The sudden death this weekof famed media personality, singer-songwriter, and all-around-eccentricmusic-makerOzzy Osbournecontinues to leave the world of entertainment in mourning. Just weeks afterhis final farewell concert took place, Osbourne’s passing at age 76 is believed to be relatedtodeclining health from stage 2 Parkinson’s disease and a chronic spinal condition.
Tributes had already been rolling in honoring Osbourne after his live stage grand finale, ranging fromhis greatest collaborations with other musiciansto the best performances from bandscovering songs by Osbourne’s famed group Black Sabbath. Now, many notable names are paying their heartfelt respects online, honoringthe timeless legacy left behind in death by Osbourne’s unforgettably signature shadow.
12Metallica
Big Break Beneficiaries
California heavy metal band Metallica have a long and loving history connected to the so-called “Prince of Darkness.” The grouphas often said they owe Osbourne jumpstarting their popular successafter he took Metallica on tour with him in 1986, providing an avenue to arenas filled with fans who contributed to a breakout of their then-just-released LP,Master of Puppets.
Metallica idolized Osbourne and also dreamed for years of playing with him on-stage, which they later did in 2009. Taking to social media, the band credited Osbourne and his wife Sharon for changing their lives and careers,calling Ozzy a “hero, icon, pioneer, inspiration, mentor, and most of all, friend,“adding that he’d be sorely missed.
11Elton John
An Unlikely Collaborator
Osbourne worked with the “Rocket Man” himself, Sir Elton John, on the title track of Osbourne’s twelfth solo album released in 2020, entitledOrdinary Man. The songaboutfears of age and fragility blends well between these unexpected bedfellows, and made for some of the best music Osbourne had done in years at that point.
It’s clear the relationship between the two went further than just the studio, though, as John referred to Osbourne as “a dear friend” in a post about his death on Instagram. John also referred to the singer as"a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods,“and “one of the funniest people I’ve ever met.”
10Kermit The Frog
A Fictional Character Farewell
You know you’ve made an entertainment impact when even fictional characters bid you farewell. Muppets legend Kermit the Frog did just that recently, with an online statement about Osbourne from the “Rainbow Connection” figure, calling him a “friend” who"made us feel just as cool as he was” every time they bumped into him.
Osbourne had a few storied Muppets encounters over the years, most famouslysinging the Steppenwolf rock hit “Born To Be Wild” with Miss Piggy in 1994 on the comedy albumKermit: Unpigged. He also met up with Kermit himself in 2002 when both legends were present at the Golden Jubilee for the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession.
9KISS
Two Members React
KISS bassist Gene Simmons talked about Osbourne during a television appearance in which he spoke glowingly of their friendship, whichbegan in 1975 when KISS opened for Black Sabbath on tour. He emotionally referred to Osbourne as a “pure human being, nonjudgemental” who was “an extraordinary individual.”
Fellow KISS member Paul Stanley also weighed in on Osbourne’s death on social media, saying, “We have lost a legend. From Sabbath to Blizzard and onward, Ozzyhas impacted countless bands and that will not end.” He added that Osbourne was “a kind and very funny soul” and he was humbled to open for Sabbath in the ’70s.
8Pearl Jam
A Guitarist’s Note Of Goodbye
Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready weighed in on the life of Ozzy Osbourne on behalf of the band, writing via social media about how he’dfirst discovered the singer when he was in high school. McCready described Osbourne’s voice as an “escape” that pulled him into “a dark universe” and helped make him into a fan.
McCready added that Osbourne’s prolific (and sadly all-too-brief guitarist Randy Rhoads)also inspired him to play the instrument. He closed by thanking Osbourne for the music, saying, “you made the ride of life better.”
7Black Sabbath
Members Mourning Their Own
Just weeksafter playing with Osbourne for (ultimately) the final time, fellow Black Sabbath members Tony Iommi and Bill Ward weighed in with emotional statements regarding the loss. Iommi referred to it as a shock that had only just started to sink in for him, and that the news had felt like a bad dream.
On social media, Ward questioned where he’d find Osbourne now, writing, “in the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls, no, you’re forever in my heart.” He concludedby saying never goodbye, and “thank you forever.”
6Yungblud
A Young Talent Takes The Torch
British rocker Yungblud, AKA Dominic Harrison, caused a stir by blowing the doors off a cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes” during the farewell gig for Osbourne. Backstage, Harrison also gave Osbourne a cross necklace similar to the one that Osbourne had given him, revealinghe’d never taken off the one he received from Ozzy.
In an Instagram post, Harrison lamented Osbourne’s passing, saying “I didn’t think you would leave so soon, the last time we met you were so full of life,” and that “your laugh filled up the room.” He added that he’d never forget Osbourne, stating, “you will be in every note I sing and with me every single time I walk onstage.”
5Aerosmith
A Salute To A Rock Sibling
The great rock band Aerosmith also lent their support to Osbourne’s “Back to the Beginning” concert, with lead singer Steven Tyler putting on a performancethat included a stirring cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.“They also added their recent condolences to Osbourne online, referring to him as “their brother in rock.”
The group went further, describing Osbourne as “A voice that changed music. From Black Sabbath to his solo work,Ozzy redefined what it meant to be heavy.” They praised Osbourne for his heart, grit, and wild spirit, and said that while he will be missed, he won’t be forgotten.
4System Of A Down
An Homage To An Idol
Hard rock band System Of A Downshared their loving memories of Osbourne on Instagram, with guitarist Daron Malakian describing a photo of the group with Osbourne as “living my dream standing next to the guy I idolized my whole life.” Shavo Odadjian simply said he was heartbroken and speechless by the news.
Frontman Serj Tankian (like Metallica) gave Osbourne credit for System of a Down’s breakthrough in the late ’90s by providing them a chance to play Ozzfest,the metal festival curated by Osbourne and his wife Sharon. Drummer John Dolmayan also recalled Osbourne for his unforgettable sense of humor.
3Korn
Another Band Honoring A Dark Prince
A common thread among many bands and artists saluting Ozzy Osbourne after his death isthe amount of talent he helped make successful. Count California nu-metal band Korn in that group, who made a statement thanking Osbourne for taking them on their first big arena tour and presenting them with their first gold record.
Frontman Jonathan Davis said in his own Instagram post that Osbourne meant the world to him, and he was going to “miss our little chats.” He added that “your memory andwhat you have done for music will live forever.”
