Upon hearing the news of the death of the iconic Ozzy Osbourne, dozens of artists from the metal music scene and beyond rushed to honor the Prince of Darkness, either with statements or by performing his songs at their concerts.
Tony Iommi, guitarist and co-founder of BLACK SABBATH, issued an emotional message: ” 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. Our thoughts are with Sharon and the Osbourne family. Rest in peace.” Similar statements were also released by Bill Ward and Geezer Butler.
IRON MAIDEN said in an official statement: ” Everyone connected with IRON MAIDEN sends their sincere condolences to Sharon & the Osbourne Family on the sad announcement of Ozzy’s passing. He 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. RIP Ozzy Osbourne.” JUDAS PRIEST sent a similar message: “Our hearts are broken, as are those of millions of fans around the world. Words cannot express the love and loss we feel. Sharon, may God surround you and your beautiful family with love, peace and light. Ozzy, you will never leave us. Your music is eternal. May God bless you now more than ever.” JUDAS PRIEST was unable to attend “Back to the Beginning” due to commitments with SCORPIONS, but they made sure to honor SABBATH’s legacy with a cover of “War Pigs” earlier in July.
Even artists outside the metal scene paid tribute to Ozzy. LADY GAGA performed “Crazy Train” at a concert in San Francisco, COLDPLAY performed “Changes” in Nashville, and Yungblud, who participated in “Back to the Beginning,” said, among other things, that “Ozzy, you will be in every note I sing and you will be with me every time I go on stage. Your cross around my neck is the most precious thing I have. You once asked me if there was anything you could do for me, and I replied that your music was enough. You took us with you on your adventure. An adventure that started it all.”
SYSTEM OF A DOWN, who owe much of their fame in the late 1990s to their participation in Ozzfest, described him in a statement by Serj Tankian as their musical godfather, as he introduced them to the world of Ozzfest when they were a young band at the time. As Tankian says, Ozzy was always funny and rejected hypocrisy, a trait he will always admire and consider important. Randy Blythe of LAMB OF GOD posted a photo of himself with Ozzy just 10 days before his death and said that Ozzy was in a great mood and still feeling the effects of BLACK SABBATH’s last live performance. In fact, Blythe mentioned that the band had passed by the house where Ozzy spent his childhood on Lodge Road, and Ozzy replied that whoever lives there now must be sick of hearing about Ozzy.
Even organizations issued relevant statements. Such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), an organization dedicated to animal protection, stated that they will always remember the Prince of Darkness for his sensitive side, which he always showed towards animals, as he helped raise awareness of animal protection issues on many occasions. Even the organization that manages the Alamo, the famous monument commemorating the 1836 battle between Texans and Mexicans, issued a statement saying they were saddened by the loss of Ozzy, with whom they had had a rocky relationship since Ozzy urinated on the monument’s base in 1982. However, as they report, the reconciliation eventually became part of their history.
Other artists who either mentioned Ozzy or played one of his songs included David Lee Roth, DEG LEPPARD, Joan Jett, Patt Boone, Henry Rollins, PANTERA, Alice Cooper, Mich Jones, Bob Daisley, MACHINE HEAD, Cyndi Lauper, Wolfgang Van Halen, GHOST, METALLICA, MOTLEY CRUE’s Nikki Sixx, DREAM THEATER, MASTODON and many others.
Ozzy’s legacy is huge and eternal and Heavy Metal will always owe him a lot!
