In the wake of his death, Ozzy Osbourne’s Black Sabbath bandmate is shedding light on the quiet struggle behind the rock group’s final show.
Tony Iommi, Black Sabbath guitarist and co-founder, told UK broadcaster ITV that Osbourne was “frustrated” during the band’s farewell concert on July 5. The heavy metal icon died less than three weeks later, on July 22, at age 76.
“I think he was moved and frustrated as well, ’cause he wanted to stand up,” Iommi, 77, told the outlet on July 23. “You could see he was trying to get up.”
The “Crazy Train” singer, who had struggled with Parkinson’s disease since his diagnosis in 2020, performed from a black leather chair during the show at Villa Park in Birmingham.
Though the throne, decorated with a bat motif, was classic Ozzy, Iommi told BBC Radio 4’s “Today” on July 23 that sitting onstage wasn’t quite what his bandmate wanted.
“I think of him and the fun we had, really. That’s what was weird about this show because Ozzy was seated in a throne, and that’s the last thing that Ozzy would have ever wanted to be but it had to,” he said. “Normally, he’s bouncing around onstage and coming up to me and pulling faces. He’d always have a laugh.”
Iommi told ITV that Osbourne had texted him the day before he died, saying he was tired and had no energy.
“We could see it in rehearsal,” he explained. “We didn’t want him there every day at rehearsal because it’s too much. He just wouldn’t be able to stand it.”
He continued, “They’d bring him in, and he’d sit down and sing a few songs. And then, we’d talk about some rubbish, old times, or whatever, have a laugh, and then he’d go.”
Still, Iommi said the final performance “meant everything to [Osbourne].”
“This is what we built up for — for that big ending, where he could see all the people, and we could all see all the people and close it in that way,” he added. “We didn’t expect to close it so quick with us. We didn’t expect him to go that quick, really. We didn’t expect him to go, so it’s been a shock.”
After news broke of the Prince of Darkness’ passing, Iommi took to Instagram to pay tribute to his late bandmate.
Alongside a carousel of throwback photos of Osbourne and Black Sabbath, he wrote: “I just can’t believe it! My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park. It’s just such heartbreaking news that I can’t really find the words, there won’t ever be another like him. Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother. My thoughts go out to Sharon and all the Osbourne family. Rest in peace Oz.”
Fellow Black Sabbath members bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward also shared heartfelt messages in the wake of Osbourne’s death.
Butler, 76, for his part, posted on Instagram: “Goodbye dear friend- thanks for all those years- we had some great fun. 4 kids from Aston- who’d have thought, eh? So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.”
Ward, 77, wrote on X: “Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls, no, you’re forever in my heart. Deepest condolences to Sharon and all the family members. RIP Sincere regrets to all the fans. Never goodbye. Thank you forever.”