Latest news with #Osbourne
Irish Examiner
17 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
‘Four kids from Aston': Black Sabbath members bid farewell to Ozzy Osbourne
Black Sabbath bassist Terence 'Geezer' Butler has said he is 'so glad' the band reunited with Ozzy Osbourne one final time, just weeks before the singer's death at the age of 76. The music superstar's death was announced in a statement saying he was 'with his family and surrounded by love'. In a post on Instagram, Butler paid tribute to his long-time bandmate and friend, reflecting on their final performance together during a farewell concert at Birmingham's Villa Park earlier this month. 'Thanks for all those years- we had some great fun. 4 kids from Aston- who'd have thought, eh?' he captioned an Instagram post. 'So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.' The emotional tribute came as bandmates Bill Ward and Tony Iommi also expressed their grief. Iommi, the band's guitarist, said he was 'devastated' by the news. 'It's just such heartbreaking news that I can't really find the words, there won't ever be another like him,' he wrote on Instagram. 'Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother.' Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls, no, you're forever in my heart. Deepest condolences to Sharon and all family members. RIP Sincere regrets to all the fans. Never goodbye. Thank you forever. Bill Ward — Bill Ward (@billwarddrums) July 22, 2025 Ward, Black Sabbath's drummer, posted a photo of himself and Osbourne on X, writing: 'Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls… no, you're forever in my heart.' Earlier this month, Osbourne bid farewell to fans with a Black Sabbath reunion, telling thousands of heavy metal enthusiasts at Villa Park – a stone's throw from where the band was formed in 1968 – that it was 'so good to be on this stage' as he performed his last set from a large black throne. A family 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.' Singer Yungblud, who performed Changes at the concert on July 5 with a recording of the live cover released for charity, paid tribute to Osbourne, calling him 'the greatest of all time'. Osbourne and his fellow original Black Sabbath members were the last to appear on stage as part of the star-studded line-up for the Back to the Beginning concert. Bands including Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N' Roses were on the lineup, and there were messages of thanks from other celebrities including Jack Black, Ricky Gervais and Dolly Parton. In an Instagram post, the singer, whose real name is Dominic Harrison, shared photos of the moment he gave the late heavy metal singer a cross on a necklace, similar to the one Osbourne had previously given to him. He wrote: 'I didn't think you would leave so soon the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room. 'But as it is written with legends, they seem to know things that we don't. I will never forget you – you will be in every single note I sing and with me every single time I walk on stage. 'Your cross around my neck is the most precious thing I own. You asked me once if there was anything you could do for me and as I said then and as I will say now for all of us the music was enough. You took us on your adventure – an adventure that started it all. 'I am truly heartbroken. You were the greatest of all time.' Sir Elton John described Ozzy Osbourne as a 'dear friend' and 'huge trailblazer' (Ian West/PA) Elton John described Osbourne as a 'huge trailblazer' who 'secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods'. 'He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods – a true legend,' John wrote on Instagram, adding: '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.' Osbourne's theatrical stage presence, including once biting off the head of a bat and styling himself as the Prince of Darkness, marked him out as a controversial figure. Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3 1948, in Aston, Birmingham, he left school at 15 and did odd jobs, including factory work, before teaming up with school friend Butler in several bands. Black Sabbath went on to become one of the most influential and successful metal bands of all time, selling more than 75 million albums worldwide. The group were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 and Osbourne was added for a second time last year. He rose to further fame alongside his wife Sharon – whom he married in 1982 and with whom he has three children, Aimee, Jack and Kelly – through their MTV reality TV series The Osbournes. Ozzy Osbourne with wife Sharon and his Golden God award at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards 2018 (Ian West/PA) In 2020, Osbourne revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and he paused touring in 2023 after extensive spinal surgery. He had a fall at home in 2019, which aggravated injuries from a near-fatal quad bike crash in 2003, stopping his No More Tours 2 shows from going ahead in Europe and the UK. The tour had previously been rescheduled several times because of illness, the Covid-19 pandemic and logistical issues. He told Good Morning America in January 2020 that it was discovered he had the neurodegenerative disorder after a fall. He said: 'I did my last show New Year's Eve at The Forum. Then I had a bad fall. I had to have surgery on my neck, which screwed all my nerves and I found out that I have a mild form.' He and wife Sharon, who was also his manager, met when she was 18 and they married on July 4 1982 in Hawaii. Daughter Kelly, 40, duetted with her father on the UK number one single Changes in 2003. He released his 12th studio album Ordinary Man in 2020, followed by Patient Number 9 in 2022.
