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Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi on Ozzy’s Death: “Geezer, Bill and Myself Have Lost Our Brother”
Black Sabbath guitarist legend Tony Iommi has talked about his profound sadness at the passing of his longtime friend and lead singer Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76 . In an emotional tribute on X (ex-Twitter), Iommi said:
“I just can’t believe it,”
“Within weeks of our Villa Park gig, my dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away. Terrible news, which I’m unable to put into words, there’ll never be anyone like him. Geezer, Bill and myself have lost a brother. My sympathies go to Sharon and the entire Osbourne family. Rest in peace Oz. Tony.”
Ozzy’s death came just 17 days after the band reunited for their final performance at the “Back to the Beginning” concert at Villa Park in Birmingham on July 5, 2025 . The emotionally charged evening marked the first time the classic Sabbath lineup performed together in two decades and was both a celebration and a farewell.
A Farewell Fit for Legends
The performance was not a ruse—it was an encapsulation of Ozzy’s battle with health. Despite severe Parkinson’s disease and previous spinal surgeries, he sang sitting on a custom-built throne. His powerful voice boomed through classic Sabbath anthems, accompanied by founding members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward .
Proceeds from the event—organized by surprise performances by Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, and Pantera—went to Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice .
Bandmates Grieve the Pain
Geezer Butler and Bill Ward joined in on social media, echoing Iommi’s grief:
“Goodbye dear friend – thanks for all those years – we had some great fun. 4 kids from Aston … Love you.” 
“Where am I now? In the memories… you’re forever in my heart. Deepest condolences to Sharon and all family members. RIP … Never goodbye.”
Together, their tweets reinforce the sense of irrecoverable loss: three brothers, united by Kanye’s legacy and broken by his passing.
Legacy of Brotherhood Through Turbulence
Osbourne’s marriage to Sabbath was always turbulent—his 1979 firing for drug abuse instigated courtroom battles  . Nonetheless, the original quartet reaffirmed their fraternal bond in later years, resulting in the tearful 2025 reunion. Iommi admitted that he’d hesitated to stage a final show, sensitively aware of the health problems faced by members, especially Ozzy—but the cause and camaraderie prevailed .
A Bittersweet Last Curtain Call
The death of Ozzy just after the concert has given a tragic turn to the last performance. As Iommi so succinctly said, “there won’t ever be another like him,” and the same stands true for Geezer and Bill’s shared grief. Their friendship that they forged in Birmingham all those decades ago comes to an end not in quarrel but in mourning.
And so, with the world again looking back on the man who helped make heavy metal, Black Sabbath’s heart—Tony, Geezer, and Bill—is reunited at last, having lost more than a bandmate. They’ve lost a brother.
