Rock Legend Ozzy Osbourne Passes Away: Stars Pay Tribute to Black Sabbath Icon

The rock world has suffered a tremendous loss with the death of Ozzy Osbourne at the age of 76. In response to the news, peers from the genre he loved have quickly come forward to pay their respects and highlight his musical achievements, both as the lead vocalist of the hard rock band Black Sabbath and as a solo artist.

The members of Black Sabbath were among the first to honor their former bandmate and friend. Guitarist Tony Iommi expressed his grief on the social platform X: “I just can’t believe it! My very dear friend Ozzy is gone, just weeks after our performance at Villa Park. I am so devastated that I am lost for words—there will never be another like him. Geezer, Bill, and I have lost our brother. My thoughts are with Sharon and the entire Osbourne family. Rest in peace, Oz.”

Drummer Bill Ward followed with his own tribute: “Where will I find you now? In memories, our silent hugs, our missed calls? No, you will always be in my heart. My deepest condolences to Sharon and all the Osbourne family members. RIP and heartfelt regrets to all the fans. Never goodbye. Thank you forever.”

Geezer Butler, the bassist, added: “Farewell dear friend—thank you for all these years—we had a great time. Four kids from Aston—who would have thought, huh? So glad we could do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.”

The Idol of Rockstars

Ozzy Osbourne’s influence extended beyond Black Sabbath and their followers. The artist behind No More Tears made a lasting impact on the rock scene, a fact acknowledged by many in the industry. He notably mentored the young artist Yungblud, who confessed: “I didn’t think you would leave us so soon. The last time we met, you were full of life, and your laughter filled the room.” Yungblud continued, “I will never forget you. You will be in every note I sing and with me every time I take the stage. The cross around my neck is my most treasured possession. You once asked if there was anything you could do for me, and as I said then and I say now, the music was enough.”

Jonathan Davis, the vocalist of nu-metal band Korn, shared his feelings on Instagram: “This man meant the world to me. He was one of my musical heroes and did so much for me personally and for Korn. I’ll miss our little chats.”

This sentiment was echoed by many others. “Thank you for everything you did for metal and for Pantera,” stated the band Pantera on Instagram, supported by Foo Fighters: “Thanks for a lifetime of inspiration. Rock and Roll wouldn’t be as loud or as fun without you.” Metallica also expressed their sadness on Instagram with a simple broken heart caption.

Osbourne, who had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for several years, organized the concert Back to the Beginning with Tom Morello in his hometown earlier in the month. His family has released a statement asking for privacy during this difficult time.