NZ Herald
19 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne's most infamous moments
When inducting the band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, Metallica's Lars Ulrich said: 'Black Sabbath is and always will be synonymous with heavy metal.' Appearing on CBS News to discuss Osbourne's legacy, Rolling Stone contributor Joe Levy said: 'It was not so popular with critics like myself but it was awfully popular with kids'. 'That music was dark, doomy and it partook of all the signs and symbols of horror movies really in order to tell a certain kind of truth about the way that kids felt.' Black Sabbath – Bill Ward (left), Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Ozzy Osbourne – in May 1970 in London. Photo / Getty Images Going it alone, not by choice Despite their commercial success Osbourne's position as the frontman was jeopardised in the late 1970s because of the singer's excessive alcohol and drug use. Osbourne was fired in 1979 and replaced by Ronnie James Dio. He launched a solo career the next year. Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi later said: 'At that time, Ozzy had come to an end. We were all doing a lot of drugs... and Ozzy was getting drunk so much at the time. We were supposed to be rehearsing, and nothing was happening.' Sharon Osbourne and Ozzy Osbourne during the 2005 MTV Australia Video Music Awards. Photo / M. Caulfield for WireImage Meeting and marrying Sharon Osbourne first met Sharon in 1970, when her father worked for Black Sabbath. When Osbourne started his solo career in 1979 Sharon started managing him. They married in 1982, the same year Osbourne divorced his first wife Thelma Riley. A father to two children with Thelma, Osbourne went on to have three children with Sharon: Aimee, Kelly and Jack. The relationship had its ups and downs, often marred by Osbourne's drug use and subsequent erratic behaviour. 'I wasn't a saint. Ozzy wasn't a saint,' Sharon told People in 2022. 'I gave him as good as he gave me. We're just meant to be.' After a brief split in 2016, the couple renewed their vows in May 2017 and celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary this month. Asked once what his proudest moment was, Osbourne said it was 'having a marriage that lasted'. The one with the bat By far Osbourne's most infamous moment occurred on stage in 1982 in Des Moines, Iowa, when he bit the head off a bat after mistaking it for a rubber toy. On TV show Night Flight in 1982, Osbourne said: 'The taste of bat is very salty. It tastes like salt'. Asked if bat tasted like anything else, the musician responded: 'Well yes, but I can't really say that on the air can I?' Osbourne described the incident in his memoir I Am Ozzy, writing in part: 'Immediately, though, something felt wrong. Very wrong. For a start, my mouth was instantly full of this warm, gloopy liquid, with the worst aftertaste you could ever imagine. I could feel it staining my teeth and running down my chin.' The decapitated dove That wasn't the end of Osbourne's animal run-ins. In 1981, after signing his first solo career record deal, Osbourne allegedly bit the head off a dove during a meeting with CBS Records executives in Los Angeles. Osbourne also reportedly snorted ants in 1984 while on tour with Mötley Crüe. Incident at the Alamo The musician has abused alcohol and other drugs for the majority of his adult life, which more than once landed him in legal hot water. In February 1982, Osbourne was arrested for urinating on the Alamo Cenotaph, a monument in San Antonio, Texas, commemorating the Battle of the Alamo of the Texas Revolution. After the incident, Osbourne was banned from performing in Alamo City for 10 years. He later apologised for the incident and returned to the Alamo in November 2015, when he took a tour of the Texas landmark as part of filming for the History Channel. The Osbournes was a TV show featuring the domestic life of Ozzy Osbourne, his wife Sharon, their daughter Kelly and their son Jack. Photo / MTV Home life goes global Osbourne and his family earned widespread attention and a new generation of fans in 2002 with the debut of MTV reality TV show The Osbournes. The unscripted series followed the family's surprisingly mundane domestic dynamic, celebrity encounters and run-ins with their Hollywood neighbours. The show's first season was cited as the most-viewed series ever on MTV. As well as day-to-day interactions (one of the show's most memorable scenes tracked Osbourne in a protracted struggle to work a complicated television remote), the show documented the family dealing with major personal challenges such as the aftermath of Osbourne's near-fatal ATV accident. Dinner and a show at The White House In 2002, at the peak of his reality TV career, Osbourne was invited to The White House Correspondence Dinner. Addressing guests, President George W. Bush singled out the rocker, welcoming 'Washington power