Music legends, celebrities pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne

Black Sabbath, Elton John and Metallica are among the music giants paying homage to Prince of Darkness Ozzy Osbourne.

Ozzy Osbourne has been remembered a “trailblazer” and “dear friend” by some of the biggest names in music.

Members of Black Sabbath, who famously sacked Osbourne in 1979, put their feud in the past to pay tribute to the Prince of Darkness.

“Ozzy Forever” read the simple but poignant message along with a photo of Osbourne who reunited with them one last time for the Back to the Beginning charity concert just weeks before his death on July 5.

Elton John post a heartfelt message on his Instagram as the news of Osbourne’s death broke.

“He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods – a true legend,” Elton said.

“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.”

Fellow Brits Duran Duran posted a tongue-in-cheek tribute to the wisecracking rocker.

“What can you say about Ozzy? Whatever it is, it’s in a Brummie accent,” the band wrote.

“Hard to imagine a world without him, Ozzy brought so much joy, humour and raw power to the world, in a life of many chapters.

“Ozzy was a cat who had way more than nine lives. Thanks for the ride Ozzy, love from the other Brummies.”

Billy Idol recalled the thrill of watching Osbourne perform in the early days.

“I saw Black Sabbath one month before the first album came out at Worthing town hall in 1968 I was right at the front & his tassels were touching me!” Idol wrote on Instagram.

“Ozzy embodied the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll, and he performed right to the end.”

Metallica was lost for words at the devastating news, simply posting a broken heart emoji with a throwback photo of the band embracing Osbourne.

💔 pic.twitter.com/ojOksUPkKi

— Metallica (@Metallica) July 22, 2025

UB40 put into words what so many fans were feeling.

“The Prince of Darkness. A true Birmingham legend. The undisputed king of heavy metal,” the tribute read.

“You didn’t just shape a culture, you defined it. You led from the front and never looked back.”

Rage Against the Machine guitarist simply wrote: “God bless you Ozzy” along with a happy snap of him with Osbourne.

Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready’s condolences were an absolute tear-jerker.

“When I was in high school I discovered Sabbath. War Pigs was terrifying and mesmerising at the same time,” he wrote.

“It was Ozzy’s voice that took me away to a dark universe. A great escape.

“Thanks for the music, Ozzy it makes our journey in life better.”

English singer-songwriter Yungblud, who earlier this month performed the famous Black Sabbath ballad ‘Changes’, at Osbourne’s farewell concert, said he was “truly heartbroken” from the loss of the “greatest of all time”.

“I didn’t think you would leave so soon the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room,” he said.

“But as it is written with legends, they seem to know the things that we don’t.”

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, fondly remembered Osbourne’s final performance at his Back To The Beginning concert in Birmingham earlier this month.

“I am so very sad to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne. What a lovely goodbye concert he had,” the rocker said.

I am 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🙏☀️❤️🎤 pic.twitter.com/Z6V2CNXWNG

— Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) July 22, 2025

American rock band Green Day’s frontman Billie Joe Armstrong paid tribute to the legend with a photo simply followed by “No words. We love you Ozzy”. While thrash metal band Anthrax shared a post remembering Osbourne, and their final performance celebrating Black Sabbath “just two weeks ago”.

RIP @OzzyOsbourne - Like so many today’s news hit us with shock and sadness. Just two weeks ago, we were united celebrating the legend of Black Sabbath. Ozzy, thank you for everything. Simply put, none of us would be us without you.

Our thoughts are with the Osbourne family 🖤 pic.twitter.com/cUGkdiM1DS

— Anthrax (@Anthrax) July 22, 2025

“Like so many today’s news hit us with shock and sadness,” the band posted to social media.

“Simply put, none of us would be us without you. Our thoughts are with the Osbourne family.”

The rock legends boyhood football club, premier league side Aston Villa, also paid tribute over social media.

Osbourne, who would regularly don the team’s claret and blue jersey, grew up in Birmingham and “always held a special connection to the club and community he came from.

“The thoughts of everyone at Aston Villa are with his wife Sharon, his family, friends, and countless fans at this difficult time,” the club said.

Aston Villa Football Club is saddened to learn that world-renowned rockstar and Villan, Ozzy Osbourne has passed away.

Growing up in Aston, not far from Villa Park, Ozzy always held a special connection to the club and the community he came from.

The thoughts of everyone at… pic.twitter.com/lcyBomOdxq

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) July 22, 2025

The rock legend performed his last show at the club’s home ground, Villa Park, earlier this month.