BLACK SABBATH guitarist and co-founder Tony Iommi has released a heartfelt statement following the passing of his lifelong friend and bandmate, Ozzy Osbourne. The legendary frontman died today, July 22, at the age of 76, leaving the heavy metal world in mourning.
Iommi expressed his deep shock and grief over the loss of his “dear dear friend,” reflecting on their recent reunion for a historic farewell performance.
In an emotional message shared with fans, Iommi wrote: “I just can’t believe it! My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park.
“It’s just such heartbreaking news that 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. — Tony”
Iommi’s statement references the band’s monumental “Back To The Beginning” show at Villa Park on July 5, where the four original members of BLACK SABBATH—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—performed together for the first time in nearly 20 years. The event, held in their hometown of Birmingham, was a triumphant and emotional farewell. Osbourne, visibly moved, performed from a throne, thanking fans for their unwavering support over the decades.
The death of Osbourne marks the end of one of rock’s most iconic partnerships. Alongside Iommi, Butler, and Ward, Ozzy helped form BLACK SABBATH in the late 1960s. With Iommi’s groundbreaking guitar work and Ozzy’s unmistakable voice, the band created heavy metal as we know it, influencing generations of musicians and fans.
Osbourne passed away this morning, surrounded by his family, after a long and public struggle with Parkinson’s disease and complications stemming from a 2019 fall. Iommi’s tribute stands as one of the first from Ozzy’s closest musical family, reflecting the deep brotherhood that defined BLACK SABBATH for over half a century.
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