As rain gently fell over a crowd of thousands on July 5, the lights of the «Back to the Beginning» concert stage glowed with more than just nostalgia. It was a moment decades in the making—the original members of Black Sabbath, the legendary Birmingham-born rock band that helped define heavy metal, reunited one final time. But behind the music, a far more intimate, emotional story was unfolding: the farewell of Ozzy Osbourne.
Just weeks after that final performance, Ozzy Osbourne, the man once known to the world as the «Prince of Darkness,» passed away at the age of 76. His death, confirmed in a heartfelt family statement, closed the final chapter of one of rock music’s most iconic and complex figures.
Now, his longtime friend and bandmate, Geezer Butler, has shared the quiet, heartbreaking reality of Ozzy’s final weeks.
A Reunion Written in Time and in Shadows
In an emotional essay for The Sunday Times, Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler reflected on the band’s final reunion and rehearsals at a remote studio in Oxfordshire. For Butler, guitarist Tony Iommi, and drummer Bill Ward, dusting off the classics was as much about reconnecting as it was reliving their musical legacy.
«Of course, not having played together for 20 years, it took a couple of days to get rid of the rust,» Butler admitted. But that rust melted away quickly as the old rhythms returned—until the moment Ozzy entered the room.
«I knew he wasn’t in good health, but I wasn’t prepared to see how frail he was,» Butler wrote. «He was helped into the rehearsal room by two helpers and a nurse, and was using a cane—being Ozzy, the cane was black and studded with gold and precious stones.»
Though he greeted his old bandmates with warmth, Ozzy spoke little. He sat through the rehearsals, delivering his vocals from a chair. «After six or seven songs, we could see it was exhausting him,» Butler added. «He was really quiet compared with the Ozzy of old.»
The Show Must Go On
Despite his failing health, Ozzy Osbourne took the stage one last time for Black Sabbath’s final show—one that would become his last public performance. For fans, it was a historic reunion; for the band, it was a moment suspended between glory and grief.
The «Back to the Beginning» concert was never announced as a farewell—but in hindsight, it was. It marked the culmination of a career that spanned more than 50 years, from gritty clubs in Birmingham to stadiums across the globe. Ozzy’s legacy, both as the frontman of Black Sabbath and as a solo artist, had already been secured. But this performance was different. It was a parting gift.
A Family’s Final Goodbye
Ozzy died peacefully at his home in Buckinghamshire, surrounded by his family, just weeks after the concert. Sharon Osbourne, his wife of over four decades, and their children Jack, Kelly, Aimee, and Louis had flown in from Los Angeles to be at his side.
In a statement released shortly after his passing, the family wrote:
«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’s privacy at this time.»
The message resonated with millions around the world who had followed Ozzy’s journey—from his rough beginnings in Birmingham, through his battles with addiction, to his resurrection as a cultural icon and family man.
The Man Behind the Myth
To many, Ozzy Osbourne was more than a rock star. He was an emblem of contradiction: wild yet wise, unpredictable yet deeply human. The outrageous tales—biting the head off a bat, his stormy MTV reality show, and public antics—were often overshadowed by his vulnerability, humility, and love of music.
Even in his later years, facing Parkinson’s disease and multiple surgeries, Ozzy remained committed to his fans. He made it clear: as long as he could perform, he would.
That commitment—to music, to his bandmates, and to the audience—carried him to that final stage in July, despite the toll it took on his body.
The Legacy Left Behind
Ozzy Osbourne’s death marks not just the passing of a music legend, but the end of an era. Black Sabbath’s influence can still be heard in countless modern acts across metal, rock, and beyond. The band’s rebellious spirit, crushing riffs, and apocalyptic lyrics shaped generations.
But what stood out most in the end was the loyalty of the bandmates who stood beside him, and the love of the fans who never left his side.
Geezer Butler’s tribute is not just a eulogy. It’s a reminder that legends are human—that even the loudest voices eventually fade, and when they do, they deserve to be remembered with honesty, dignity, and the same passion they once gave to the world.
«Rest easy, Ozzy. The stage may be empty, but the echoes of your voice will never die.»
