Just weeks after reuniting with Ozzy Osbourne for Black Sabbath’s final show at Villa Park, Birmingham, guitarist Tony Iommi has shared a deeply emotional tribute following Ozzy’s passing at age 76.
“I just can’t believe it!” Iommi wrote on X. “My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park. It’s just such heartbreaking news—I can’t really find the words. There won’t ever be another like him. Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother. My thoughts go out to Sharon and all the Osbourne family. Rest in peace, Oz.”
The July 5 reunion, billed Back to the Beginning, brought Ozzy back to the stage for a final time, performing seated on a throne due to advanced Parkinson’s disease. The event raised £140 million for Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Hospice and featured a stellar lineup including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, and Steven Tyler .
Iommi’s heartfelt words reflect the deep bond that defined Sabbath from its earliest days:
- Geezer Butler added: “Goodbye dear friend…so glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.”
- Bill Ward said: “Where will I find you now?…you’re forever in my heart.”
Ozzy’s family confirmed he passed peacefully on July 22, surrounded by loved ones, just 17 days after the band’s emotional finale .
Fans and rock legends alike have flooded social media with tributes, underline just how influential and beloved Ozzy was:
- Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin reflected: “Sail on up there…you truly changed the planet of rock!”
- Aston Villa FC honoured their legendary supporter: “Aston Villa Football Club is saddened…he always held a special connection to the club”
- Artists like Elton John, Metallica, and Green Day also expressed grief and gratitude to Ozzy’s legacy .
Ozzy Osbourne’s final show wasn’t just a farewell—it was a celebration of a lifetime defined by boundary-breaking music, raw charisma, and undeniable influence. As Tony Iommi said, their reunion at Villa Park was the moment when Black Sabbath truly bowed out—together.
