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Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath reunited for a final performance shortly before his passing, marking the last time bassist Terence “Geezer” Butler would see his longtime friend.
Reflecting on their nearly six-decade history since forming the band in 1968, Butler shared memories of his time with Osbourne and the significance of their last show together near their hometowns.
The iconic musician, known as the Prince of Darkness, passed away on Tuesday, July 22, at the age of 76.
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Geezer Butler recalled the last time he spoke to his longtime friend and Black Sabbath bandmate, Ozzy Osbourne. (Tibrina Hobson)
Butler described Ozzy as a “born entertainer” who always sought to bring laughter to those around him. He affectionately referred to his friend as the “Prince of Laughter.”
Prior to the July 5 concert, Butler acknowledged that he knew about Osbourne’s health struggles, but was taken aback by how frail Ozzy appeared in his final days.
“I knew he wasn’t in good health, but I wasn’t prepared to see how frail he was,” Butler shared in an essay published in The Sunday Times.
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“He was assisted into the rehearsal room by two helpers and a nurse, using a black cane embellished with gold and precious stones, in true Ozzy fashion,” Butler added.
Butler continued, “He didn’t say much beyond the usual greetings and sat in a chair when performing. After a few songs, we could see that it was taking a toll on him. We had a brief conversation, but he was quieter than the Ozzy we knew. After a couple more weeks, we were ready for the show.”
Osbourne performed with Black Sabbath for one final concert on July 5. (REUTERS/Sachin Ravikumar)
Osbourne was a founding member of Black Sabbath in 1968. (Michael Putland/Getty Images)
The 10-hour show, hosted by Jason Momoa, featured performances from Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Jack Black, Steven Tyler , and others. During the event, legendary drummers engaged in a drum battle while playing a cover of Sabbath’s “Symptom of the Universe.”
For the grand finale, Osbourne was carried to the stage on a black throne adorned with skulls and a black bat. Despite being seated throughout the set, he delivered unforgettable performances of hits like “Crazy Train” and “Mama I’m Coming Home.”
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“You have no idea how I feel,” Osbourne expressed to the audience. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Butler recalled that the “strangest part of the show was the end.”
Black Sabbath included Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward, and Ozzy Osbourne. (Chris Walter/WireImage)
“Usually, we would embrace each other and bow to the audience,” Butler wrote. “But Ozzy was on his throne, and we hadn’t planned for that. What should we do? Tony shook his hand, I presented him with a cake, but it felt odd to conclude our story like that.
“I wish I had more time backstage with Ozzy, but regrets are useless now. As Ozzy used to say: ‘Wish in one hand and s–t in the other and see which comes first.'”
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Butler added, “None of us expected him to pass away just over two weeks after the final show. However, I am grateful that we had the opportunity to perform together one last time in front of his devoted fans. The outpouring of love from the fans, bands, musicians, singers, and solo artists that night was extraordinary.
WATCH: Ozzy Osbourne during his final performance with Black Sabbath
“Everyone came to pay tribute to the Prince. I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent most of my life with him. There are countless things I could reflect on that I should have expressed, but how can I summarize 57 remarkable years of friendship in just a few paragraphs? Rest in peace, Oz, it has been an incredible journey! Love you!”
Originally from Aston, West Midlands, U.K., Ozzy initially gravitated towards theater as a child but ultimately pursued music after hearing a particular song by The Beatles.
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“When I heard ‘She Loves You,’ my world transformed like a shooting star,” Osbourne once shared with Esquire. “It was a transcendent experience. The universe shifted. I used to dream that Paul McCartney would marry my sister.”
After leaving school as a teenager, Ozzy spent six weeks in prison for a robbery conviction. It was in 1967 that Butler recruited him as a vocalist for a band that would later become Black Sabbath.
Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne tied the knot on July 4, 1982. (Greg Doherty/Getty Images)
In the years leading up to his passing, Osbourne reflected on the legacy he wished to leave behind as his Parkinson’s disease advanced.
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“My legacy is my perseverance,” he told People magazine. “I mean, I’m 73. People say, ‘Well, you’re 70 … why not throw in the towel?’ Why should I? People still want to listen to my music. People still want to see me, so why stop? It motivates me to get moving and do something. If my career had tanked, and I knew it was the end, I’d be pretty miserable.”
Ozzy is survived by his wife Sharon, daughters Kelly and Aimee, son Jack, as well as daughter Jessica, and sons Elliot and Louis from his first marriage to Thelma Riley.
