What Did David Lee Roth Say On Stage That Had Every Ozzy Fan Cheering?

David Lee Roth’s opening night of his U.S. tour was always going to be an event, but no one expected it to turn into a heartfelt—and slightly outrageous—salute to his longtime friend and rock rival, Ozzy Osbourne. Under the California sky in Paso Robles, the crowd buzzed with anticipation. Roth, the ever-irreverent showman, didn’t disappoint.

From the first moments on stage, Roth’s energy was impossible to ignore. He strutted, leapt, and cracked jokes, mixing his signature swagger with a genuine sense of gratitude for still being able to do what he loves. But everyone could sense there was something more on his mind that night.

As the first few songs thundered through the amphitheater, Roth paused and looked out at the sea of fans, his face both wild and warm. The news of Ozzy’s passing had shaken the music world just days before, and for Roth, the loss was personal. The two icons, though different in style and substance, shared a history that spanned decades of touring, partying, and sometimes even competing for the loudest, wildest life.

Before launching into “Atomic Punk,” Roth raised his glass and shouted, “Ozzy Osbourne, save me a seat, and when I get to hell, we’ll have a drink, brother.” The crowd erupted, caught between laughter and tears. It was classic Diamond Dave—irreverent, honest, and just the right amount of sentimental.

That one-liner wasn’t just a throwaway joke; it summed up the entire legacy of rock and roll friendship. Roth and Osbourne both lived lives that defied logic and longevity. Between them, they amassed enough wild stories to fuel a dozen rock documentaries. Drinking, carousing, and occasionally getting themselves banned from hotel chains were just part of the job.

As Roth told stories from the road, the audience felt like they were eavesdropping on rock’s greatest afterparty. He talked about the first time he met Ozzy—“He was already a legend, and I was just a kid from Pasadena trying to act like I belonged”—and how their bands sometimes crossed paths in the wildest corners of the world.

Roth didn’t shy away from poking fun at both himself and Ozzy. “We survived a lot of things they said would kill us—alcohol, motorcycles, and, apparently, disco,” he quipped, drawing roars of approval. Behind the jokes, though, was real respect. “Ozzy’s the only guy who could make biting the head off a bat seem like a career move.”

Midway through the show, Roth dedicated “Jump” to Ozzy, inviting the whole audience to celebrate the weird, wonderful world of rock and roll. “Nobody gets out of here alive,” he said, “but you might as well dance on the tables while you’re here.”

Throughout the night, Roth spun yarns about wild tours, backstage pranks, and the kind of friendships that can only form under the glare of stadium lights and the pressure of endless travel. “Ozzy and I didn’t always see eye to eye, but we always saw eye to eyeliner,” he laughed.

He made sure to pay tribute to Ozzy’s impact—not just on music, but on the spirit of everyone who ever felt like an outsider. “Ozzy taught us that you can be weird, loud, and totally yourself, and the world will love you for it. Or at least fear you a little,” Roth grinned.

Fans in the audience raised their drinks, sang along, and told their own Ozzy stories. The amphitheater buzzed with that rare feeling you get when everyone, from the front row to the lawn, feels like they’re part of one big, unruly family.

As the show closed, Roth left everyone with one last nod to his late friend. “See you on the other side, Ozzy,” he said. “Save me a cold one, because you know it’s going to be a hell of a party.”

The concert wasn’t just another tour stop. It became a living tribute, a celebration of chaos and camaraderie. Roth proved that in rock and roll, you honor your friends not by mourning, but by turning up the volume, telling great stories, and laughing in the face of the end.

In the days after, clips of Roth’s tribute went viral. Fans, fellow musicians, and even Ozzy’s family shared the video, grateful for a moment that captured both the madness and the meaning of a life spent in music.

David Lee Roth’s words and his wild, loving tribute are already legend—a reminder that rock’s greatest gift is the way it brings us together, even as we say goodbye.