Ozzy Osbourne has been remembered as “the greatest of all time” and a “true legend”, as ITV News Arts Editor Nina Nannar looks back on his career
Black Sabbath and other stars have been paying tribute to the band’s frontman, Ozzy Osbourne, who has died at the age of 76.
Paying tribute to the megastar, Sir Elton John described Osbourne as a “true legend”.
“He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods,” he wrote on Instagram.
“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.”
The music superstar’s death was announced in a statement on Tuesday, saying he was “with his family and surrounded by love”.
Tributes have been laid at the Black Sabbath bridge in Birmingham Credit: PA Images
Black Sabbath bassist Terence “Geezer” Butler has said he is “so glad” the band reunited with Ozzy Osbourne one final time for 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 wrote on Instagram.
“So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.”
Jim Simpson, Black Sabbath’s first manager told ITV News Central that it was an “exceptionally sad time” and that Ozzy was “a good friend and a really nice guy”.
Black Sabbath’s eponymous debut album in 1970 made the UK top 10 and paved the way for a string of hit records.
They 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 And Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, and Osbourne was added for a second time last year.
Bandmates Bill Ward and Tony Iommi also expressed their grief.
Iommi, the band’s guitarist, said he was “devastated” by the news.
Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler, drummer Bill Ward, singer Ozzy Osbourne and guitarist Tony Iommi. Credit: PA
“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.
“Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls… no, you’re forever in my heart,” he posted.
The band’s first ever manager, Jim Simpson, told ITV News Central: “Out of all of the band, he was the one I was closest to.
“He was a very decent, quiet man – shy, insecure, very nice to be with, a gentleman. Easily swayed, easily led astray. But a very decent man. He’s a good friend.”
Flowers have been laid in Birmimgham Credit: PA Images
Fans have been paying tribute in his hometown of Birmingham, laying flowers at the Black Sabbath Bridge near Brindley Place.
Tributes have also been laid at the Sabbath Wall on Navigation Street in Birmingham.
The artwork was created by Mr Murals and all four band members paid a visit to sign the mural when it was completed in the run up to their final gig at the start of July.
Tributes are left by the Sabbath Wall on Navigation Street Credit: PA Images
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.
Singer Ozzy Osbourne performs during halftime of an NFL football game in 2022. Credit: AP
He released his twelfth studio album, Ordinary Man, in 2020, followed by Patient Number 9 in 2022, which went to number three and two in the UK charts, respectively.
In a statement on X, Metallica said it was “impossible to put into words what Ozzy Osbourne has meant” to the group.
“Hero, icon, pioneer, inspiration, mentor, and, most of all, friend are a few that come to mind,” the band wrote.
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Sir Rod Stewart also paid tribute on Instagram.
“Bye, bye Ozzy. Sleep well, my friend. I’ll see you up there — later rather than sooner,” he wrote.
Similarly, Nirvana thanked Osbourne “for the inspiration”.
“Black Sabbath is the template for heavy rock,” it wrote.
Singer Yungblud, who also performed at Villa Park on July 5, called him “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.
“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.”
Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne on stage at a show in central London. Credit: PA
Kiss bassist Gene Simmons said “fans are grieving” and people were “devastated” in the wake of Ozzy Osbourne’s death.
“People think of him as the Prince of Darkness on stage, of course, this huge persona,” he said in an interview with NBC News.
“At the same time, a loving father and a dedicated husband. You can say whatever you want about Ozzy, but there never was an Ozzy before Ozzy.”
Rocker Jon Bon Jovi sent well wishes to Sharon Osbourne in the wake of her husband Ozzy’s death aged 76.
“Much luv to Sharon and the beautiful Osbourne Family,” he captioned pictures of himself with Ozzy Osbourne on X.
“So sorry to hear of your loss. Rest easy Ozzy.”
Also paying tribute to the late singer was Kermit the Frog, who worked with Osbourne on the album Kermit: Unpigged.
The statement, shared on The Muppets Instagram account, said: “No-one rocked harder than the great Ozzy Osbourne.”
Osbourne grew up in Aston, not far from Villa Park.
Aston Villa Football Club also paid tribute to the rockstar, saying he “always had a special connection to the club and the community he came from”.
West Midlands mayor Richard Parker has said Birmingham will find a way of building on Ozzy Osbourne’s incredible legacy.
He added: “He’s one of us, there is an enormous amount of pride. He was forged by this place and he put this place on the map, and everyone could relate to him.
“I want other creatives like him in the city to be in a position where they can also reach to the stars and build profiles that will help put this city on the global map.”
He said The Crown pub, where Black Sabbath held their first gig, plays an important role in that legacy.
He continued: “We need to find a way of building on that legacy… I’m hoping that the work the city council is doing with other campaigners and with the owners of that property, we can also make The Crown a fitting tribute to the legend and the legacy of Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath.”
Osbourne 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.
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.
He released his 12th studio album, Ordinary Man in 2020, followed by Patient Number 9 in 2022, which went to number three and two in the UK charts, respectively.
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