Latest news with #Jean
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Ozzy Osbourne's sisters open up on heartbreaking texts rock legend sent before he died as they pay tribute to brother
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) OZZY Osbourne's sisters have opened up on the heartbreaking final texts they received from the late singer shortly before his death. Jean Powell, 85, and Gillian Hemming, 80, revealed how "our John" messaged them, saying he "couldn't wait to come back" to Birmingham, following his iconic final gig in the city earlier this month. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Ozzy Osbourne passed away on Tuesday at the age of 76 Credit: AP 3 His sisters Gillian (centre) and Jean (right) have revealed the final messages they received from the rock legend before his death Credit: Alamy 3 The Black Sabbath star had performed for the final time at Villa Park just 17 days before passing away Credit: Ross Halfin The rock legend passed away this week at the age of 76, surrounded by his family after bravely battling against Parkinson's disease. After learning of his death through a phone call, the sisters said they stayed up all night reminiscing about the "loving and funny" Black Sabbath star. Speaking to the Mirror, Jean explained how they had last seen their brother at his final concert at Villa Park. She said they got texts from him as he drove down Lodge Road - a street where they used to live close to the stadium. Jean said Ozzy "couldn't believe" the sheer volume of crowds who were walking down their old road to watch him perform. She said: "He was blown away. We had an executive box in the stadium, and when I saw the sea of people waiting to see our John I just broke down. "We didn't really get a chance to chat much because it was such a chaotic visit. But in his last text to me he said he would be coming to Birmingham again. "He said 'I can't wait to come back'. We were hoping to see him this week." Jean said that although Ozzy was ill, the news of his death "still came as a shock". She added: "He still had plans and things he wanted to do. We don't know the details of his death, it's still too early. Watch touching moment Ozzy Osbourne says his final words to adoring fans just weeks before rock legend died "It's just so sad. I'm just thankful he died in England." Over the years the sisters have travelled to see Ozzy in Los Angeles, Malibu and Las Vegas. In 2019, Ozzy was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, going public with his diagnosis the following year. As well as mobility issues, the condition caused him to suffer nerve pain, depression and blood clots. Jean continued: "We saw him in Birmingham the other week when he and the rest of the band were given the freedom of the city. "It was upsetting because he could not stand up straight, but he was still our John, still cracking the jokes. Ozzy Osbourne's career The singer first pursued his love of music after hearing The Beatles hit She Loves You in 1963, aged 15. After appearing in a handful of school plays, Ozzy joined Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler in their first group Rare Breed in 1967. When that band split, the pair reunited in Polka Tulk Blues alongside Tony Iommi and drummer Bill Ward. The group later became known as Black Sabbath and went onto shatter the music world with their whining guitar solos, Occult-based lyrics and Ozzy's screeching vocals. In 1970, the group gained a cult following in both the US and UK after releasing their eponymous first album. Black Sabbath saw incredible success with hit tracks such as Paranoid but discord in the group saw most of the original line-up leave. Ozzy himself quit the band in 1978, with a spiral into drug abuse leading to a divorce from first wife Thelma Mayfair, who he had two children with. It was then he first met a young Sharon Arden, who Ozzy at first wrote off as he believed she would think he was a "lunatic". But the singer could not be more wrong and the pair married in Hawaii in July 1982 before going on to have three children together, Aimee, Kelly and Jack. With Sharon's encouragement and help from her music manager dad Don, he began to carve out a successful solo career. His seminal first album Blizzard of Ozz in 1980 became a multi-platinum success thanks to Ozzy's howling vocals and macabre laugh on hit Crazy Train. Coupled with the Prince of Darkness' insane tour that saw him bite the head off a live bat, a string of successful tracks followed - cementing Ozzy as a rock legend around the world. In 1992, the singer announced his retirement but four years later created the beloved annual music festival Ozzfest with Sharon. Ozzy returned to Black Sabbath in 1999, with the band winning a Grammy for best metal performance for the song Iron Man. They later earned the same award in 2013 after releasing single God Is Dead? from album 13. "To us he was our brother, not a celebrity, so it's crazy to see the outpouring of love since his death was announced. "He had an amazing life and wonderful family in Sharon and the lovely kids." Ozzy went public with his diagnosis in an emotional joint interview with wife Sharon back in 2020. The singer told Good Morning America that he couldn't hide his health struggles any longer. As his health struggles limited his ability to perform, the music legend committed to one last gig in Birmingham to celebrate his career. His final performance at Villa Park saw him on stage alongside his old bandmates Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward on July 5. The reunited Black Sabbath lineup played a touching five-song set in a farewell to Ozzy, with the rock icon seated on a giant black throne - as he was unable to stand. The gig was touted as "the greatest heavy metal show ever," with Ozzy grinning to chanting fans as he thanked them for all they had done for him.