BREAKING: Black Sabbath GUITARIST Tony Iommi C…read more.
The rock world remains shaken following the recent passing of Ozzy Osbourne, and one of the most emotional tributes has come from his longtime friend and Black Sabbath co-founder, Tony Iommi. Speaking publicly for the first time since Ozzy’s death was confirmed earlier this week, Iommi described the loss as deeply personal, saying it felt like losing a brother.
Ozzy Osbourne, known worldwide as the “Prince of Darkness,” passed away at the age of 76, just weeks after Black Sabbath performed what would become their final farewell show. The news sent shockwaves through the music community, prompting an outpouring of love and grief from fans, fellow musicians, and industry legends. But for Tony Iommi, the pain runs far deeper.
“Ozzy wasn’t just a bandmate he was family,” Iommi shared in a reflective statement posted to his official social media accounts. “We’ve known each other since we were kids in Birmingham. We shared dreams, struggles, stages, and decades of friendship. Losing him feels like I’ve lost a brother.”
The two met in the late 1960s in their hometown of Birmingham, England, and together founded Black Sabbath a band that would go on to define heavy metal and inspire generations of musicians. Through their music, they formed a creative bond that weathered personal conflicts, lineup changes, and decades of change within the music industry.
Iommi acknowledged their rocky past but emphasized that the connection between them never truly faded. “Like all brothers, we had our differences over the years,” he admitted. “But we always came back to each other. There was a bond that went beyond the music.”
Fans remember the iconic pairing of Iommi’s dark, heavy guitar riffs with Ozzy’s haunting vocals — a sonic fusion that gave rise to timeless classics like Iron Man, Paranoid, and War Pigs. Their music wasn’t just powerful; it was groundbreaking. The influence of Black Sabbath on rock and metal is immeasurable, and much of that legacy is owed to the creative magic between Iommi and Osbourne.
“It’s hard to imagine life without Ozzy,” Iommi continued. “He was unpredictable, hilarious, outrageous — and absolutely one of a kind. You never knew what he was going to say or do, but you always knew it would be unforgettable.”
The guitarist also reflected on their final moments together during Black Sabbath’s last tour. “Those shows meant everything to us. There was a sense of closure, of coming full circle. Looking back now, I’m grateful we got that time together. We said things that needed to be said.”
As fans around the world continue to process the loss, tributes have poured in from across the rock and metal community. Musicians from Metallica, Judas Priest, Guns N’ Roses, and even younger acts like Ghost and Slipknot have honored Osbourne’s legacy.
Bill Ward, Black Sabbath’s original drummer, also expressed his heartbreak in a separate statement. “Ozzy’s voice was the soul of Sabbath,” Ward wrote. “We were a brotherhood. And now, part of that soul is gone.”
Geezer Butler, bassist and fellow founding member, shared similar sentiments. “Ozzy was my friend for over 50 years. He made us laugh, he made us crazy, and he made history. I’ll miss him forever.”
In addition to his work with Black Sabbath, Ozzy’s solo career cemented him as one of the most enduring and charismatic figures in rock history. Albums like Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman introduced a new generation to his talent, while his reality TV show The Osbournes revealed the chaotic, lovable family man behind the legend.
Tony Iommi concluded his tribute by thanking fans for their support. “The messages and love you’ve all shared have helped me more than I can say. We’ve lost a giant, but we’ll keep his music and his spirit alive forever.”
A public memorial for Ozzy Osbourne is expected to be held in Birmingham in the coming weeks. Fans have already begun gathering at local landmarks, including Aston’s school where Ozzy and Iommi first met, leaving flowers, candles, and handwritten notes.
As one fan wrote on a poster outside the Birmingham Town Hall: “The end is the beginning. Thank you, Ozzy, for everything. Rest in power.”
Though the world has lost a legend, Tony Iommi and millions of others carry Ozzy’s legacy forward not just in riffs and records, but in memories, brotherhood, and the eternal echoes of heavy metal.
