BREAKING: Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain C…read more.
The world of heavy metal is in mourning following the passing of one of its greatest pioneers, Ozzy Osbourne, who died at age 76 on July 22, 2025. Fans, fellow musicians, and admirers around the globe are paying tribute and among them is Iron Maiden’s drummer Nicko McBrain, who shared a powerful and emotional statement honoring the late Black Sabbath frontman.
“Ozzy wasn’t just a voice he was a force of nature,” McBrain said. “He broke barriers and built bridges. To say he’ll be missed doesn’t even scratch the surface.”
A Legacy That Shaped Generations
Having played a crucial role in Iron Maiden’s rise to fame since the early ‘80s, McBrain has long credited Osbourne and Black Sabbath as trailblazers who laid the foundation for metal as we know it today.
“Ozzy inspired us all to be fearless,” Nicko noted. “He made it okay to be raw, strange, loud — and most of all, real. He didn’t follow the rules. He made his own.”
McBrain reflected on how Sabbath’s music helped him find his own sound behind the drum kit. Albums like Paranoid and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath pushed musical boundaries — and showed young musicians like him that there was a future in heavy, rebellious, and emotional music.
A Farewell Performance Etched in History
Just weeks ago, fans witnessed Ozzy’s final live performance during the Back to the Beginning show in Birmingham. The event was billed as a reunion and farewell for the original Black Sabbath members.
Nicko McBrain attended that night and recalled the powerful atmosphere in the arena. Despite his frailty, Ozzy gave a deeply moving performance that resonated with every person in the room.
“There was something magical about it. You could feel the weight of history in the air,” McBrain said. “He gave it everything — his body might’ve been tired, but his spirit? Untouchable.”
That final bow, now viewed as the closing chapter in a monumental career, raised funds for causes close to Ozzy’s heart, including Parkinson’s research.
Moments That Mattered
While Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath operated as separate titans in the metal universe, their paths often crossed. Nicko recalled one personal moment with Ozzy that he’ll never forget.
“It wasn’t even at a gig,” he explained. “It was backstage at a festival years ago. We had a quiet chat over tea not beers, tea and he looked at me and said, ‘Can you believe all this started with just noise?’ That stuck with me. That humility, even after everything he’d achieved.”
McBrain said those moments showed the kind, reflective side of Ozzy that people often didn’t get to see beneath the wild persona.
Beyond the Screams
Ozzy Osbourne’s impact wasn’t just musical. According to Nicko, he taught fans and musicians alike how to be brave with their feelings.
“He wore his heart on stage,” McBrain said. “Whether he was laughing, crying, or howling — it was always real. He gave people like me permission to be myself. That’s the greatest gift you can give someone.”
A Message to the Fans
Nicko concluded his tribute by addressing the millions of fans grieving Ozzy’s passing:
“This loss is massive, and I know we’re all feeling it. But let’s remember what he gave us — a reason to scream, to fight, to live loud. We’ll carry that forever.”
He added that the echo of Ozzy’s voice and legacy will live on in every drumbeat, guitar riff, and stadium chant around the world.
“Rest well, brother. You made history and then you became it.”
Though the Prince of Darkness has left the stage, his influence remains carved into the soul of rock and metal and in the hearts of those, like Nicko McBrain, who knew just how deeply he mattered.
