Ozzy Osbourne Death Latest: World Mourns ‘Unmatched’ Black Sabbath Star As Wife Sharon Shares Statement

Sheffield-based Rock Act Def Leppard has shared a number behind the scenes of photos of themselves with Ozzy when they supported him on his tour in 1981.

Lead singer Joe Elliott wrote: “Kinda lost for words here … We toured with Ozzy in 81, and he, the band and Sharon were so supportive.

“He was funny, charming and I for one is eternally grateful to have had the chance to spend precious time with him over the years … all my love for Sharon & the kids … God bless you, ozzy.”

A bit of a Throwback story here. Back in January 2024, Osbourne praised the rapper T-Pain for his version of a classic Black Sabbath Song, which calls it “the best cover of ‘war pig’ ever.”

Writing on X/Twitteradded the heavy metal pioneer, “Why didn’t you call me?”

In response, T-Pain wrote: “You are always invited. Top on the list, every time !! Thanks so much. Means a lot to come from the greatness yourself.”

A Birmingham Museum hosting an exhibition dedicated to Ozzy Osbourne has opened a condolence book for fans to pay tribute to him.

The exhibition, Ozzy Osbourne: The working class hero celebrating Rock Star and album art from the original Black Sabbath-Line-Up, opened at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery on June 25 to coincide with their return concert in Villa Park on July 5.

Zak Mensah and Sara Wajid, co-chief leaders of the Birmingham Museum Trust, said, “We are shocked and sad to hear about Ozzy Osbourne’s death less than three weeks after he played at Villa Park when he and Black Sabbath said their last goodbye to the stage. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

“We know that many fans will pay tribute to him, and we are honored to host a condolence book at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery together with the current exhibition showing his solo results and global awards.

“Although this is a sad time, we will continue to celebrate Ozzy, his heritage and what he means to the city and beyond.”

Motorhead has called Ozzy Osbourne a “Dear Friend” as the rock anguish mourned over the loss of the Black Sabbath Star.

The “Ace of Spades” law, whose own frontman Lemmy died in 2015, wrote on Instagram: “We lost our dear, dear friend today. Ozzy was a pioneer, a guiding force for everyone in hard rock and heavy metal and a fantastic guy.

“Lemmy and Ozzy were brothers in weapons that enjoyed many adventures together for decades and his loss is seismic. Rest peaceful, Ozzy. We will always love and celebrate you …”

Osbourne’s Black Sabbath bandmates Geezer Butler and Bill Ward have hailed the front man.

Butler, the band’s bassist, wrote on Instagram: “Goodbye Dear Ven- Thank you for all these years- we had fun. 4 children from Aston had thought, right? So glad we should do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.”

Drummer Ward wrote: “Where do I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our unanswered phone calls, no, you’re forever in my heart.

“Deepest compassion for Sharon and all family members. Rip sincere regrets to all fans. Never goodbye. Thanks forever.”

Nu-Metal Act Korn has thanks to Ozzy Osbourne for taking them out about the music industry and for having allowed them to support him while on tour.

The band wrote on social media: “Ozzy took us to our very first big arenatur. He and Sharon presented us to our first gold record. He taught us so much about the music industry and we looked up to him. We love you forever, our Prince of Darkness.

Billy Idol has talked about watching Black Sabbath live in his tribute to Ozzy Osbourne as well as sharing a photo with the rocker, taken in October 2024.

Idol wrote on Instagram: “Very sad 2 Hear about @ozzyosbourne suddenly passers -by … I’m so glad I could be part of his solo induction in @rockhall last October that I got honor his results in the light of his passing.

“I saw Black Sabbath a month before the first album came out at Worthing Town Hall in 1968, I was right in front, and his tassels touched me!

“My compassion for Sharon Jack Kelly and the whole family. My heart goes out to you.”

Ozzy Osbourne’s sisters Jean Powell and Gillian Hemming have revealed that while the rock icon was “fragile”, his death “still came as a shock.”

Powell said, “We just can’t believe he’s gone and we don’t get another phone call or text from him. Every week without failure he would come in contact, either by phone or text, to ask how we all did it and what was going on.”