BREAKING: Black Sabbath Drummer Bill Ward S…read more.
Black Sabbath’s founding drummer Bill Ward has revealed that Ozzy Osbourne held on in his final days so he could step on stage one last time with the band. The legendary frontman died earlier this week at the age of 76, following a long battle with various health complications. But according to Ward, Ozzy was determined to say goodbye doing what he loved most performing with his bandmates.
“He was struggling, no question,” Ward said in an emotional tribute. “But he wasn’t going to miss that last chance. He pushed himself through the pain to play with us one more time. That meant everything to him.”
One Last Sabbath Show
The performance took place quietly in Birmingham, the city where Black Sabbath was born. Initially planned as a simple gathering of the original lineup, it quickly turned into an unplanned farewell. Despite his worsening health, Ozzy insisted on singing three of the band’s most iconic songs: “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid.”
“You could see he was exhausted,” Ward recalled. “But as soon as the music started, he lit up. It was like he found strength in the moment. That was Ozzy—he lived for the stage.”
Those in attendance described the evening as surreal and deeply moving. Many didn’t realize it would be the last time they’d see the legendary frontman perform live.
“There was something sacred about that show,” one fan said. “It was more than music it was a final message from Ozzy to all of us.”
More Than Bandmates
Bill Ward and Ozzy Osbourne go back over five decades, forming Black Sabbath in the late 1960s alongside Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler. Although the band went through internal conflicts and lineup changes over the years, Ward says the connection between the four original members remained deep and unbreakable.
“Ozzy and I had our share of tough times, but nothing ever erased the bond we had,” Ward said. “We started this thing together. That final night, everything else faded. We were just four mates playing our hearts out one more time.”
Ward recalled how weak Ozzy was leading up to the performance, needing assistance just to prepare for the show. But once on stage, the singer’s energy returned even if only briefly.
“He gave everything he had. You could tell this was his goodbye,” Ward said. “And what a way to say it.”
A Promise Fulfilled
Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s wife, shared that the final show was something he had been holding onto for months. “He told me, ‘I want my last memory to be on stage, not in a hospital,’” she said. “And that’s what he gave himself. That’s what he gave all of us.”
Despite doctors warning him of the risks involved, Ozzy was determined. Ward said, “That was just who he was. Stubborn, fearless, and totally devoted to his music and fans.”
Footage from the performance is expected to be released in the coming weeks as part of a tribute project, with proceeds going to Parkinson’s research and causes close to the Osbourne family.
A Lasting Legacy
Since the news of Ozzy’s passing, fans and artists around the world have paid tribute to the singer’s lasting impact. His unmistakable voice, wild spirit, and stage presence helped define an entire genre of music.
For Bill Ward, the memory of that final show is bittersweet. “It broke my heart, but it also gave me peace,” he said. “He left this world the way he wanted surrounded by his brothers and doing what he loved most.”
Though Ozzy is gone, his legacy as a pioneer of heavy metal and a beloved performer remains stronger than ever. As Ward put it, “The music lives on, and so does Ozzy. He gave us everything, right to the very end.”
