Music stars, fans and former bandmates have paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, the frontman of pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath, who has died at the age of 76.
Black Sabbath have “lost our brother”, said the band’s co-founder Tony Iommi, while bassist Geezer Butler remembered their final gig and drummer Bill Ward shared an old photo of them together.
The music icon’s death on Tuesday came less than three weeks after his band played their farewell gig in his home city of Birmingham.
“He loved what he did, he loved music, he loved playing together, and I’m so glad we had the opportunity of getting together again to do the [farewell] show,” Iommi told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Wednesday.
“It was brilliant being with all the guys again, and the atmosphere, and it was brilliant for Ozzy because he really wanted to do that, he felt at home there and it was good for all of us.”
Osbourne, known for energetic and controversial live shows, inspired a generation of musicians.
US rock band Aerosmith called him “our brother in rock”, sending their love to “the millions around the world who felt his fire”.
Osbourne’s bandmates in Black Sabbath all shared separate tributes on social media.
Drummer Bill Ward looked back at their time together and said: “Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls? No, you’re forever in my heart.”
Bassist and lyricist Geezer Butler wrote: “Goodbye dear friend. Thanks for all those years – we had some great fun. Four kids from Aston – who’d have thought, eh?”
