Latest news with #ComicConMidlands
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Sharon Osbourne's tireless act of love for Ozzy that saved his finale concert
The Black Sabbath star's wife pulled out all the stops to get him on stage, say insiders Ozzy Osbourne's final performance in his home city almost never happened. The rock legend was warned that insurers would not cover the show if he pursued his dream of standing to say goodbye to his devoted fans, we can reveal. But Ozzy 's determined wife Sharon waged a secret battle with the insurance agents – and overcame any potential issues by seating the Black Sabbath frontman in a throne for his five solo tracks and four Sabbath tunes. Ozzy, who died on Tuesday at the age of 76, just two weeks after the show, had vowed to 'get back on that stage no matter what'. However, an LA promoter said the superstar was effectively banned from any on stage movement during the charity show by insurance firms. It prompted concerns that the Back To The Beginning gig, at Villa Park in Birmingham, would be axed. Ozzy had spent over a year working with physios, trainers and specialists to be able to put on a show for fans after his health battles. Our insider said: 'It is heartbreaking to think about the stress that Ozzy and Sharon went through in those last few weeks. Ozzy had worked his a** off to get himself to a place where he could at least stand up and wave to fans. But for shows of that magnitude, if the artists do not meet the insurers' satisfaction of risk liability then the show doesn't go ahead. 'With the Parkinson's and the walking issues, no insurance agent would agree to let Oz stand. So to overcome that, and not have a huge insurance premium on the charity show, they secured a deal to have him safely locked in his throne. It was a brilliant compromise. It really speaks so much to Sharon's drive and focus to get it all pulled off, because of the liability issues. She was a miracle worker.' Ozzy had spoken of being in heavy duty training sessions three times daily to 'be ready to play'. He even said a personal trainer moved into his home. Ozzy was last seen walking slowly inside and outside of the Comic Con Midlands at Birmingham's NEC. He had a walking stick but moved slowly unaided as wife Sharon and son Jack were seen by members of the public with him a week before his death. Sabbath band mate Tommy Iommi touched on the last minute stresses and technical challenges during an interview with Sirius XM after BTTB. He revealed that Ozzy's performance was uncertain even with days to go before the show. Tommy, 77, admitted: 'It was making it up as we went on really. It was really a case of how long Ozzy could do it really. Because we didn't know with him doing his own set, which I said to him, I didn't think he should do because I didn't want him to get burned out by the time he'd come with us. But he didn't and he did his own set. We ended up doing four songs but we had put aside sort of six or seven. But it worked out that we did four, so that was fine." Ozzy's family announced he had died in statement on Tuesday which shocked the music world. The statement said: "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." In his final days, cameras had been following Ozzy for BBC series, Home To Roost. It is now expected to be released in memory of the star.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ozzy Osbourne acted 'all funny' with moving gesture to fan days before his death
EXCLUSIVE: An Ozzy Osbourne fan who was one of the last to meet the Black Sabbath legend has revealed he was on great form just days before his heartbreaking death Ozzy Osbourne was on top form just days before his sad death on Tuesday. It was announced that the Prince of Darkness had died aged 76, having battled ill health for several years, with air ambulance crews spending "hours" attempting to save his life. His death came just days after he and his Black Sabbath bandmates performed their farewell gig at Villa Park on July 5, a concert that Ozzy was determined to make, despite his ill health. In recent years, his health had deteriorated following his Parkinson's diagnosis in 2003, something he kept to himself until 2020. But after his farewell performance, Ozzy, who was determined to spend time with his fans, met them at Comic Con Midlands, in what would be his final public appearance. Here, the godfather of heavy metal posed alongside those who adored him, signed memorabilia and even interacted with their young children. One fan, singer Pip Marsh, was one of the final fans to meet Ozzy. READ MORE: Ozzy Osbourne dead UPDATES: Air medics fought to revive Black Sabbath icon Speaking to the Mirror, he explained that his death had left him "numb." The musician added last night: "I've just seen the news, I'm devastated. It doesn't feel real, I'm numb." He continued: "I'm gutted. I've always had this weird connection to Ozzy; he lived not too far from where I grew up. One of my first ever big shows was on the same line-up as Sabbath, it's wild. I feel numb." "I'm gutted. I've always had this weird connection