BREAKING: Black Sabbath Drummer Bill Ward La…read more.
The music world is mourning a monumental loss. Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary voice of Black Sabbath and one of rock’s most enduring figures, died peacefully on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76, with family by his side.
Among those hit hardest by the news is Bill Ward, the drummer who stood behind Ozzy on stages across the globe for decades. More than a bandmate, Ozzy was family.
“I’m still trying to understand it,” Ward wrote in a heartfelt tribute. “Ozzy wasn’t just the frontman of our band — he was the soul. His energy, his voice, his presence… it all shaped who we were. This loss is deep. I feel like I’ve lost a piece of myself.”
A Last Show, A Last Goodbye
Just 17 days before his passing, Black Sabbath’s original lineup reunited one final time for a sold-out concert at Villa Park in Birmingham — the city where their story began.
The event, fittingly titled “Back to the Beginning,” brought Ozzy, Ward, guitarist Tony Iommi, and bassist Geezer Butler together to perform the songs that changed the face of heavy metal. Despite being seated for much of the show due to his health issues, Ozzy delivered a passionate performance.
He didn’t speak much between songs — just a few words that hit hard: “Thank you. I love you.”
The benefit concert raised over £140 million for causes close to Ozzy’s heart, including Parkinson’s research and local children’s charities. Now, fans and bandmates alike see it as more than just a show — it was a farewell.
A Quiet End Surrounded by Love
Ozzy’s family released a short, emotional statement on the morning of July 22:
“We are heartbroken to share that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne passed away this morning. He was surrounded by his family and passed peacefully. We ask for privacy as we grieve this enormous loss.”
Ozzy’s health had been declining in recent years. After revealing his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2020, he continued to battle a series of physical challenges, including spinal surgeries and complications from previous injuries. Yet, he never fully stepped away from music.
From Local Boys to Global Legends
Ozzy Osbourne was born in Aston, Birmingham in 1948. In 1968, he joined forces with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward to form Black Sabbath. The band’s debut album in 1970 shook the music world with its dark, heavy sound a sound that would define metal for generations.
Ozzy’s distinct, eerie vocals quickly became the band’s trademark, and albums like Paranoid and Master of Reality cemented their place in music history.
Even after being dismissed from Sabbath in 1979, Ozzy proved unstoppable. His solo career exploded with hits like “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley,” and he remained at the forefront of rock for decades.
The 2000s introduced a new side of Ozzy to the public through The Osbournes, a reality show that brought his home life and his hilarious chaos to television screens around the world.
Bill Ward Remembers More Than Just a Singer
In his emotional tribute, Bill Ward reflected on the decades of friendship, laughter, and shared struggles that defined their time together.
“We started as four young guys with nothing but passion and raw ideas,” he wrote. “Ozzy had a way of lighting up a room and tearing it down in the same breath. I’ll never forget the sound of his voice in rehearsal, the way he cracked jokes even in the darkest times. He wasn’t just a bandmate he was a part of me.”
Ward revealed that he and Ozzy had been in contact leading up to the final show in July, sharing memories and ideas, not necessarily about new music, but about life and where they’d come from.
Tributes from Around the World
As the news spread, tributes poured in. Geezer Butler wrote, “We were four kids from Aston. Look what we did. Rest easy, mate.” Tony Iommi said simply, “There will never be another Ozzy.”
Rock legends like Elton John, Metallica, Pearl Jam, and Alice Cooper also paid their respects. Zakk Wylde, Ozzy’s longtime guitarist, called him “a mentor, a brother, and a warrior.”
The outpouring of love from fans on social media has been just as moving, with people sharing stories of how Ozzy’s music helped them through hard times or inspired them to be themselves — no matter how loud, weird, or different they felt.
His Voice Will Echo Forever
A concert film titled Back to the Beginning: Ozzy’s Final Bow is set for release in early 2026, capturing that final Birmingham performance now etched in history as the closing chapter of a legendary life.
Bill Ward ended his tribute with a message that resonated far beyond the music world:
“Ozzy isn’t really gone. His voice lives in every riff, every scream, every moment someone dares to be different. I’ll carry him with me always.”
Ozzy Osbourne wasn’t just the Prince of Darkness he was a beacon for misfits, dreamers, and anyone who ever felt like they didn’t belong. Through his music, his madness, and his honesty, he changed the world.
And now, even in silence, his presence remains loud.
