Black Sabbath’s Iommi, Butler and Ward Honor Ozzy Osbourne on First Anniversary of His Death

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward shared personal tributes to Ozzy Osbourne on July 22, marking one year since the singer’s death. Osbourne died on July 22, 2025, at age 76 at his family home near Chalfont St. Giles in Buckinghamshire, England, just over two weeks after Black Sabbath’s farewell concert in their hometown of Birmingham.

• Ozzy Osbourne died on July 22, 2025, at age 76.
• His death came 17 days after Black Sabbath’s “Back To The Beginning” farewell show on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham.
• Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward each posted individual tributes on July 22, 2026, the first anniversary of his passing.
• Birmingham held its first-ever “Ozzy Day” on July 22, 2026, with live music and public art across the city center.
• Ozzy’s death certificate listed a heart attack as the cause of death, with coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease as contributing factors.

What Did Tony Iommi Say About Ozzy Osbourne?

Tony Iommi posted a message on social media reflecting on the year since losing his bandmate and close friend. “It’s now a year since Ozzy’s passing and I still can’t believe that he’s not with us,” Iommi wrote. “I watch him on YouTube and it feels like he’s still here with us.”

Iommi said he and Osbourne stayed in close contact until the end. “We always stayed in touch, almost every week or so and we’d usually talk about our ailments and then about what we’d been doing that particular week,” he wrote. He also thanked fans for their continued support: “The fans have been absolutely brilliant, and the love and respect that they have shown for him has just been amazing.”

Iommi closed his tribute by expressing gratitude that the original Black Sabbath lineup got to perform together one last time. “I’m so glad that we were able to play one final show with the original line up of Sabbath at the Back To The Beginning show in our home town of Birmingham! There will never be another Ozzy. I miss you my dear friend,” he wrote.

Geezer Butler and Bill Ward Share Their Own Tributes

Geezer Butler, who played bass in Osbourne’s solo band during the late 1980s and mid-1990s in addition to his role in Black Sabbath, posted his own remembrance on Instagram. “One year ago today- hard to believe,” the 77-year-old bassist wrote. “I am so glad we were able to do the final show, back in our hometown, just a couple of weeks before Ozzy left us. Gone in body, but his legend lives on. Such incredible memories. Ozzy forever!”

Bill Ward posted a shorter but equally personal message. “Every day, there is a persistent silence,” Ward wrote. “We miss you so much. Respectfully, with love to the Osbourne family. Bill and Jackie Ward family.” Ward did not take part in Black Sabbath’s 2017 farewell tour, making his reunion with the band for the “Back To The Beginning” show the first time all four founding members had played together in 20 years.

Sharon Osbourne and Birmingham’s First “Ozzy Day”

Ozzy’s widow Sharon Osbourne spoke to the BBC on the anniversary, encouraging fans to celebrate her husband’s legacy through his music. “As Ozzy would say: when you want to remember me, just yank up the music really loud, as loud as you can get it, and just head bang,” she said. Sharon also described Ozzy as fundamentally authentic, saying he “never tried to be anything other than what he was” and was “so genuine and funny.”

Birmingham City Council marked the anniversary by launching the first annual “Ozzy Day” across the city center on July 22, featuring live music, public art and special performances celebrating Osbourne’s Birmingham roots. Attendees could visit sites tied to Osbourne’s life, including the Black Sabbath Bench and Bridge, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham New Street Station, Bullring, Selfridges and Martineau Place. Bostin Brass, the five-piece band that performed at Osbourne’s funeral procession, held pop-up performances, while the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra performed at Bullring and “Ozzy The Bull,” a mechanical bull from the 2022 Commonwealth Games named after the singer, was decorated for the occasion.

A limited-edition shirt sold only during “Ozzy Day” featured an image of Osbourne performing at “Back To The Beginning,” with the back listing all 52 shows — solo and with Black Sabbath — that he played in Birmingham. Councillor Deborah Harries, the city’s cabinet member for culture, said Osbourne “is one of Birmingham’s foremost cultural figures” and that the city continues “to honor his legacy here in the city, where his journey began.” Black Sabbath was awarded Freedom of the City of Birmingham on June 30, 2025.

Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Performance and Funeral

Osbourne’s final performance came on July 5, 2025, when he reunited with Iommi, Butler and Ward for “Back To The Beginning” at Villa Park in Birmingham, a show that also featured Metallica, Slayer, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Mastodon and Anthrax. Osbourne played a five-song solo set backed by guitarist Zakk Wylde, bassist Mike Inez, keyboardist Adam Wakeman and drummer Tommy Clufetos, performing “I Don’t Know,” “Mr. Crowley,” “Suicide Solution” and “Crazy Train” from his 1980 debut album “Blizzard Of Ozz,” along with the “No More Tears” ballad “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” He then sang while seated on a black throne as Iommi, Butler and Ward joined him for four Black Sabbath classics: “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” “N.I.B.” and “Paranoid.”

Osbourne appeared visibly emotional during the performance, telling the crowd, “You have no idea how I feel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” A private funeral service was held on July 31, 2025, on the 250-acre grounds of the Buckinghamshire home Osbourne and Sharon purchased in 1993, attended by 110 friends and family members including his Black Sabbath bandmates, Robert Trujillo of Metallica, Rob Zombie, Zakk Wylde, Marilyn Manson and Corey Taylor of Slipknot. The day before the funeral, thousands of fans gathered in the streets of Birmingham to pay tribute, joined by Sharon and the couple’s children Aimée, Kelly and Jack.

Back To The Beginning Setlist (Ozzy Osbourne with Black Sabbath)

1. “I Don’t Know”
2. “Mr. Crowley”
3. “Suicide Solution”
4. “Crazy Train”
5. “Mama, I’m Coming Home”
6. “War Pigs”
7. “N.I.B.”
8. “Iron Man”
9. “Paranoid”

FAQ

How did Ozzy Osbourne die?

Ozzy Osbourne’s death certificate listed a heart attack as the cause of death, with coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease noted as contributing conditions.

When was Ozzy Osbourne’s last concert?

Osbourne’s final performance was on July 5, 2025, at the “Back To The Beginning” charity concert at Villa Park in Birmingham, where he reunited with the original Black Sabbath lineup.

What is “Ozzy Day”?

“Ozzy Day” is an annual celebration launched by Birmingham City Council on July 22, 2026, the first anniversary of Osbourne’s death, featuring live music, public art and performances across the city center to honor his legacy.

Sources

1. Louder / Classic Rock
2. Blabbermouth
3. Loudwire
4. Guitar World
5. Blabbermouth