Tony Iommi says what all Ozzy Osbourne fans already knew

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During their final concert on July 5, it was apparent that Ozzy Osbourne was struggling with his health, as many fans were aware that he had been managing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease for quite some time. While everyone expected this might be another day where Ozzy fought off the illness, we held onto hope that he would somehow find a way to defy mortality.

Regrettably, Ozzy Osbourne passed away at the age of 76, just over two weeks following his concert. It could be inferred that his passing, occurring so swiftly post-performance, may have been partly due to the legendary heavy metal figure realizing he would no longer get to take the stage again.

For someone who’s dedicated more than half a century to a passion they cherished, giving up the skill is just as difficult as parting with something deeply ingrained in their identity. Equally challenging for anyone whose work shaped their life, it must feel akin to losing a treasured loved one, when music-making becomes impossible.

Tony Iommi says what many are thinking about Ozzy Osbourne

More recently, Tony Iommi, guitarist of Sabbath, expressed a similar feeling. In an interview with ITV News, he stated that despite Ozzy’s ongoing health struggles, his passing was still unexpectedly shocking. Remarkably, even on the day before he died, Ozzy had sent him a text message.

In simpler terms, Iommi expressed that the news from yesterday was hard to believe. He initially thought it couldn’t be true because he had recently received a message from him. The situation seemed almost too strange, like a dream. Iommi and Geezer (Butler) discussed this last night and they believe that he may have held off performing the show specifically, and soon after, said goodbye to the fans. That was essentially it, according to Iommi.

It’s uncertain if anyone, including Ozzy Osbourne, knows when their last performance will be if they’re terminally ill, but it’s possible. The inability to perform could undoubtedly impact one’s emotional state, potentially leading to negative consequences for someone battling a terminal disease.

It’s quite significant that Ozzy managed to put on a performance given the circumstances. The concert served as Black Sabbath’s farewell, but it was undeniably focused on Ozzy Osbourne. The other members of Black Sabbath, Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward, have the option to continue performing in their solo projects or with other bands if they choose. However, it was clear that Ozzy wouldn’t be able to do this anymore.

Even though the concert marked a farewell for Ozzy, both the enthusiastic fans and the bands who performed at the “Back to the Beginning” show will undoubtedly cherish the enduring memories of his incredible talent, not only from the day of July 5th, but also from all the moments leading up to that point.

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2025-07-25 19:00