brokers, celebrities, Hollywood stars, Ozzy Osbourne'. In return, Osbourne, who had made good use of the open bar, stood on the table and blew exaggerated kisses to the room. The President then muttered: 'Okay Ozzy... this might have been a mistake.' Parkinson's diagnosis Osbourne was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a degenerative nervous system disorder, in 2003 but kept the news private until early 2020. In 2022, he said of the illness: 'You think you're lifting your feet, but your foot doesn't move. I feel like I'm walking around in lead boots. I reached a plateau that was lower than I wanted it to be. Nothing really felt great. Nothing.' He also revealed he had started taking antidepressants to help with the mental toll of the disease, saying: 'You learn to live in the moment because you don't know [what's going to happen]. You don't know when you're gonna wake up, and you ain't gonna be able to get out of bed. But you just don't think about it. Without my Sharon, I'd be f***ing gone. We have a little row now and then, but otherwise, we just get on with it.' Some 45,000 fans attended Black Sabbath's Back to the Beginning concert on July 5. Photo / AFP Back to the beginning On July 5, Black Sabbath made their final appearance as a band, headlining Back to the Beginning, a one-day show in their hometown of Birmingham. Some 45,000 fans gathered at Villa Park (home to Osbourne's football club of choice, Aston Villa) to witness the band's farewell set and some of the other biggest names in rock pay musical homage to the band. Osbourne performed his half-hour set sitting in an ornate black chair. 'I've been laid up for six f***ing years, you have no idea how much this means to me,' he told the crowd. When the concert was announced, Sharon Osbourne said her husband had been determined to farewell his fans. 'This is his full stop,' she said.
Perth Now
19 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
'In the pantheon of rock gods': tributes flow for Ozzy
Elton John says Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne was a "huge trailblazer" who "secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods". He joined Black Sabbath co-founder Tony Iommi, Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and other famous faces in paying tribute to the British heavy metal singer after his death on Tuesday. Elton 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." Black Sabbath co-founder Tony Iommi said it was "brilliant" to reunite with the band just weeks before Osbourne died, saying the singer "really wanted" to perform together again and "felt at home". He told BBC Radio 4: "It is really a shock. It's really hit me today to be honest, but yeah, a terrible shock." On their reunion concert, Iommi said: "It was good for all of us, and lovely to be able to get together for a final thing. I mean, we didn't realise it was going to be this final. We didn't expect him to... but he hasn't looked well for a while." Wood joined Osbourne at Black Sabbath's last gig at Villa Park, Birmingham, earlier this month. He 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." Singer Yungblud, who sang Black Sabbath's Changes at the Back To The Beginning farewell concert on July 5, said he was "heartbroken" by the news and called Osbourne "the greatest of all time". "I didn't think you would leave so soon the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room," he wrote in a social media post. Motorhead said they had lost a "dear friend" in a post that recalled the band's late vocalist Lemmy's friendship with Osbourne. "We lost our dear friend today today. Ozzy was a pioneer, a guiding force for all in hard rock and metal, and a great guy too. "Lemmy and Ozzy were brothers in arms who enjoyed many adventures together, and his loss is seismic. RIP Ozzy, we will always love and celebrate you ...", they wrote. AC/DC posted that Osbourne's death was a "great loss to all that loved him", with Metallica members calling him an "icon" and "mentor" while sharing photos from rock photographers Ross Halfin and Noah Abrams. "He taught us how to play in the big leagues while at the same time being warm, welcoming, engaging, and all around brilliant," they wrote on Instagram. Among the other stars paying tributes were David Beckham, Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong, Queen guitarist Brian May and US movie star Adam Sandler, who said he felt "so happy" that he was able to meet Osbourne. May said Osbourne's final concert this month "was a glorious way to say goodbye". Aston Villa, Osbourne's home town football club, said it was "saddened" to learn of the star's passing. "Growing up in Aston, not far from Villa Park, Ozzy always held a special connection to the club and the community he came from," the club said. "The thoughts of everyone at Aston Villa are with his wife Sharon, his family, friends, and countless fans at this extremely difficult time."
