Ozzy Osbourne’s declining health surprised his bandmate Geezer Butler ahead of the Black Sabbath Farewell show on July 5th.
Butler opened up about Osbourne’s last performance in a recent essay. He noted that the legendary rocker required support from three people during rehearsals and had to sit down while singing.
“I knew he wasn’t well, but seeing how frail he had become was jarring,” Butler expressed. “He was assisted by two helpers and a nurse in the rehearsal room and used a cane. Of course, it was a black cane adorned with gold and precious gems.”
Butler reflected on how minimal Osbourne’s conversation was, stating, “He didn’t say much other than just greetings. When he sang, he was in a chair and struggled to make it through six or seven songs.”
While the two chatted a little, Butler found Osbourne unusually quiet, especially compared to his usual self.
During their final show in Birmingham, where the band started, the closure felt a bit off. “Usually, we hug and bow to the audience together. But Ozzy sat on his throne, and we didn’t really know what to do. It was strange,” Butler recalled. “Tony waved, I handed over a cake, and it felt like a bizarre way to end our story.”
Butler also mentioned wanting more time with Osbourne backstage but felt that time is fleeting. “As Ozzy would say, ‘You want one hand and the other an S-T, and see which comes first,’” he recalled with a hint of wistfulness.
He appreciated Osbourne’s supportive side, writing, “If you needed a friend, Ozzy was there. When my son was born with a heart defect, he called every day for a year to check on me, despite not speaking much.”
Osbourne passed away on July 22nd at 76. Sources indicated to Page 6 that the final concert gave him a moment of revitalization just before his death.
“It energized him—he seemed to come alive again,” a longtime associate remarked. “He had been slowing down, but afterward, it was like he returned to form. It’s a beautiful closure.”
Osbourne faced health challenges for many years, revealing in January 2020 that he had secretly battled Parkinson’s disease for over 15 years. A serious neck injury from a 2003 quad bike accident complicated matters further, and by May 2022, he underwent “life-changing” surgery that left him struggling to walk.
His family, including wife Sharon and children Jack, Kelly, Amy, and Louis, shared that he passed surrounded by loved ones, emphasizing he was “surrounded by love” in his final moments.
Reportedly, Osbourne spent his last days in England in peace. “His final day was spent with family, music, and what he called home,” a source shared. “He seemed at peace.”
