This July 22 marks one year since Ozzy Osbourne passed away at the age of 76, just a few weeks after performing his final solo show and final concert with Black Sabbath in his hometown of Birmingham at Villa Park. Throughout the day, fans gathered across the city to take part in events honoring the late musician. His Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward also paid tribute to their longtime friend on social media.
Black Sabbath bandmates tribute to Ozzy one year after his death
Tony Iommi
“Hi everyone. Well, it’s now a year since Ozzy’s passing and I still can’t believe that he’s not with us. I watch him on YouTube and it feels like he’s still here with us. We always stayed in touch, almost every week or so and we’d usually talk about our ailments and then about what we’d been doing that particular week.”
“The fans have been absolutely brilliant and the love and respect that they have shown for him has just been amazing.
I’m so glad that we were able to play one final show with the original line up of Sabbath at the Back To The Beginning show in our home town of Birmingham! There will never be another Ozzy. I miss you my dear friend. Tony🙏,” he said.
Geezer Butler
“One year ago today- hard to believe. I am so glad we were able to do the final show, back in our hometown, just a couple of weeks before Ozzy left us. Gone in body, but his legend lives on. Such incredible memories. Ozzy forever!”
Bill Ward
“Every day, there is a persistent silence, we miss you so much. Respectfully, with love to the Osbourne family. Bill and Jackie Ward family,” he said.
The “Back to the Beginning” festival happened on July 5, 2025, at the Villa Park in Birmingham, Sabbath’s hometown. During that festival, many bands like Metallica, Slayer, Guns N’ Roses and supergroups formed by former members of Ozzy’s solo years, paid tribute to him and Sabbath playing some of their famous tracks.