to Ozzy; he lived not too far from where I grew up. One of my first ever big shows was on the same line-up as Sabbath, it's wild. I feel numb." On meeting the Prince of Darkness, he said: "It was a three-minute meeting, but I met him, went in, shook his hand and said 'thank you for f**ing everything.' "I just said 'you and my dad used to knock about with Charlie Clapham back in the day' and he was like 'Oh' and the person said get a photo now, as I said that, Sharon said 'Charlie Clapham oh my f**king God', it was a mutual friend. I just said thank you again, and I left." Charlie, who was born Charles, was a pal of Ozzy's and eventually joined him on his 1980 Blizzard of Ozz tour as his official photographer. Reflecting on Ozzy at the meet and greet, We Should Drive singer Pip commented: "He was sat there getting pictures, there was a couple before me who went with a baby, he was playing with the baby acting all funny, it's mad. It's just so sad," And although he had only met Ozzy once, Pip says he felt a connection to the music legend throughout his entire life. He said: "Where I grew up, he always used to be around. He had that house in Staffordshire, which is near where I grew up. They had Ozzy's wine bar in Newport, which Thelma [Ozzy's first wife] ran. People who knocked about with my Dad, they all used to know Ozzy." Ozzy's tragic death was announced on Tuesday evening, hours after air ambulance paramedics spent "hours" trying to revive him. His family said: "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." A local resident said they became alarmed after noticing the helicopter in the quiet village and saw it landing close to Ozzy and Sharon's mansion. They told the MailOnline: "All of us were talking about it and wondering what had happened. We immediately feared it may be for him as he was known to be in fragile health. When we heard later that night that he had died it confirmed our worst fears." A spokesperson for Thames Valley Air Ambulance said: "We can confirm that our helicopter was dispatched to provide advanced critical care at an incident near Chalfont St Giles yesterday."
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Ozzy Osbourne's heartbreaking goodbye with final words to loving fans
The 76-year-old was overcome with emotion as he performed at Villa Park. Ozzy Osbourne paid an emotional farewell to fans before his tragic passing - after being left speechless by them as he rocked out for the final time. The 76-year-old, who passed away this morning, recently performed to a raucous 40,000 crowd at his beloved Villa Park, in Birmingham, with the singer appearing overwhelmed at some moments of the show. He told them: "I don't know what to say, man, I've been laid up for like six years. You have no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart." The Mirror reports the concert was a fitting tribute to the rock legend as he was supported by an all-star line up of fellow musicians and legends. The gig was arranged with the help of wife Sharon Osbourne to get founding fathers of metal Black Sabbath back on stage where they belonged for one final time. Ozzy, who had Parkinson's disease, sang while seated on a black throne - still loving the attention of the crowd as he roared and made wild eyed looks. The historic gig was the first time the original Sabbath line-up had played together for 20 years. They were joined by Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Slayer, the Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler. It wasn't Ozzy's final appearance as he also made it to Comic Con Midlands days later for a meet and greet with himself plus Sharon, Jack and Kelly. Those lucky enough to see the icon in person described him as a "metal godfather" that "blessed us" with music. A fan who was one of the last to meet Ozzy at Comic Con Midlands has told the Mirror he feels "numb" at the news. Singer Pip Marsh attended the convention with a friend to meet his ultimate hero earlier this month. He said: "I've just seen the news, I'm devastated. It doesn't feel real, I'm numb. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "I'm gutted. I've always had this weird connection to Ozzy, he lived not too far from where I grew up. One of my first ever big shows was on the same line-up as Sabbath, it's wild. I feel numb." Before tonight's tragic news, Ozzy had told how he hoped to carry in recording even though the Villa Park gig would be his last "goodbye" to fans. The singer revealed in a new interview before the concert that he still had projects he hoped to complete despite his Parkinson's disease. Ozzy told Metal Hammer magazine: "I am very blessed to say my goodbyes with the help of so many amazing musicians and friends. From the late 60s, we are probably one of the only bands where the original members are still alive and speaking with one another. "As my wife says, it's an invisible bond that can't be broken. I still enjoy doing my own work. I also enjoy singing on other people's work. For the foreseeable future, I will keep on recording if the projects interest me. It's very important."
