Peter Jordan – PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images
If the countless musicians paying tribute to Ozzy Osbourne haven’t communicated just how impactful the late Prince of Darkness was, who else would also be honored by Kermit the Frog, Adam Sandler, The Alamo and PETA?
The famed green Muppet posted a statement remembering when Ozzy guested on the 1994 album Kermit Unpigged, during which he covered Steppenwolf‘s “Born to Be Wild” alongside Miss Piggy.
“No one rocked harder than the great Ozzy Osbourne,” reads a letter from Kermit. “Every time we bumped into Ozzy over the years, he made us feel just as cool as he was. We loved having a friend like Ozzy Osbourne and we feel so lucky to have known him, worked with him and experienced his music for so many decades.”
Sandler, meanwhile, worked with Ozzy when he had a cameo in the movie Little Nicky.
“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 bada** to crank up on our speakers than the one and only prince of darkness – Ozzy Osbo[u]rne!” Sandler writes.
PETA, meanwhile, put out a statement commending Ozzy’s work for animal rights — biting off the head of a bat notwithstanding — while The Alamo addressed the 1982 incident in which he was arrested for public intoxication at the famed Texas landmark.
“At the Alamo, we honor history in all its complexities,” The Alamo says. “Today, we acknowledge Ozzy Osbourne’s journey from regret to reconciliation at the historic site, and we extend our condolences to his family, friends, and fans around the world. May he rest in peace.”
Ozzy Osbourne‘s former bandmates Jake E. Lee and Bob Daisley have each shared tributes to the late Prince of Darkness.
Lee, who played guitar in Ozzy’s solo band from 1982 to 1987, writes, “Still processing it. The finality of it hits me in waves.”
Lee also shared a text he received from Ozzy two weeks ago, seemingly just after Lee had performed at Ozzy and Black Sabbath‘s Back to the Beginning farewell concert on July 5.
“Hi jake im so sorry i couldnt spend more time with you on the weekend but it was really [chaotic],” the text reads. “I would really like to see you when i eventually get back TO LA just to shoot the s*** its been so long since we saw each other , where have are you living these days , because the last thing i herd was you were living in Las Vegas. How did the gig go for you on Saturday i really hope you had fun anyway i will text you when i eventually get back to LA and we must hook up much love and respect.”
Daisley, who was Ozzy’s original solo bass player, writes, “This is a sad day and it has brought me to tears.”
“When I reminisce about Ozzy’s and my times together, I think about the fun, the laughs and of course what we created together musically, which will live much longer than these mortal bodies that we inhabit,” Daisley continues. “My condolences to everyone who you’ve left behind, Ozzy. Nothing can change the true friendship that we once had; I’ll see you on the other side.'”
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers drummer Stan Lynch has announced the first live shows with his new band The Speaker Wars.
The group, featuring vocalist/guitarist Jon Christopher Davis, is set to play a trio of dates in Texas: Sept. 5 in Austin, followed by Sept. 6 in Houston and Sept. 7 in Dallas.
“This band has the sound of raw authority,” Lynch shares. “Once we got The Speaker Wars in a room, we locked the door and said no one’s leaving. It’s that strong, and it’s good to have my old job back.”
Davis adds, “Playin’ live with Lynch is like slippin’ on a seasoned pair of Levi’s. Smooth, effortlessly-cool, fun, trusty, perfect.”
Tickets for all shows are on sale now.
The Speaker Wars — made up of Lynch, Davis, Jay Michael Smith on guitar, Brian Patterson on bass, Steve Ritter on percussion and Jay Brown on keyboards — released their self-titled debut album in May.
Billy Joel admits he was a reluctant subject when it comes to the HBO documentary And So It Goes.
In a new cover story forPeople, Billy says, “I’ve resisted this kind of thing for so long. I’m sick of talking about myself.”
He notes, “My goal was to get it over with. When I do interviews, people just ask you about yourself and you get a little self-conscious about it eventually. It’s almost embarrassing.”
“I was worried, maybe I’m going to hate this thing, because it’s a lot to ask of somebody, a lifetime of work,” he says of the documentary. “[But] at the end, I didn’t hate it, which, to me, is the real compliment.”
In fact, he shares, “There was some stuff I found out about myself. There was some self-revelatory stuff.” For example, Billy says the doc’s co-director Susan Lacy helped him realize that “a lot of the things I was searching for were my father in my life, and I recognized that in the documentary.”
Billy’s father, Howard Joel, left the family when Billy was 8 years old and moved to Austria, which inspired Billy’s song “Vienna.” The two reconnected years later.
Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham have finally revealed the news they’ve been teasing for days.
The former couple, and Fleetwood Mac bandmates, are set to reissue their only studio album as a duo, 1973’s Buckingham Nicks, on Sept. 19.
The album will be released digitally and on CD, with newly remastered sound. There will also be special vinyl editions released on Rhino High Fidelity audio — one limited to 5,000 individually numbered copies and one that’s limited to 2,000 copies, featuring two replica 7-inch singles. There will also be a variety of colored vinyl variants.
This will mark the first-ever reissue of the album, which has been unavailable for decades. While Buckingham Nicks wasn’t a commercial success, shortly after the release Mick Fleetwood heard a track from the album and was so impressed he invited Buckingham to join Fleetwood Mac. Buckingham insisted his then-girlfriend Nicks come with him, and the pair officially joined the band on New Year’s Eve 1974.
Discussing their partnership, Nicks shares in new liner notes, “[We] knew what we had as a duo, two songwriters that sang really well together. And it was a very natural thing, from the beginning.” Buckingham shares that the album “stands up in a way you hope it would, by these two kids who were pretty young to be doing that work.”
