BREAKING: Iron Maiden DRUMMER Nicko McBrain Pa…read more.
The heavy metal community is grappling with the heartbreaking news of Ozzy Osbourne’s passing. Known across the globe as the unmistakable voice of Black Sabbath and a trailblazer in rock music, Ozzy died at the age of 76 on July 22, 2025. In the wake of the announcement, tributes have flooded in from fellow musicians and admirers including Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain, who offered a touching message in memory of his longtime friend and musical hero.
“Ozzy wasn’t just part of the story he was the story,” McBrain shared. “He gave us a reason to be loud, to be different, and to believe in ourselves through music.”
A Giant Among Legends
Nicko McBrain, a vital piece of Iron Maiden’s success since the early 1980s, has always spoken highly of Ozzy and the impact Black Sabbath had on shaping heavy metal’s foundation. For McBrain, Ozzy represented a raw kind of energy that was impossible to fake.
“He didn’t pretend to be perfect,” McBrain said. “That’s what made him unforgettable. You knew you were getting the real deal all heart, all chaos, all soul.”
He went on to explain that the early Sabbath records helped mold his understanding of what music could be emotional, intense, and fearless. Ozzy, he said, “tore the roof off the idea of what a frontman was supposed to be.”
Witnessing the Final Chapter
Just weeks before Ozzy’s death, he reunited with the original Black Sabbath lineup for a powerful farewell concert in their hometown of Birmingham. The event, called Back to the Beginning, drew tears and thunderous applause from thousands and Nicko McBrain was in the audience.
“It was one of those nights where you could feel history being written,” McBrain recalled. “Ozzy might’ve been physically weak, but the fire in him was still there. That voice it still sent chills.”
Despite needing assistance to perform, Ozzy poured every last ounce of himself into that final show. McBrain described it as “a brave and beautiful goodbye,” adding that he left the arena that night knowing something special had ended.
A Personal Connection
While their bands rarely toured together in recent years, McBrain shared that he and Ozzy had always maintained a deep mutual respect. He remembered a quiet exchange backstage after a festival years ago.
“We were both taking a break, just talking about life,” he said. “Ozzy looked at me and said, ‘I never thought it would go this far.’ I told him, ‘That’s because you led us here.’ He laughed that wild, infectious laugh. I’ll never forget it.”
Nicko emphasized that Ozzy’s private side thoughtful, humorous, and sometimes vulnerable was as genuine as his wild stage persona.
A Voice That Spoke for Us All
For McBrain, Ozzy’s genius wasn’t just in his music, but in the emotion he channeled through it.
“He screamed for the broken, the misfits, the people who felt lost. He gave us power. He gave me power to hit the drums harder, to live louder.”
He said Ozzy taught him that true music comes from embracing imperfections from turning your pain into power.
A Legacy That Lives On
As the news of Ozzy’s death continues to ripple through the music world, Nicko left fans with a final message of gratitude and strength:
“We’ve lost a brother, a king, and a spirit unlike any other. But his music? That’s forever. Every time we crank up the volume, Ozzy’s still with us.”
He ended his tribute with a sentiment that echoed across generations of metal fans:
“Thank you, Ozzy. For everything. Rest easy, legend you changed everything.”
Though the stage lights have dimmed for Ozzy Osbourne, his roar continues to echo in every corner of the metal universe and in the hearts of those, like Nicko McBrain, who will carry his spirit forward.
