The month of July 2025 has been pretty crazy for me as an avid Ozzy and Black Sabbath fan. When I saw Ozz at Back to the Beginning, I was pretty convinced he was doing ok. I was relieved, actually. He sang more songs than anyone expected, and he sang them wonderfully. Even Tony Iommi, Sabbath’s legendary guitar player, mentioned that he thought Ozzy could have done more if they had more time. Just yesterday, hours before the announcement of Ozzy’s passing, I read an article that suggested Ozzy and Jake E. Lee may very well work together on a song for a new album in 2026.
Two hours later, my dad called to tell me the news, and maybe I shouldn’t have been, but I was very shocked. I still can’t wrap my mind around the fact that this was the same man that I had just travelled around the world to see and so impressed by what he pulled off that day. I knew it would be worth the trip, but I had no idea how important that trip would be for me in retrospect, less than three weeks later. I am sure many other fans feel the same way.
I think it’s important to remember, through all the grief and sadness, how crazy all this actually is. It’s an ending that truly befits the larger-than-life Rock and Roll Rebel Ozzy Osbourne. He’s been talking for years about how he wanted one last chance to perform and say goodbye to his fans. Not only did he get to do that, but he got to do it back at his childhood home. I can attest to the fact that even among the strangers in the crowd, it was all love for Ozzy and Sabbath that day, without question. It was a wild thing to be a part of, and I hope if the livestream didn’t give you the sense of being there, the theatrical release coming next year will.
In his final performance, he surpassed all musical expectations, said goodbye and thanked his fans not just in Birmingham, but all over the world. He mended his relationship with Jake E. Lee, and Jake even published a text message between him and Ozz this morning that is both touching and heartbreaking. That’s Jake’s story to share, so I suggest you check out his Facebook post to get his thoughts on that one. Finally, Ozzy and friends smashed the record for charitable donations made by a concert. Yes, that includes Live Aid with Freddie Mercury. He was back with his brothers in Black Sabbath, did it all one more time, and went out on his own terms. The rest of us should hope to be so fortunate.
I’m not going to use this space to write any long, crazy eulogy or anything (there are people way more qualified than me to do that. I’m just a record collector and a fan), and I’m not even going to list a discography and talk about that. I figured I would just make a post saying “thank you” not only to Ozzy for all the music and entertainment over the years. Obviously, he’s also been a main source of inspiration behind this blog and will continue to be. I also think it’s important to thank the Osbourne family. We almost certainly wouldn’t have had the Ozzy we all know and love, all the way into 2025, without his family, and specifically his wife Sharon, backing him all these years. I can only imagine how difficult a time this is for them.
For the rest of us, Ozzy was an ever-present enigma. I am confident that in many ways, he’ll continue to be. As fans, we are lucky that for the rest of our lives, he’ll be an ever-present fixture on our turntables, CD players and televisions. Those that knew him personally will have to face empty chairs, his absence at family gatherings and so much more, so please spare a thought for them. Ozzy has been an inspiration for musicians, songwriters, artists and multiple generations of music lovers and records collectors. Some of which aren’t even born yet, since I’m positive his legacy will live on, and his impact will continue to be felt for the rest of my life and beyond. “Crazy Train” was the reason I picked up a guitar for the first time, and I won’t be the last teenage boy to do that. Today, I hope Ozzy’s back with Randy and Lemmy and so many others. Somewhere beyond the veil. All I know for sure, is that You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll.