, Jay Stahl and Anna Kaufman
Fox News
3 hours ago
- Fox News
Ozzy Osbourne's daughter Kelly admits she won't be 'ok for a while' after icon's death
Kelly Osbourne admitted her struggle with grief in the wake of the death of her father, rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, has been coming in waves. The reality star thanked fans for the outpouring of support over the last week after the heavy metal musician died at home in England on July 22. He was 76. Less than one week ago, thousands of people flocked to the streets of Birmingham to honor the legendary rock star as the hearse and accompanying vehicles made their way to the Black Sabbath bridge and bench, with the Osbourne family following closely along for Ozzy's funeral procession. "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," Osbourne wrote. "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 behind." Ozzy had three children from his first marriage with ex Thelma Riley, and three children with wife Sharon Osbourne. The Prince of Darkness was laid to rest last week following his death on July 22, only weeks after his final performance with Black Sabbath. WATCH: OZZY OSBOURNE'S FAMILY HONORS LEGENDARY ROCKER "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," the family said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital at the time. "He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time." According to People, Osbourne will also be honored privately by his close family and friends with an intimate funeral. "They're very grateful for the special family time they had together before Ozzy passed," a source told the outlet. "They're planning a small, private funeral that will be a celebration of his life. Ozzy would never want a mope-fest." The source said the rocker's family, including Sharon, 72, and their children, Aimee, 41, Jack, 39, and Kelly, 40, is "touched by all the love and support pouring in from around the world."
