Rockers Offer Tributes to Their ‘Dear Friend,’ Ozzy Osbourne
by Best Classic Bands StaffWithin minutes of the announcement that Ozzy Osbourne died at age 76 on July 22, 2025, fellow rockers took to social media to offer tributes to the “very sweet and very funny” “architects of heavy metal.” We’ve selected many of them to share, beginning with the ones from his wife, Sharon, and their family, and his Black Sabbath family.
It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love.
We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.
Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and… pic.twitter.com/WLJhOrMsDF
— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) July 22, 2025
Ozzy Forever! pic.twitter.com/aJKVOCnJiI
— BlackSabbath (@BlackSabbath) July 22, 2025
I just can’t believe it! My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park.
It’s just such heartbreaking news that I can’t really find the words, there won’t ever be another like him. Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother.
My thoughts go… pic.twitter.com/tW9OMhvL47— Tony Iommi (@tonyiommi) July 22, 2025
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
From Elton John: “So sad to hear the news of Ozzy Osbourne passing away. He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods – a true legend. 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.”
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
When The Who began their July 22 concert in Milan, Italy, Pete Townshend introduced the opening number, “I Can’t Explain,” by saying, “We’re gonna be doing this first song for Ozzy. God bless him.”
From Huey Lewis: “So sad about Ozzy Osbourne. I recorded a Clover album in 1975 or 1976 in Rockfield Wales at the same studio as Sabbath and we played soccer at lunch several days together. He was very savvy, very sweet, and very funny. He will be missed.”
Man,,, real heart broken over the passing of OZZY OSBOURNE,,, we go way back and it was a real honor to watch him get inducted into the @rockhall last year. Sending my love and prayers to Sharon and his kids and whole family. RIP pic.twitter.com/YVKpAz6FKg
— FLAVOR FLAV (@FlavorFlav) July 22, 2025
From Joe Walsh: “A fine gentleman, father, husband and friend with a legacy that will never be denied. But for me – above all – a gentle soul. Our deepest condolences to Sharon and the family. May Ozzy Osbourne RIP, the Prince of Darkness!”
Everyone connected with Iron Maiden sends their sincere condolences to Sharon & the Osbourne Family on the sad announcement of Ozzy’s passing. He helped shape heavy metal as we know it and we will be forever grateful to Black Sabbath for forging the path that so many followed.… pic.twitter.com/TYCL4vDd0B
— Iron Maiden (@IronMaiden) July 23, 2025
We’re heartbroken to hear about the passing of our brother in rock, Ozzy Osbourne. A voice that changed music forever. From Black Sabbath to his solo work, Ozzy redefined what it meant to be heavy. He did it all with heart, grit, and that wild spirit only he could bring.
Our… pic.twitter.com/GNR3Rcw2wU
— Aerosmith (@Aerosmith) July 22, 2025
Whether we were in our basements with our brothers, in the woods with our buddies, in the car, at a keg party, on a boat, at football practice, at a sleepover….Nobody was more badass to crank up on our speakers than the one and only prince of darkness – Ozzy Osborne! Loved him a… pic.twitter.com/wc7QSQ52uT
— Adam Sandler (@AdamSandler) July 22, 2025
From Duran Duran: “What can you say about Ozzy? Whatever it is, it’s in a Brummie accent. 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.”
OZZY RIP
It’s impossible to put into words what Ozzy Osbourne has meant to Metallica. Hero, icon, pioneer, inspiration, mentor, and, most of all, friend are a few that come to mind. Ozzy and Sharon believed in us and transformed our lives and careers. He taught us how to play… pic.twitter.com/Am4UZbLXpw
— Metallica (@Metallica) July 22, 2025
Farewell Ozzy … what a journey … sail on up there .. finally at peace .. you truly changed the planet of rock!
— Robert Plant (@RobertPlant) July 22, 2025
From Randy Bachman: “One of the original architects of Heavy Metal has gone to music heaven. He and Sharon will forever be known as THE fantastic power couple of the industry. Sending peace to his friends and family today. Rock on, Ozzy! Other worlds to sing in.”
Much luv to Sharon and the beautiful Osbourne Family
So sorry to hear of your loss.
Rest easy Ozzy.. pic.twitter.com/DCc9VsguFo— Jon Bon Jovi (@jonbonjovi) July 22, 2025
From Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott: “”Kinda lost for words here… we toured with Ozzy in 1981 & he, the band & Sharon were SO supportive… he always had time for a chat, took us under his wing & showed us how & how not to party… & played us the 2nd album months before it came out… he was funny, charming & I for one am eternally grateful to have had the chance to spend precious time with him over the years… all my love to Sharon & the kids… God bless you Ozzy x”
I am stunned. I can’t believe that my former next-door neighbor and good friend has passed suddenly. When he and Sharon and the kids lived next-door to me for a couple of years, we weren’t rock stars comparing careers – we were just friends and neighbors getting along just fine.… pic.twitter.com/Pek3rjGPFb
— ThePatBoone (@Pat_Boone) July 23, 2025
Remembering my brother in music, Ozzy Osbourne. I’ve always looked back at this commercial we shot in ’03 so fondly. The last time we spoke was backstage of Dancing with The Stars season 9, when he told me how much he loved the Osmond song, “Crazy Horses”…talk about crazy!… pic.twitter.com/fUBHNxqZuK
— Donny Osmond (@donnyosmond) July 22, 2025
From Judas Priest…
RIP @OzzyOsbourne
Thank you for all that you did for music and for Mötley Crüe. None of this would be same if it wasn’t for you and you will be missed. Our thoughts are with the Osbourne family. #ozzyosbourne #mötleycrüe pic.twitter.com/eLuElVIYxj— Mötley Crüe (@MotleyCrue) July 22, 2025
From Brian May of Queen: “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. I’m grateful I was able to have a few quiet words with him after the show.”
In happier times, love always PC x pic.twitter.com/Do0NMKfgiN
— Phil Collins (@PhilCollinsFeed) July 23, 2025
From Rick Wakeman: “I have read and listened to so many tributes to my friend Ozzy and indeed have had the honour of being part of some myself… and I’d like to think that Ozzy would be mightily proud to know how much he was loved.
“My son Adam, who worked with Ozzy for more than 20 years is totally gutted and I can understand why too, as Ozzy and Sharon treated him almost as one of the family. I worked with Ozzy on Sabbath Bloody Sabbath and Osmosis, (I still rate ‘Perry Mason’ as the best Prog Metal songs ever), and was honoured when Ozzy sang ‘Buried Alive’ on my Return to the Centre of the Earth album.
“With YES, we supported Sabbath on a tour and I spent many a happy time with the Sabbath lads, drinking and laughing, (well, mostly drinking), and I can truly say the friendships were cemented.
“My heart goes out to Sharon (who truly saved Ozzy’s life), and the 5 kids and his brothers and sisters. Thanks for the memories Ozzy, they will outlast us all.”
Lady Gaga takes her bow to “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne in San Francisco tonight, wearing a shirt honoring the late rock icon.
: purple_b/Instagram pic.twitter.com/gcJu0WK3nL
— Gaga Daily (@gagadaily) July 23, 2025
From Scorpions: “Ozzy will live on forever in our hearts, and will always remain the beloved Prince of Darkness for millions of fans around the planet… RIP Ozzy… Klaus, Rudolf, Matthias, Pawel & Mikkey.”
1 Comment so far
Jump into a conversationI’m not a Metal guy but Ozzy and Black Sabbath were truly THE Pioneers and trailblazers for this genre. RIP dear Ozzy