Bandmates and followers pay tribute to Black Sabbath singer

Music stars, followers and former bandmates have paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, the frontman of pioneering heavy metallic band Black Sabbath, who has died on the age of 76.

Black Sabbath have “lost our brother”, mentioned the band’s co-founder Tony Iommi, whereas bassist Geezer Butler remembered their closing gig and drummer Bill Ward shared an previous picture of them collectively.

The music icon’s dying on Tuesday got here lower than three weeks after his band performed their farewell gig in his dwelling metropolis of Birmingham.

“He loved what he did, he loved music, he loved playing together, and I’m so glad we had the opportunity of getting together again to do the [farewell] show,” Iommi instructed BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Wednesday.

“It was brilliant being with all the guys again, and the atmosphere, and it was brilliant for Ozzy because he really wanted to do that, he felt at home there and it was good for all of us.”

Osbourne, recognized for energetic and controversial stay exhibits, impressed a era of musicians.

“It’s impossible to put into words what Ozzy Osbourne has meant to Metallica,” the band mentioned in an announcement on X. “Hero, icon, pioneer, inspiration, mentor, and, most of all, friend are a few that come to mind.”

Henry Rollins, former frontman of hardcore band Black Flag, mentioned it was “rare that somebody can be so synonymous” with a particular musical style.

“But if you want to talk about heavy metal, first up it’s Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath. Everyone else comes after.”

US rock band Aerosmith known as him “our brother in rock”, sending their like to “the millions around the world who felt his fire”.

Osbourne’s bandmates in Black Sabbath all shared separate tributes on social media.

Drummer Bill Ward seemed again at their time collectively and mentioned: “Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls? No, you’re forever in my heart.”

Bassist and lyricist Geezer Butler wrote: “Goodbye dear friend. Thanks for all those years – we had some great fun. Four kids from Aston – who’d have thought, eh?”

On 5 July, the self-styled “prince of darkness” carried out in Birmingham supported by most of the musicians he had impressed, together with Metallica and Guns N’ Roses.

Billy Corgan, lead singer of The Smashing Pumpkins – one of many many bands that carried out alongside them – mentioned: “Some of the biggest musical artists in the world travelled from all over the world to be there literally to celebrate the legacy of this band.

“It’s one of many biggest musical moments of my life,” added Corgan, who spoke to BBC Radio 4’s The World Tonight.

“For him to have been that near dying on July 5 and nonetheless rise up there and carry out like he promised… Wow! That places him in a class of his personal,” Sammy Hagar, former vocalist of Van Halen, who additionally performed on the farewell live performance, wrote on Instagram.

AC/DC posted that Osbourne’s dying was a “nice loss to all that cherished him”, whereas Sir Elton John posted on Instagram: “So unhappy to listen to the information of Ozzy Osbourne passing away.

“He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods – a true legend.

“He was additionally one of many funniest individuals I’ve ever met. I’ll miss him dearly. To Sharon and the household, I ship my condolences and love.”

Foo Fighters wrote that “Rock and Roll wouldn’t be as loud or as enjoyable” with out Osbourne; whereas Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant mentioned he had “actually modified the planet of rock”.

US rock singer Alice Cooper dedicated his show in Cardiff on Tuesday to Osbourne, and said in a statement: “The complete world is mourning Ozzy tonight. Over his lengthy profession, he earned immense respect amongst his friends and from followers all over the world as an unmatched showman and cultural icon.”

Billy Idol mentioned Osbourne “opened musical doorways for individuals like me at a time once we have been very younger and searching for inspiration”, while Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong posted a photo of the singer on Instagram and wrote: “No phrases. We love you Ozzy.”

Kiss frontman Gene Simmons instructed BBC Breakfast: “I do know that, proper now, thousands and thousands of followers all over the world are crying and shocked, and my coronary heart goes out to Sharon and the household and the followers.

“There were no airs about him – he’s met kings queens, political leaders, I think it’s fair to say there was never an Ozzy Osbourne before Ozzy, and there will be another Ozzy. He was a unique, loveable person.”

Yungblud, who carried out a canopy of Changes on the farewell live performance with Black Sabbath in Birmingham simply weeks in the past, hailed Osbourne as a “legend” and mentioned “I didn’t think you would leave so soon”.

Announcing the star’s dying on Tuesday, his household mentioned in an announcement: “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.”

London metallic band Iron Maiden posted their very own tribute on-line, saying Osbourne had “helped shape heavy metal as we know it and we will be forever grateful to Black Sabbath for forging the path that so many followed”.

Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash, who carried out on the star’s latest closing gig, wrote: “We all loved him dearly. I’ll miss him as a friend and a pillar of the spirit of rock n roll.”

He added: “But I’m so happy Ozzy had that last show that we all could share with him, it truly meant the world to one of the greatest of all time.”

Others shared fond recollections of Osbourne’s larger-than-life character.

Variety journal’s senior leisure editor Jem Aswad recalled the primary time he met Osbourne, he was “nervous” to satisfy the prince of darkness.

“It was just this sort of really bizarre scene,” Aswad instructed the BBC.

Osbourne entered the room close to midday in a bathrobe, having “just woken up”, sporting a great deal of jewelry and equipment and “a lot of gold”, Aswad mentioned, although including that Osbourne was “perfectly nice, perfectly friendly”.

Meanwhile, followers laid flowers at a mural for the band in Birmingham, and gathered on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles.

“Osbourne was more than a rock legend – he was a cultural icon who reshaped music and defied expectations,” mentioned Ana Martinez, the venue’s producer.

Black Sabbath have been pioneers within the heavy metallic style of music, writing traditional tracks like Paranoid, War Pigs and Iron Man.

After leaving the band in 1979 over rising tensions with its different members, Osbourne had a prolonged solo music profession releasing greater than a dozen albums. His debut single launched the following 12 months, Crazy Train, is arguably one among his most well-known songs.

In the 2000s, his wild picture was reworked because of the MTV actuality present The Osbournes – which portrayed the star because the well-meaning, steadily befuddled patriarch of an unruly family.

Osbourne is survived by his spouse Sharon and 6 kids, three from every of his two marriages.

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