Live Reporting
Edited by Jack Burgess, Matt Spivey and Brandon Livesay
'Four kids from Aston - who’d have thought, eh?' - Black Sabbath's Geezer Butlerpublished at 21:57 British Summer Time
Image source, Getty ImagesIn our previous post we brought you a tribute to Ozzy from Black Sabbath's co-founder Tony Iommi, now we're hearing from the band's bassist.
Terence “Geezer” Butler says he is “so glad” he was able to perform a final time with bandmate Ozzy Osbourne - referring to the band's reunion on July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham.
In a social media post, Butler writes: “Goodbye dear friend – thanks for all those years- we had some great fun. Four kids from Aston- who’d have thought, eh?
“So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.”
Black Sabbath 'have lost a brother', says band's co-founder Iommipublished at 21:48 British Summer Time
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Image caption,
Image source, Getty ImagesGeezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Ozzy Osbourne pose for photo in 1970
Black Sabbath co-founder Tony Iommi says "I just can’t believe it! My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park".
He adds that Ozzy's death is "such heart-breaking news that I can’t really find the words... Geezer (Butler), Bill (Ward) and myself have lost our brother.
"My thoughts go out to Sharon and all the Osbourne family. Rest in peace Oz. Tony.”
Quote Message
There won’t ever be another like him."
Tony Iommi
Wolverhampton pub-goers raised a glass to Ozzy during minute's silencepublished at 21:40 British Summer Time
Donna Ford and Sue Peters were in The Old Still pub in Wolverhampton when they heard the news of Ozzy Osbourne's death.
They said the pub stopped the karaoke, played the Black Sabbath song Changes and held a minute's silence, with everybody raising a glass.
They've just bought some flowers and brought them down to the pub.
'His legacy will live on' - MTVpublished at 21:34 British Summer Time
MTV, where reality TV show The Osbournes aired, has sent condolences to Ozzy's "family, loved ones and many dedicated fans".
"We know his legacy will live on through music-lovers around the world," the post on Instagram reads.
Where the nickname 'Prince of Darkness' came frompublished at 21:26 British Summer Time
Image source, Getty ImagesOsbourne has had many aliases over the years, but one that has been the most longstanding is the "Prince of Darkness".
It is another name for the devil used in works like "Paradise Lost" but the nickname was started by fans after the release of some of his "scarier" songs.
In an interview with NME in 2016, Osbourne said the song "Black Sabbath" originally freaked out some concert attendees.
"They thought we were Satan’s [expletive] friends or something," Osbourne said. "That’s when the whole Prince of Darkness [expletive] started."
'World will miss Ozzy’s unique presence' - Queen's Brian Maypublished at 21:18 British Summer Time
Image caption,
Image source, Getty ImagesBrian May presenting Ozzy with the induction award for Black Sabbath on stage at the live final of the UK Music Hall Of Fame in 2005
Queen guitarist Sir Brian May has paid tribute to Osbourne, posting on social media about the singer's last performance.
“So sad to hear of Ozzy's passing. His last appearance at Villa Park was a glorious way to say goodbye – the love in that place for him was gigantic."
May said he was "grateful" that he was able to have "a few quiet words" with Osbourne after the show, and happy to know he passed peacefully with his loving family close by.
“But the world will miss Ozzy’s unique presence and fearless talent. My heartfelt consolations to Sharon and their great family.
“And to Bill (Ward) and Geezer (Butler) and my dear friend Tony (Iommi) – for this is family – I know only too well. REST IN PEACE dear Ozzie. Bri.”
Ozzy, and Black Sabbath, stood the test of timepublished at 21:14 British Summer Time
Helen Bushby
Culture reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesOzzy Osbourne was inducted as a solo artist into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame just last year, having been given the same honour in 2006 as part of Black Sabbath.
His place in the metal scene was secured many years ago, after the band's early success, and Ben Reidy wrote about their importance in Headbangers Haven, external.
"Metal music has become like a tree, with multiple branches representing the different areas and sounds that the genre can supply. Yet it all originated with these four men from Birmingham," he said."
