Guitarist Jake E. Lee, who played a crucial role in Ozzy Osbourne’s solo career during the 1980s, has shared a deeply personal message he received from the legendary singer just weeks before his passing. Osbourne, who died yesterday, July 22, at the age of 76, sent the text shortly after the historic “Back To The Beginning” concert on July 5 in Birmingham.
Lee, who performed as part of the event’s all-star “Supergroup,” took to social media to express his grief and reveal the heartfelt note from his former bandmate:
“Still processing it. The finality of it hits me in waves. This was a text I got from him as I was sitting in an airport headed back home two weeks ago:
“‘Hi Jake, I’m so sorry I couldn’t spend more time with you on the weekend but it was really chaotic. I would really like to see you when I eventually get back to LA just to shoot the s**t—it’s been so long since we saw each other. Where are you living these days? The last thing I heard was you were living in Las Vegas. How did the gig go for you on Saturday? I really hope you had fun. Anyway, I will text you when I eventually get back to LA and we must hook up. Much love and respect, OZZY.’”
“Back To The Beginning” was billed as Ozzy Osbourne’s final live performance and the last-ever reunion of BLACK SABBATH’s original lineup—Ozzy, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham. The historic event celebrated more than 50 years of heavy metal and drew tens of thousands of fans from around the world.
While an official cause of death has not been publicly confirmed, Ozzy Osbourne’s family stated that he passed away surrounded by loved ones after years of battling health issues. In recent years, the singer had been vocal about his struggle with Parkinson’s disease, which he publicly revealed in 2020, and complications from a serious 2019 fall that required multiple surgeries.
Osbourne’s declining health had forced him to retire from regular touring, but he remained determined to perform live when possible. His triumphant farewell concert earlier this month was both a celebration of his legendary career and a final gift to fans.
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