The music industry has been paying tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who died yesterday, age 76, less than three weeks after reuniting with his Black Sabbath bandmates for a farewell show at Villa Park in Aston in his hometown of Birmingham.
Osbourne’s death was confirmed in a short statement issued by his family, including wife and manager Sharon. It said, “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love”.
Both Sony Music and Warner Music have issued statements paying tribute to the musician. Sony had a long relationship with Osbourne around his solo releases, while Warner Music released Black Sabbath’s albums in the US from 1970 to 1987, including the first eight albums, which featured Osbourne as frontman.
Sony’s statement reads: “Sony Music is deeply saddened by the passing of our legendary recording artist Ozzy Osbourne. He redefined the sound and spirit of rock music and became an unmistakable voice and icon for his millions of fans around the world” .
“Two weeks ago, the overwhelming love for him was exemplified by the rock community and his fans at Villa Park in his triumphant final show”, it adds. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his wonderful close-knit family, friends and his legions of fans. His music will live on”.
Warner Music’s President Of Global Catalogue, Kevin Gore, says, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of the one and only Ozzy Osbourne, one of rock’s greatest singers, songwriters and showmen”.
“As a founding member of Black Sabbath”, he goes on, “Ozzy was an irrepressible frontman who created in his own brilliant, unpredictable way the very language of heavy metal – occult imagery, sardonic humor, violent daydreaming, surprising romanticism and, at its heart, a body of work that has moved and inspired generations of fans and artists for the past seven decades”.
Osbourne’s Black Sabbath bandmates have also paid tribute, including Geezer Butler, who wrote on social media, “Goodbye dear friend – thanks for all those years – we had some great fun. Four kids from Aston – who’d have thought, eh? So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston”.
Meanwhile Bill Ward wrote, “Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls, no, you’re forever in my heart”.
Numerous other musicians have also posted tributes to Osbourne online.
Among them Metallica, who wrote, “It’s impossible to put into words what Ozzy Osbourne has meant to Metallica. Hero, icon, pioneer, inspiration, mentor and, most of all, friend are a few that come to mind”.
“Ozzy and Sharon believed in us and transformed our lives and careers”, they add. “He taught us how to play in the big leagues while at the same time being warm, welcoming, engaging and all around brilliant. He left an incredible legacy and will be sorely missed”.
Among the younger artists paying tribute was Yungblud, who wrote, “I didn’t think you would leave so soon, the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room. But as it is written with legends, they seem to know things that we don’t”.
“I will never forget you”, he added, “you will be in every single note I sing and with me every single time I walk on stage. You asked me once if there was anything you could do for me and, as I said then and as I will say now, for all of us the music was enough”.
“You took us on your adventure – an adventure that started it all”, he concluded. “I am truly heartbroken. You were the greatest of all time”.