"There are very few cases where one band has been responsible for pioneering an entire genre by themselves. You would have thought that with time, fresher and newer Metal acts would take over and become more popular, but despite Sabbath’s retirement, the band remains as one of the most popular Metal bands to this day."
He said their influence, stemming mostly from their first five albums, has "stood the test of time".
"Ozzy Osbourne’s vocal style and skill was an integral part to what made Black Sabbath so successful," he added.
Fans in Birmingham lay flowers for Ozzy Osbournepublished at 21:08 British Summer Time
In Birmingham, where Ozzy Osbourne was born and Black Sabbath formed, people have been placing flowers on a bench in his memory.
As we mentioned earlier, he played Black Sabbath's farewell gig in the city on 5 July.
The man credited with inventing heavy metalpublished at 21:02 British Summer Time
Mark Savage
Music correspondent
Image caption,
Image source, Getty ImagesOzzy Osbourne said at his final gig: "You have no idea how I feel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart"
As frontman of Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne is credited with inventing heavy metal, thanks to songs like Iron Man and Paranoid.
Less than three weeks ago, the self-styled "Prince of Darkness" performed a farewell concert in his hometown, supported by many of the musicians he had inspired, including Metallica and Guns ‘n’ Roses.
Born John Michael Osbourne, he dropped out of school aged 15, holding several low-paid jobs and spending a short spell in prison for burglary before embarking on his musical career.
After singing with several local bands, he joined Black Sabbath alongside guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward in the late 1960s.
They developed a unique sound, inspired by the blues but slower, louder and more sinister - with frequent references to the occult.
- You can read on in my news story
'Thank you for entertaining us' - tributes to the Prince of Darknesspublished at 20:56 British Summer Time
Image source, ReutersTributes to Ozzy Osbourne are continuing to come in from around the world.
David Beckham said he was "so sad to see Ozzy leave us. Thank you for entertaining us. Sending love to Sharon, the kids & the family".
Rod Stewart said: "Bye, bye Ozzy. Sleep well, my friend. I'll see you up there - later rather than sooner".
UK Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, MP in Osbourne’s home city of Birmingham, said Osbourne was "one of the greatest gifts my city gave the world. My thoughts are with his family. In Ozzy’s own words: Birmingham forever".
Journalist and media personality Piers Morgan described Osbourne as "one of the greatest rock stars in history and a wonderful character. Truly one of the funniest people I’ve ever known".
Boxer Frank Bruno said Osbourne was "a character, a funny man and a legend who we will not see the likes of ever again".
He bowed out with a bang at farewell gigpublished at 20:47 British Summer Time
Ian Youngs
Entertainment and Arts reporter
Image source, Ross HalfinIt's hard to believe it was only just over two weeks ago that Ozzy was on stage for his final concert - his and Black Sabbath's farewell show - in front of 40,000 devoted fans at Aston Villa football stadium in Birmingham.
He'd had a series of long-running health problems and no-one quite knew what physical state he would be in, and indeed how well he was still capable of singing.
When he appeared, he rose from below the stage on a giant black throne and remained seated throughout - he was obviously a bit frail, but he appeared better than I feared, and his voice still had more force than I expected.
He sang nine tracks in total, five from his solo career and four with his reuinted Black Sabbath bandmates.
And he was clearly loving being back in the spotlight - clapping, waving his arms and pulling wild-eyed looks, just like old times.
His performance came after an all-day line-up of fellow rock legends had paid homage to his and Sabbath's influence.
"Without Sabbath there would be no Metallica," the US band's James Hetfield told the crowd. Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose ended their set with the cry: "Birmingham! Ozzy! Sabbath! Thank you!"
It was a joyful day - and fortunate in hindsight that he was able to go out on such a high.
Former Black Sabbath drummer pays tributepublished at 20:45 British Summer Time
Image source, Instagram/BradWilkRage Against the Machine drummer Brad Wilk, who also played the drums on Black Sabbath's 2013 album '13', has posted this photo of a young Ozzy Osbourne on Instagram.
The photo was accompanied by a black heart and sad face emoji.