Rhyl Journal
21 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Alice Cooper says Ozzy Osbourne was ‘unmatched showman and cultural icon'
Cooper, 77, whose real name is Vincent Damon Furnier, paid tribute to the heavy metal singer, joining the likes of Sir Elton John, Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and other famous faces, after his death was announced on Tuesday evening. Posting on Instagram, following a performance in Cardiff dedicated to the late singer, Cooper said: 'The whole world is mourning Ozzy tonight. A post shared by Alice Cooper (@alicecooper) '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 and roll legend. Rock and 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. 'A titanic boulder has crashed, but rock will roll on.' Sir Elton John remembered Osbourne as a 'huge trailblazer' who 'secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods'. Writing on Instagram, Sir Elton said: '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.' 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🙏☀️❤️🎤 — Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) July 22, 2025 The Rolling Stones' Wood also paid tribute after joining Osbourne at Black Sabbath's last gig at Villa Park, Birmingham, earlier this month. He 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.' Singer Yungblud, who sang Black Sabbath's Changes at the Back To The Beginning farewell concert on July 5, said he was 'heartbroken' by the news and called Osbourne 'the greatest of all time'. 'I didn't think you would leave so soon, the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room,' he wrote in a social media post. Rock band Motorhead said they had lost a 'dear friend' in a post that recalled the band's late vocalist Lemmy's friendship with Osbourne. The message read: 'We lost our dear friend today. Ozzy was a pioneer, a guiding force for all in hard rock and metal, and a great guy too. 'Lemmy and Ozzy were brothers in arms who enjoyed many adventures together, and his loss is seismic. RIP Ozzy, we will always love and celebrate you… ' AC/DC posted that Osbourne's death was a 'great loss to all that loved him', with Metallica members calling him an 'icon' and 'mentor' while sharing images from photographers Ross Halfin and Noah Abrams. 'He taught us how to play in the big leagues while at the same time being warm, welcoming, engaging, and all around brilliant,' they wrote on Instagram. Among the other stars paying tribute were former footballer Sir David Beckham, Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong, Van Halen's Sammy Hagar, Jon Bon Jovi, singer Donny Osmond, Queen guitarist Sir Brian May and US movie star Adam Sandler, who said he felt 'so happy' that he was able to meet Osbourne. Foo Fighters said in a social media post: 'Rock and Roll would not be as loud or as fun' without Osbourne, while Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant wrote he had 'truly changed the planet of rock'. Kiss bassist Gene Simmons told NBC News that behind the outgoing stage persona was a 'loving father' and 'dedicated husband'. 'There was never an Ozzy before Ozzy,' he said. Sir Brian said Osbourne's final concert earlier in the month 'was a glorious way to say goodbye' to the heavy metal vocalist who died on July 22 at the age of 76. Actor Jason Momoa shared a photo of himself alongside Osbourne and his wife Sharon to Instagram, writing: 'Love you @ozzyosbourne All my aloha @sharonosbourne and ohana. So grateful.' Aston Villa, Osbourne's home-town football club, said it was 'saddened' to learn of the star's passing. 'Growing up in Aston, not far from Villa Park, Ozzy always held a special connection to the club and the community he came from,' the club said. An honour to have celebrated the extraordinary life and legacy of Ozzy Osbourne just weeks ago. Devastated to hear the news of his death today. One of the greatest gifts my city gave the world. My thoughts are with his family. In Ozzy's own words: Birmingham forever. — Shabana Mahmood MP (@ShabanaMahmood) July 22, 2025 'The thoughts of everyone at Aston Villa are with his wife Sharon, his family, friends, and countless fans at this extremely difficult time.' Justice Secretary and Birmingham Ladywood MP Shabana Mahmood said she was among those who celebrated Osbourne's life and legacy just over two weeks ago. She wrote on X: 'Devastated to hear the news of his death today. One of the greatest gifts my city gave the world. 'My thoughts are with his family. In Ozzy's own words: Birmingham forever.'