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Ozzy Osbourne's sister reveals Black Sabbath star's final text before his death
Ozzy Osbourne's sister Jean has revealed the plans they made in his final text days before his death. The Black Sabbath guitarist - whose real name was John Osbourne - died on Tuesday (22.07.25) aged 76, and his sister has opened up about getting to watch his final show at the Back To The Beginning concert at Birmingham's Villa Park on July 5. Speaking at her sibling Gillian's house, Jean told the Daily Mirror newspaper: 'We had an executive box in the stadium, and when I saw the sea of people waiting to see our John I just broke down. 'We didn't really get a chance to chat much because it was such a chaotic visit. But in his last text to me he said he would be coming to Birmingham again. "He said 'I can't wait to come back'. We were hoping to see him this week.' Ozzy text his siblings on the day as he drove down Lodge Road, where the family lived close to Aston Villa's stadium. She added: "He said he couldn't believe all the crowds were walking down our old street to watch him perform. He was blown away." The two sisters saw Ozzy when he was back in Birmingham to be given the freedom of the city alongside his Sabbath bandmates. They have been left stunned by the "outpouring of love" since his death, Jean said: "We just can't believe he is gone and we won't be getting another phone call or text from him. "Every week without fail he would get in touch, either by phone or text, to ask how we were all doing and what was going on." No cause of death has been given, but Ozzy - who was diagnosed with Parkinson's 2019 - had been open with the public about his health. Jean added: 'He was frail but [his death] still came as a shock. He still had plans and things he wanted to do. "We don't know the details of his death, it's still too early. It's just so sad. I'm just thankful he died in England." His death comes just two weeks after the rocker reunited with his Black Sabbath bandmates for their Back To The Back to the Beginning farewell show in their hometown of Birmingham, England which raised millions of pounds for charity. His family said in a statement: "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."
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Ozzy Osbourne's sisters pay tribute to their ‘loving and funny' brother after rock legend's death aged 76
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) OZZY Osbourne's sisters have paid tribute to their "loving and funny" brother after his death aged 76. The Black Sabbath star's death came just weeks after he took to the stage one final time with his band mates at Villa Park in Birmingham. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Ozzy took to the stage for the final time on July 5 before his death Credit: Ross Halfin 4 Ozzy Osbourne passed away aged 76 it was confirmed on Tuesday Credit: Getty 4 Ozzy was dubbed the 'Prince of Darkness' through his rocker career Credit: Redferns Ozzy died surrounded by his family on Tuesday morning, after bravely battling against Parkinson's disease. Jean Powell, 85, and Gillian Hemming, 80, were left devastated when they learned about the rock icon's death. The sisters received the heartbreaking news about Ozzy's death in a phone call yesterday. They described Ozzy as 'loving and funny' as they reminisced on his legacy as a brother and celebrity. Jean told the Mirror: 'We saw him in Birmingham the other week when he and the rest of the band were given the freedom of the city. 'It was upsetting because he could not stand up straight, but he was still our John, still cracking the jokes. "To us he was our brother, not a celebrity, so it's crazy to see the outpouring of love since his death was announced. "He had an amazing life and wonderful family in Sharon and the lovely kids." Jean said that although Ozzy was ill the news of his death "still came as a shock". She added: "He still had plans and things he wanted to do. We don't know the details of his death, it's still too early. "It's just so sad. I'm just thankful he died in England." Only three weeks ago, the Prince of Darkness who brought light into so many lives gave us one last hurrah when heavy metal royalty descended on Villa Park, Birmingham, to pay their respects. The Back to the Beginning gig ended with him - seated on a giant black throne because he could not stand - joining his Black Sabbath muckers on the songs that took him to the world stage.