Black Sabbath star died in the UKpublished at 20:38 British Summer Time
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Helen Bushby
Culture reporterOzzy Osbourne's music publicist confirmed to the BBC's Mark Savage that the star died in his home country - the UK - having lived in the US since the early 2000s.
The family still had a base in Britain, where he was of course born in 1948.
'You took us on your adventure - an adventure that started it all'published at 20:35 British Summer Time
Image caption,
Image source, yungblud/InstagramYungblud has shared a picture on Instagram with him alongside Ozzy Osbourne
Singer Yungblud, who performed a cover of Changes at Ozzy's farewell concert with Black Sabbath in Birmingham weeks ago, is the latest to pay tribute.
In a post on Instagram he writes:
Quote Message
I didn't think you would leave so soon."
Yungblud
He continues by saying "the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room".
"But as it is written with legends, they seem to know the things that we don't," Yungblud adds.
"You asked me once if there was anything you could do for me and as I said then and as I will say now for all of us the music was enough."
'A dear friend and a huge trailblazer' - Elton Johnpublished at 20:15 British Summer Time
Image caption,
Image source, ReutersOsbourne with Elton John
Elton John says he was "so sad to hear the news" of Osbourne's death.
"He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods - a true legend," he wrote in an Instagram post.
"He was also one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love."
'Ozzy Forever' - Black Sabbath pays tributepublished at 20:11 British Summer Time
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Image source, blacksabbath/InstagramOzzy's band Black Sabbath has just posted a photograph of Osbourne, external from his farewell gig on 5 July.
The caption reads "Ozzy Forever."
The Osbournes laid bare their family life on TVpublished at 20:04 British Summer Time
Helen Bushby
Culture reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesAlthough he was known as the wild frontman of Black Sabbath, many fans also got to know him through MTV reality TV show The Osbournes, which ran from 2002 to 2005.
The Birmingham-born star had relocated from the UK to the US and the fly-on-the wall showed his family life with his wife, Sharon, alongside their children, Jack and Kelly.
It included a lot of colourful language, laughing and small dogs, and it became a cult hit, and won a Primetime Emmy.
It simply showed the family eating, pottering around their house and being themselves - and audiences loved them for it. It also showed just how popular reality TV could be.
In pictures: 50 years of rocking outpublished at 20:02 British Summer Time
Ozzy Osbourne is renowned for energetic lives shows. here are some striking pictures of the heavy metal frontman in action over the decades.
Image caption,
Image source, Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns/Getty ImagesThe full Black Sabbath line up performing in Amsterdam in 1971
Image caption,
Image source, Michael Putland/Getty ImagesThe band's live shows were rarely boring, with high-energy Osbourne known for entertaining crowds with his antics
Image caption,
Image source, Mick Hutson/Redferns/Getty ImagesOsbourne was known for his trademark long hair, eyeliner and intense facial expressions - like this classic 1997 example
Image caption,
Image source, Ireland/Classic Rock Magazine/Future via Getty ImagesHe once again fronted the band to headline Download music festival in 2012
Image caption,
Image source, Getty ImagesOzzy kept audiences entertained in the weeks before his death, at a Black Sabbath reunion on 5 July in Birmingham
'What a lovely goodbye concert he had', Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood sayspublished at 19:53 British Summer Time
Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood says he is "so very sad to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne".
"What a lovely goodbye concert he had at Back to the Beginning in Birmingham."
As we've reported, Osbourne performed his final gig in his hometown on 5 July.
Tributes to Ozzy Osbourne are coming in thick and fast, stay with us for the latest.
One of rock n' roll's greatspublished at 19:53 British Summer Time
Image caption,
Image source, Getty ImagesOsbourne performs in with Black Sabbath in August 1978
Alongside his musical output, Ozzy Osbourne was famed as one of rock's wildest frontmen.
In a crowded field, he stood out for his extravagant stage persona and willingness to push the envelope - particularly where it concerned wild stunts and the consumption of drugs and alcohol.
At a 1982 concert he infamously bit the head off a bat, something he claimed he did as he thought it was a toy and which he had to receive a rabies shot for.
Despite his wild ways, he managed to outlive many of his 1970s rock contemporaries - enjoying a number of career revivals. He was sober from 2006 onwards.
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