Black Sabbath guitarist and co-founder Tony Iommi has released a heartbreaking statement on the death of his lifelong friend and bandmate, Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away today, July 22, at the age of 76. Iommi expressed his profound shock and grief at losing his “dear dear friend” so soon after they shared the stage for a triumphant final concert.
In a message shared with the public, the iconic guitarist 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 directly references the band’s historic farewell performance on July 5. The “Back To The Beginning” show at Villa Park in their shared hometown of Birmingham was the first time the four original members of Black Sabbath—Osbourne, Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward—had performed together in nearly two decades. The event was a celebrated, emotional farewell, with a visibly joyous Osbourne performing from a throne for his adoring fans.
The passing of Osbourne marks the end of one of the most significant partnerships in music history. Iommi and Osbourne, alongside Butler and Ward, formed Black Sabbath in the late 1960s, and with Iommi‘s revolutionary guitar riffs and Osbourne‘s unmistakable vocals, they single-handedly created the genre of heavy metal.
Osbourne died today, on the morning of July 22, surrounded by his family, after a long and public battle with Parkinson’s disease and injuries sustained from a 2019 fall. Iommi‘s tribute is one of the first from Osbourne‘s closest musical peers and speaks to the deep, familial bond that underpinned the godfathers of heavy metal for more than 50 years.
His family issued a statement that says: “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 privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis.”