Western Telegraph
33 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Alice Cooper says Ozzy Osbourne was ‘unmatched showman and cultural icon'
Cooper, 77, whose real name is Vincent Damon Furnier, paid tribute to the heavy metal singer, joining the likes of Sir Elton John, Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and other famous faces, after his death was announced on Tuesday evening. Posting on Instagram, following a performance in Cardiff dedicated to the late singer, Cooper 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 and roll legend. Rock and 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. 'A titanic boulder has crashed, but rock will roll on.' Sir Elton John remembered Osbourne as a 'huge trailblazer' who 'secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods'. Writing on Instagram, Sir Elton said: '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.' 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🙏☀️❤️🎤 — Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) July 22, 2025 The Rolling Stones' Wood also paid tribute after joining Osbourne at Black Sabbath's last gig at Villa Park, Birmingham, earlier this month. He 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.' Singer Yungblud, who sang Black Sabbath's Changes at the Back To The Beginning farewell concert on July 5, said he was 'heartbroken' by the news and called Osbourne 'the greatest of all time'. 'I didn't think you would leave so soon, the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room,' he wrote in a social media post. Rock band Motorhead said they had lost a 'dear friend' in a post that recalled the band's late vocalist Lemmy's friendship with Osbourne. The message read: 'We lost our dear friend today. Ozzy was a pioneer, a guiding force for all in hard rock and metal, and a great guy too. 'Lemmy and Ozzy were brothers in arms who enjoyed many adventures together, and his loss is seismic. RIP Ozzy, we will always love and celebrate you… ' AC/DC posted that Osbourne's death was a 'great loss to all that loved him', with Metallica members calling him an 'icon' and 'mentor' while sharing images from photographers Ross Halfin and Noah Abrams. 'He taught us how to play in the big leagues while at the same time being warm, welcoming, engaging, and all around brilliant,' they wrote on Instagram. Among the other stars paying tribute were former footballer Sir David Beckham, Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong, Van Halen's Sammy Hagar, Jon Bon Jovi, singer Donny Osmond, Queen guitarist Sir Brian May and US movie star Adam Sandler, who said he felt 'so happy' that he was able to meet Osbourne. Foo Fighters said in a social media post: 'Rock and Roll would not be as loud or as fun' without Osbourne, while Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant wrote he had 'truly changed the planet of rock'. Kiss bassist Gene Simmons told NBC News that behind the outgoing stage persona was a 'loving father' and 'dedicated husband'. 'There was never an Ozzy before Ozzy,' he said. Sir Brian said Osbourne's final concert earlier in the month 'was a glorious way to say goodbye' to the heavy metal vocalist who died on July 22 at the age of 76. Actor Jason Momoa shared a photo of himself alongside Osbourne and his wife Sharon to Instagram, writing: 'Love you @ozzyosbourne All my aloha @sharonosbourne and ohana. So grateful.' Aston Villa, Osbourne's home-town football club, said it was 'saddened' to learn of the star's passing. 'Growing up in Aston, not far from Villa Park, Ozzy always held a special connection to the club and the community he came from,' the club said. An honour to have celebrated the extraordinary life and legacy of Ozzy Osbourne just weeks ago. Devastated to hear the news of his death today. One of the greatest gifts my city gave the world. My thoughts are with his family. In Ozzy's own words: Birmingham forever. — Shabana Mahmood MP (@ShabanaMahmood) July 22, 2025 'The thoughts of everyone at Aston Villa are with his wife Sharon, his family, friends, and countless fans at this extremely difficult time.' Justice Secretary and Birmingham Ladywood MP Shabana Mahmood said she was among those who celebrated Osbourne's life and legacy just over two weeks ago. She wrote on X: 'Devastated to hear the news of his death today. One of the greatest gifts my city gave the world. 'My thoughts are with his family. In Ozzy's own words: Birmingham forever.'
