Tony Iommi on Losing Ozzy Osbourne: “It Was A Shock; It Just Seemed Unreal, Surreal”

Tony Iommi, the legendary guitarist of Black Sabbath, was visibly shaken as he recalled the moment he learned of Ozzy Osbourne’s passing during his ITV News interview. “It was a shock for us… It just seemed unreal, surreal,” he said, sharing the profound grief of losing not just a bandmate but a lifelong friend. The bond between them went far beyond music; it was the kind of brotherhood forged by decades of shared experiences, both on and off the stage.

Tony mentioned that he had received a text from Ozzy just the day before he died. That simple detail made the loss feel even more unreal. One day, they were still communicating, and the next, Ozzy was gone. Iommi described how this made the moment all the more painful, a harsh reminder of how sudden and final loss can be.

Among the members of Black Sabbath, there was a strong sense that Ozzy had held on just long enough to perform at the farewell concert. Iommi reflected, “We think he held out to do it… and just after that… he’s done it and said goodbye to the fans.” For them, it was clear that Ozzy wanted closure, both for himself and for those who had supported him through everything.

On July 5, 2025, Black Sabbath reunited in their original lineup for the first time in twenty years. The event, called Back to the Beginning, took place at Villa Park in Birmingham, drawing tens of thousands in person and millions more via global livestream. It wasn’t just a concert; it was a historic moment, filled with nostalgia and emotion, marking the end of an era.

Ozzy’s determination was evident that night. Despite the limitations imposed by his advancing Parkinson’s disease, he performed seated on a throne, yet gave everything he had. His voice, though aged, still carried the same grit and emotion that defined Black Sabbath’s sound for more than half a century. Fans could see how much it meant to him to say farewell on his own terms.

Back to the Beginning was more than an emotional event; it was monumental in every sense. With an audience of 45,000 in the stadium and nearly six million watching online, the concert managed to raise over £140 million for children’s hospitals and Parkinson’s charities. The band’s farewell was not only a gift to fans but also a significant contribution to causes that mattered deeply to Ozzy.

Less than three weeks after that iconic night, Ozzy passed away at the age of 76. The news stunned not only his fellow bandmates but also millions of fans around the world. The sense of collective loss was felt in countless tributes, social media posts, and spontaneous gatherings in his hometown of Birmingham.

In Birmingham, fans gathered at famous Black Sabbath landmarks, such as the Sabbath bench and the Black Sabbath Bridge. Flowers were laid, candles were lit, and memories were shared. Many people spoke about how Ozzy’s music gave them identity, confidence, and the feeling of belonging to something larger than themselves. For his hometown, he was more than a star—he was a symbol.

Ozzy’s bandmates shared their own heartfelt tributes in the days following his death. Bill Ward described Ozzy as his “dearest mate,” while Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi spoke of the pain of losing not just a collaborator but a brother. Their messages made it clear that Black Sabbath was always a family, with bonds that endured beyond music.

The partnership between Ozzy and Tony had lasted more than five decades. Together, they helped invent heavy metal, creating a genre that inspired countless bands and generations of listeners. Tony’s iconic guitar sound, partly shaped by necessity after a factory accident, and Ozzy’s haunting vocals became the blueprint for an entire musical movement.

Black Sabbath’s earliest albums, especially their self-titled debut and Paranoid, revolutionized rock music. The dark, powerful riffs and ominous themes set a new standard, defining the heavy metal genre. Their collaboration marked a creative partnership that would shape music history.

The band’s name itself reflected a break from the conventions of the time. Inspired by horror films and the occult, Black Sabbath embraced a darker aesthetic that challenged the flower power and optimism of the late 1960s. This identity made them stand out and attracted a devoted following that would only grow with time.

For their final bow, Black Sabbath was joined by legendary acts from across the rock world, including members of Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Pantera, and others. Even celebrities like Jason Momoa and Jack Black paid tribute. The sheer scale of the event showed just how much respect Ozzy commanded from his peers and fans alike.

Ozzy’s influence reached far beyond heavy metal. Through his solo career, reality TV fame, and the creation of Ozzfest, he became a global cultural icon. Meanwhile, Tony Iommi’s signature guitar sound influenced everyone from Metallica to Nirvana and Soundgarden, ensuring that the band’s legacy would continue to echo through generations.

Reflecting on everything, Tony Iommi called Ozzy’s passing “incomprehensible.” He admitted it hadn’t really sunk in, and his words captured the pain of losing a friend who had been by his side through so much. The farewell concert stood as a testament to their shared purpose, a moment of triumph in the face of adversity.

Even as the grief lingers, the legacy of Black Sabbath—and Ozzy’s voice in particular—will never fade. Their music will always be remembered as the sound of rebellion, innovation, and brotherhood. Tony Iommi’s memories, and the outpouring of love from fans worldwide, are proof that Ozzy’s final goodbye was not the end, but the beginning of a legend that will live on forever.