Fashion Network
4 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Billionaire Puig Empire to Weigh Share Buyback in Time, CEO Says
The billionaire family controlling Puig Brands SA may weigh options, including buying its stock, to revive the Spanish beauty products group's sagging shares, its chief executive officer said. Shares of Puig, owner of perfume brands like Jean Paul Gaultier and makeup label Charlotte Tilbury, have tumbled more than 34% since its splashy listing just over a year ago as Europe's biggest IPO in 2024. 'Over time we'll consider whether or not it makes sense to make any moves to help investors who have invested in the stock achieve the value they believe it deserves,' Marc Puig said in an interview, referring to a possible family led stock purchase or ways to increase the liquidity of its shares. 'No moves are planned in the short term.' The Puigs are among Europe's wealthiest families. They own Exea Empresarial, which controls 74% of Puig's capital and 93% of its voting rights. Puig shares have tumbled like those of others in the industry including L'Oreal SA and LVMH as they suffer from uncertainty over the effects of US President Donald Trump 's tariff wars and concerns about sluggish consumer demand. For Puig, the decline has come even though it has consistently met targets. 'I don't feel like we've let anyone down,' Puig said. 'We've delivered, we continue to grow.' Most analysts have a 'buy' recommendation on the stock. 'So far everything they've promised has happened,' said Xavier Brun, Head of Equity at Trea Asset Management, which holds Puig shares. On Wednesday, the company reiterated its forecast of 6% to 8% organic sales growth for the year, even after factoring in a 20% US tariff on Europe-made products. Trump has threatened 30% tariffs on products from the European Union. Puig said it expected little impact from the trade war in 2025 since most of the products are already in the US. Analysts like Patrick Folan at Barclays said the company has been less forthcoming about the outlook beyond this year. 'It would be helpful for Puig to come to market and explain what the current moderation in category growth means for them, and clearly state why they could be ok compared to the wider market,' he said. 'It's important to evolve the messaging from the IPO, as the IPO expectations of market growth may no longer be realistic next year or in 2027.' Puig plans to provide guidance for next year once he has more clarity on subjects like tariffs and the dollar. 'It'll be good to clarify these doubts to better measure consumer sentiment,' he said. For now, the executive, who's been at the helm for more than two decades, says the company's going to stick to doing what it does best — creating and selling fragrances. It will also focus on its make-up and skincare products, whose growth stood out in the most recent quarter even as fragrance sales moderated. That strategy of hunkering down and focusing on it core business has paid off for the company in the past. In the early 2000s, when Marc Puig took charge, the company faced financial difficulties and restructured the business to cut costs and allocate more resources toward building its perfume brands. Years later, that turnaround allowed it to stretch its fragrance portfolio. Puig now holds three spots in the world's top ten fragrance label rankings after Jean Paul Gaultier, its fastest growing brand, entered the list last year. Puig's focus on its prestige perfumes portfolio, which accounts about 70% of sales, and pipeline of products should sustain expansion and deliver better growth than its premium-beauty peers, Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Andrea Ferdinando Leggieri and Deborah Aitken wrote in a report on July 7. For Puig, much of the work of concocting new perfumes happens inside the glass-walled chamber high up in its new tower in Barcelona, which was inaugurated by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain last year. Here, Gregorio Sola, a master perfumer, waxes lyrical about his trips around the world to find the finest ingredients: sandalwood oil from trees that have to grow for 30 to 40 years or a rare, signature rose. Fragrances inspired by the bold smells of the 1980s and 90s are making a comeback, Sola says. The growth of the market is being fuelled by young consumers' appetite for unique and expressive fragrances. Puig tapped that market early when it started acquiring niche brands like L'Artisan Perfumeur and Byredo, which often have unconventional compositions and limited distribution. Beginning over a century ago as a distributor of French perfumes, Puig made a major shift in the early 20th century to manufacture its own products like Spain's first homegrown lipstick. In the 60s and 70s, it began partnering with fashion designers like Paco Rabanne to launch fragrances — doubling down later by acquiring entire fashion houses like Carolina Herrera and Nina Ricci. The challenge for Puig is to continue to deliver on its promises. 'What we need to do is take risks, tell good stories, and make exceptional products,' he said. 'I'd like to think we're able to continue getting people excited about our products.'