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ozzy Osbourne pictured for the final time just weeks before death
The late Ozzy Osbourne was pictured for what's thought to be one of the final times at Comic Con Midlands less than two weeks before his death. He met fans at the convention in his hometown of Birmingham earlier this month. It's been announced tonight that Ozzy died, aged 76, this morning, just weeks after his farewell concert with Black Sabbath earlier this month. His family, including his wife Sharon Osbourne, 72, shared the news in a joint statement. The news comes after Ozzy performed his farewell gig at Villa Park in Birmingham on July 5. He took to the stage at the stadium alongside his former bandmates as part of the star-studded Back to the Beginning concert that evening. A week later, he joined fans at Comic Con Midlands. Ozzy took part in a meet and greet at the NEC and among those who met him was singer Pip Marsh, who had a photo with him. Speaking to the Mirror, Pip, who attended the convention with a friend to meet his idol, said he feels "numb" over the news of Ozzy's death. Pip said: "I've just seen the news, I'm devastated." He added: "It doesn't feel real, I'm numb." He continued: "I'm gutted. I've always had this weird connection to Ozzy, he lived not too far from where I grew up. One of my first ever big shows was on the same line-up as Sabbath, it's wild. I feel numb." Ozzy's wife Sharon and four of his children, Louis Osbourne, Aimee Osbourne, Jack Osbourne and Kelly Osbourne, announced his death in a statement issued tonight. It 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. The family continued: "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."
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ozzy Osbourne's final words as he said heartbreaking goodbye to beloved fans
Ozzy Osbourne has died at the age of 76 just weeks after his epic farewell gig at Villa Park. The concert was a fitting tribute to the rock legend as he sang for the final time in front of 40,000 fans supported by an all-star line up of fellow music icons. The gig was arranged with the help of wife Sharon Osbourne to get founding fathers of metal Black Sabbath back on stage where they belonged for one final time. Ozzy, 76, who has Parkinson's disease, sang while seated on a black throne - still loving the attention of the crowd as he roared and made wild eyed looks. He appeared overwhelmed at some moments. In an emotional moment, Osbourne said: 'I don't know what to say, man, I've been laid up for like six years. "You have no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart," he told the crowd as he addressed them for what is now the final time. The historic gig was the first time the original Sabbath line-up had played together for the first time in 20 years. They were joined by Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Slayer, the Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler. It wasn't Ozzy's final appearance as he also made it to Comic Con Midlands days later for a meet and greet with himself plus Sharon, Jack and Kelly. Those lucky enough to see the icon in person described him as a "metal godfather" that "blessed us" with music. A fan who was one of the last to meet Ozzy at Comic Con Midlands has told the Mirror he feels "numb" at the news. Singer Pip Marsh attended the convention with a friend to meet his ultimate hero earlier this month. "I've just seen the news, I'm devastated," he said. He added: "It doesn't feel real, I'm numb." He went on to comment: "I'm gutted. I've always had this weird connection to Ozzy, he lived not too far from where I grew up. One of my first ever big shows was on the same line-up as Sabbath, it's wild. I feel numb." Before tonight's tragic news, Ozzy had told how he hoped to carry in recording even though the Villa Park gig would be his last "goodbye" to fans. The singer revealed in a new interview before the concert that he still had projects he hoped to complete despite his Parkinson's disease. Ozzy told Metal Hammer magazine: 'I am very blessed to say my goodbyes with the help of so many amazing musicians and friends. From the late 60s, we are probably one of the only bands where the original members are still alive and speaking with one another, as my wife says, it's an invisible bond that can't be broken.' He added: 'I still enjoy doing my own work. I also enjoy singing on other people's work. For the foreseeable future, I will keep on recording if the projects interest me. It's very important.'
