Latest news with #Terence'Geezer'Butler
Glasgow Times
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Black Sabbath pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne following death
Osbourne died yesterday (July 22) at the age of 76 with his family at his side and 'surrounded by love'. The band's bassist Terence 'Geezer' Butler has said he was 'so glad' the band reunited with Osbourne one final time, just a few weeks ago. In a post on Instagram, Butler paid tribute to his long-time bandmate and friend, reflecting on their last 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.' 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.' 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. What was Ozzy Osbourne diagnosed with? 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. Recommended reading: 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.'
South Wales Argus
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Black Sabbath pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne following death
Osbourne died yesterday (July 22) at the age of 76 with his family at his side and 'surrounded by love'. The band's bassist Terence 'Geezer' Butler has said he was 'so glad' the band reunited with Osbourne one final time, just a few weeks ago. In a post on Instagram, Butler paid tribute to his long-time bandmate and friend, reflecting on their last 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.' 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.' 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. What was Ozzy Osbourne diagnosed with? 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. Recommended reading: 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.'
ITV News
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Black Sabbath's founding members awarded Freedom of the City of Birmingham
Black Sabbath's founding members have been awarded the Freedom of the City of Birmingham. The band formed in Aston in 1968. Terence 'Geezer' Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward were presented with their Freedom of the City scrolls and medals by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Zafar Iqbal, at a ceremony in the Council House on Saturday. "People used to make fun of our accents" Terence 'Geezer' Butler said: 'This is a great working class city, and we're all working class, from Aston. "We weren't given a chance when we started out, but Birmingham has always been behind us. People used to make fun of our accents, but we're all proud Birmingham people and we love this city. "It's one of the greatest cities ever, it's given the world so much and we're proud to be here". Tony Iommi said 'It's a great thing to receive. Birmingham is our home, and we love what Birmingham has done for us. "We've got the bridge and the bench, things like that. We're very grateful". What does the honour recognise ? Black Sabbath's significance to the cultural and musical identity of Birmingham their strong association with the city continued influence as pioneers of heavy metal in both Birmingham and beyond. "I'm a Brummie and I always will be a Brummie" Ozzy Osbourne said: 'I first put an advert in a music store in town. If these guys hadn't come to my door, I wouldn't be sitting here now. "It seems to have flown by so quickly. It's amazing. I think about my dad, who went into debt to buy me a microphone. "If only he could be here now. I think he would be very proud. I'm a Brummie and I always will be a Brummie. Birmingham Forever!' A new exhibition opened last week to commemorate the end of an era for singer Ozzy Osbourne, who will be performing for the final time in the city where it all started. Bill Ward said: 'It's completely overwhelming. I'm so proud to be an Astonian. That's where I got my attitude. It was a blessed – and cursed! – to meet Tony when I was 15, and I'm so proud that I got to know Geezer and Ozzy. "They're my brothers. I love them very much and we love our city very much". Black Sabbath's achievement so far: created eight albums, selling more than 75 million albums worldwide considered pioneers of the heavy metal genre, and one of the most commercially successful heavy metal bands inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 awarded a Lifetime Ivor Novello Songwriting Award in 2015 presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. Each band member was given the title of Honorary Freeman, and now have their names engraved on the Freedom of the City marble board, joining the Black Sabbath bridge on Broad Street as another permanent city tribute to them. Toby Williams, a student at the School of Jewellery at Birmingham City University, won a competition to create the medal design, inspired by the themes of industry and community to reflect the people of Birmingham. "Black Sabbath are global ambassadors of our city" Cllr Sharon Thompson, Deputy Leader of the City Council said: 'From the streets of Aston to global success, the ceremony has been a fitting celebration of their achievements and connection to our city, showcasing the band's incredible career as pioneers of heavy metal and recognising their continued legacy as part of Birmingham's rich musical identity. "Black Sabbath are global ambassadors of our city, and their music continues to inspire musicians across the world, so it has been wonderful to recognise the band with this honour.' Councillor Zafar Iqbal, Lord Mayor of Birmingham said: 'It is a pleasure to pronounce Terence 'Geezer' Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward as Freemen of the City of Birmingham. "The Freedom of the City is one of the oldest civic honours and given in recognition of exceptional service to Birmingham. "Conferring these honours on Black Sabbath's founding members, who are proud Brummies, is a fitting tribute to the band, marking their importance to Birmingham's cultural landscape and the pride of our city as their hometown".