Fashion Network
4 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Billionaire Puig Empire to Weigh Share Buyback in Time, CEO Says
The billionaire family controlling Puig Brands SA may weigh options, including buying its stock, to revive the Spanish beauty products group's sagging shares, its chief executive officer said. Shares of Puig, owner of perfume brands like Jean Paul Gaultier and makeup label Charlotte Tilbury, have tumbled more than 34% since its splashy listing just over a year ago as Europe's biggest IPO in 2024. 'Over time we'll consider whether or not it makes sense to make any moves to help investors who have invested in the stock achieve the value they believe it deserves,' Marc Puig said in an interview, referring to a possible family led stock purchase or ways to increase the liquidity of its shares. 'No moves are planned in the short term.' The Puigs are among Europe's wealthiest families. They own Exea Empresarial, which controls 74% of Puig's capital and 93% of its voting rights. Puig shares have tumbled like those of others in the industry including L'Oreal SA and LVMH as they suffer from uncertainty over the effects of US President Donald Trump 's tariff wars and concerns about sluggish consumer demand. For Puig, the decline has come even though it has consistently met targets. 'I don't feel like we've let anyone down,' Puig said. 'We've delivered, we continue to grow.' Most analysts have a 'buy' recommendation on the stock. 'So far everything they've promised has happened,' said Xavier Brun, Head of Equity at Trea Asset Management, which holds Puig shares. On Wednesday, the company reiterated its forecast of 6% to 8% organic sales growth for the year, even after factoring in a 20% US tariff on Europe-made products. Trump has threatened 30% tariffs on products from the European Union. Puig said it expected little impact from the trade war in 2025 since most of the products are already in the US. Analysts like Patrick Folan at Barclays said the company has been less forthcoming about the outlook beyond this year. 'It would be helpful for Puig to come to market and explain what the current moderation in category growth means for them, and clearly state why they could be ok compared to the wider market,' he said. 'It's important to evolve the messaging from the IPO, as the IPO expectations of market growth may no longer be realistic next year or in 2027.' Puig plans to provide guidance for next year once he has more clarity on subjects like tariffs and the dollar. 'It'll be good to clarify these doubts to better measure consumer sentiment,' he said. For now, the executive, who's been at the helm for more than two decades, says the company's going to stick to doing what it does best — creating and selling fragrances. It will also focus on its make-up and skincare products, whose growth stood out in the most recent quarter even as fragrance sales moderated. That strategy of hunkering down and focusing on it core business has paid off for the company in the past. In the early 2000s, when Marc Puig took charge, the company faced financial difficulties and restructured the business to cut costs and allocate more resources toward building its perfume brands. Years later, that turnaround allowed it to stretch its fragrance portfolio. Puig now holds three spots in the world's top ten fragrance label rankings after Jean Paul Gaultier, its fastest growing brand, entered the list last year. Puig's focus on its prestige perfumes portfolio, which accounts about 70% of sales, and pipeline of products should sustain expansion and deliver better growth than its premium-beauty peers, Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Andrea Ferdinando Leggieri and Deborah Aitken wrote in a report on July 7. For Puig, much of the work of concocting new perfumes happens inside the glass-walled chamber high up in its new tower in Barcelona, which was inaugurated by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain last year. Here, Gregorio Sola, a master perfumer, waxes lyrical about his trips around the world to find the finest ingredients: sandalwood oil from trees that have to grow for 30 to 40 years or a rare, signature rose. Fragrances inspired by the bold smells of the 1980s and 90s are making a comeback, Sola says. The growth of the market is being fuelled by young consumers' appetite for unique and expressive fragrances. Puig tapped that market early when it started acquiring niche brands like L'Artisan Perfumeur and Byredo, which often have unconventional compositions and limited distribution. Beginning over a century ago as a distributor of French perfumes, Puig made a major shift in the early 20th century to manufacture its own products like Spain's first homegrown lipstick. In the 60s and 70s, it began partnering with fashion designers like Paco Rabanne to launch fragrances — doubling down later by acquiring entire fashion houses like Carolina Herrera and Nina Ricci. The challenge for Puig is to continue to deliver on its promises. 'What we need to do is take risks, tell good stories, and make exceptional products,' he said. 'I'd like to think we're able to continue getting people excited about our products.'
