Gojira frontman Joe Duplantier has shared a powerful story about the moment he learned of Ozzy Osbourne‘s death, an event that unfolded in an unexpected and emotional way while he was on stage performing. In an interview with Guitar World, Duplantier recounted the surreal experience, which happened just weeks after Gojira had played Ozzy‘s final live show in Birmingham.
While playing the band’s song “Backbone” at a concert in Istanbul, Duplantier noticed a fan in the crowd holding up a phone with a message that read, “RIP OZZY.” At first, he dismissed it as a joke. “I was like, ‘What the hell? Please don’t – I’m working up here!’” he recalled. However, his manager soon confirmed the tragic news.
Visibly shaken, Duplantier took to the microphone to inform the audience. “I just heard and I don’t know if this is confirmed that Ozzy just died,” he said to a stunned crowd. “Ozzy Osbourne just died. So I’m sorry, but let’s just play something. This one is for Ozzy.” The band then launched into their song “Flying Whales,” as the audience held up their lights in tribute. “The reaction was insane: nobody said a word,” Duplantier said. “I could see people crying.”
In a twist of fate, the band had been considering playing a Black Sabbath cover at that very show. Duplantier admitted that while Gojira rarely performs covers, they had intended to play “Under the Sun.” “How crazy is that?” he said. “It was very powerful.”
Duplantier also spoke about the honor of performing at Ozzy‘s farewell concert, “Back to the Beginning.” Though he couldn’t attend the iconic group photo due to rehearsal conflicts, he did get a brief moment to meet the Prince of Darkness. “We stared at each other for a second and I was thinking, ‘Oh god, it’s the Prince of Darkness!’” Duplantier remembered.
Reflecting on Ozzy’s passing, Duplantier said he believed the timing was impeccable. “Somehow, the way Ozzy left us was absolutely impeccable. I’m sure it’s the way he wanted,” he said. “He said goodbye to the fans, made headlines – and then boom, he was out of here.”
