Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne passed away on Tuesday (July 22). . He rose to prominence during the 1970s as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath, during which period he adopted the nickname "Prince of Darkness".
With his death music co-stars, bandmates and fans have paid their tributes. Black Sabbath’s co-founder Tony Iommi said they “lost our brother”
Iommi told BBC Radio 4's Today “He loved what he did, he loved music, he loved playing together, and I'm so glad we had the opportunity of getting together again to do the [farewell] show,”
Simlarly his other band mates also posted tribute on their socials. Drummer Bill Ward writing, "Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls? No, you're forever in my heart."
Bassist and lyricist Geezer Butler wrote: "Goodbye dear friend. Thanks for all those years - we had some great fun. Four kids from Aston - who'd have thought, eh?"
He continued “It was brilliant being with all the guys again, and the atmosphere, and it was brilliant for Ozzy because he really wanted to do that, he felt at home there and it was good for all of us.”
Metallica posted on X, “It’s impossible to put into words what Ozzy Osbourne has meant to Metallica. Hero, icon, pioneer, inspiration, mentor, and, most of all, friend are a few that come to mind. Ozzy and Sharon believed in us and transformed our lives and careers. He taught us how to play in the big leagues while at the same time being warm, welcoming, engaging, and all around brilliant.
We are heartbroken and devastated by this loss and send our love and condolences to Sharon and their family, bandmates, and his very large circle of friends. He left an incredible legacy and will be sorely missed.”
Henry Rollins former front man of Black Flag said, "It's rare that somebody can be so synonymous, but if you want to talk about heavy metal, first up it's Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath. Everyone else comes after.”
Aerosmith called him "our brother in rock", sending their love to "the millions around the world who felt his fire".
On instagram, former vocalist of Van Halen, Sammy Hagar wrote, “For him to have been that close to death on July 5 and still get up there and perform like he promised... Wow! That puts him in a category of his own”
AC/DC posted that Osbourne's death was a "great loss to all that loved him."
And the legend himself Sir Elton John grieved on Instagram, "great loss to all that loved him. 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."
American pop supernova Lady Gaga ended her first Mayhem Ball show in San Francisco wearing an Ozzy Osbourne T-shirt.
Front man of Led Zeppelin Robert Plant said, Ozzy had "truly changed the planet of rock".
Coldplay’s frontman Chris Martin played a rendition of Changes by Black Sabbath during their concert in Nashville. "OK Ozzy we love you, wherever you're going, thank you for everything" said Martin.
Alice Cooper dedicated his show in Cardiff to Ozzy and 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."
Billy Idol expressed that Osbourne "opened musical doorways for people like me at a time when we were very young and looking for inspiration" and the Foo Fighters said that "Rock and Roll would not be as loud or as fun" without Osbourne.
Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong wrote on instagram, "No words. We love you Ozzy." Front man of kiss Gene Simmons told BBC Breakfast: "I know that, right now, millions of fans around the world are crying and shocked, and my heart goes out to Sharon and the family and the fans.
"There were no airs about him - he's met kings queens, political leaders, I think it's fair to say there was never an Ozzy Osbourne before Ozzy, and there will be another Ozzy. He was a unique, loveable person."
Iron Maiden said Osbourne had "helped shape heavy metal as we know it and we will be forever grateful to Black Sabbath for forging the path that so many followed". Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, wrote: "We all loved him dearly. I'll miss him as a friend and a pillar of the spirit of rock n roll."
"But I'm so happy Ozzy had that last show that we all could share with him, it truly meant the world to one of the greatest of all time."