Amid the outpouring of tributes to Ozzy Osbourne following news of the metal icon’s death Tuesday at age 76, even more have arrived to honor the late Prince of Darkness.
Metallica, which originally posted a simple broken-heart emoji when the news first broke, shared a longer statement, beginning, “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,” the post continues. “Ozzy and Sharon [Osbourne] believed in us and transformed our lives and careers. He taught us how to play in the big leagues while at the same time being warm, welcoming, engaging, and all around brilliant. We are heartbroken and devastated by this loss and send our love and condolences to Sharon and their family, bandmates, and his very large circle of friends. He left an incredible legacy and will be sorely missed.”
Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward added his own statement following posts byTony Iommi and Geezer Butler, reading, “Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls, no, you’re forever in my heart. Deepest condolences to Sharon and all family members. RIP Sincere regrets to all the fans. Never goodbye. Thank you forever.”
Def Leppard, Dave Matthews Band and Coldplay all covered Black Sabbath’s “Changes” during shows Tuesday, while Wolfgang Van Halen‘s Mammoth covered Ozzy’s solo song “Mama, I’m Coming Home.”
News of Ozzy’s death also reached the pop world — Lady Gaga wore an Ozzy Osbourne shirt and danced to “Crazy Train” during her show Tuesday in San Francisco.
Here are some of the other tributes:
Foo Fighters: “Rest in peace, Ozzy. And thank you for a lifetime of inspiration. Rock and Roll would not be as loud or as fun without you. You will be forever missed. Our deepest condolences to the entire Osbourne and Sabbath family.”
Judas Priest: “Our hearts are broken like millions around the world – words can’t express the love and loss we are all feeling – Sharon – may God surround you and your beautiful family with love, peace & light – Ozzy you will never leave us – Your music is eternal – God blesses you now more than ever after you blessed us all through your magnificent life.”
Robert Plant: “Farewell Ozzy … what a journey … sail on up there .. finally at peace .. you truly changed the planet of rock!”
Queen: “Queen is deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary artist Ozzy Osbourne. Sending thoughts to his family, friends and his fans. His music will live on.”
Iron Maiden: “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. RIP Ozzy Osbourne.”
Volbeat: “Thanx for everything dear Ozzy, Prince of Darkness. You were so loved and will forever be a huge inspiration. See you on the other side.”
Mötley Crüe‘s Nikki Sixx: “I will forever be grateful he gave our little ratty band from Hollywood our first big break…Thank you for the music, your kindness and wicked wicked sense of humor. Journey well our friend.”
Everybody who loves karaoke has a go-to song, and apparently in the U.K. one Bon Jovi tune hails above all others.
A new study, commissioned by the telecommunications company Vodafone Three, finds that the New Jersey rockers’ #1 hit “Livin’ on a Prayer” is the U.K.’s ultimate karaoke tune and the karaoke song most likely to boost Brits’ moods.
Oxford University mathematician Dr. Tom Crawford created a formula to determine the ultimate karaoke tune, researching data from 2,000 karaoke fans. The results were determined by looking at things like number of verses, beats per minute and repetition of chorus, then ranking songs based on a score from 1 to 100.
Bon Jovi’s track topped all others with a score of 91%, followed closely by Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” with a 90% score.
The list also included songs by Oasis, Adele, ABBA, Shania Twain and the Spice Girls.
Released in 1986, “Livin’ on a Prayer” was co-written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Desmond Child, and was the second single from the band’s third studio album, Slippery When Wet. It was their second #1, following the album’s first single, “You Give Love a Bad Name.”
Ozzy Osbourne‘s Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler have shared tributes to the late Prince of Darkness following news of his death Tuesday at age 76.
Iommi and Butler had just performed with Ozzy, along with original drummer Bill Ward, at Sabbath’s massive Back to the Beginning farewell concert on July 5, held in the band’s hometown of Birmingham, England.
“I just can’t believe it! My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park,” Iommi says. “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 out to Sharon and all the Osbourne family. Rest in peace Oz.”
In his own post, Butler says, “Goodbye dear friend- thanks for all those years- we had some great fun.”
“4 kids from Aston- who’d have thought, eh?” Butler continues. “So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.”
Ozzy, Iommi, Butler and Ward formed Black Sabbath in 1968, pioneering the genre of heavy metal.
Elton John: “So sad to hear the news of @ozzyosbourne 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.”
Queen‘s Brian May: “So sad to hear of Ozzie’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. And happy to know he passed peacefully with his loving family close by. But the world will miss Ozzie’s unique presence and fearless talent. My heartfelt consolations to Sharon and their great family. And to Bill and Geezer and my dear friend Tony – for this is family – I know only too well. REST IN PEACE dear Ozzie.”
Nirvana: “Thank you Ozzy Osbourne for the inspiration. @BlackSabbath is the template for heavy Rock.”
Pearl Jam‘s Mike McCready: “Sad to hear Ozzy died today. When I was in high school I discovered Sabbath. ‘War Pigs’ was terrifying and mesmerizing at the same time. It was Ozzy’s voice that took me away to a dark universe. A great escape. Then when The Blizzard of Ozz record came out I was instantly a fan. Randy Rhoads was an influence on me to play lead guitar. Luckily I got to play on the song ‘Immortal’ on the last record. Thanks for the music, Ozzy it makes our journey in life better.”
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.”
The Rolling Stones‘ Ronnie Wood: “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.”
KISS‘ Gene Simmons: “Sad to report Ozzy has passed away. He was a giant. Admired and loved by millions of fans worldwide. Prayers and condolences go out to the Osborne family.”
Bush‘s Gavin Rossdale: “RIP OZZY – a great man -a true legend – i met ozzy through jack just a few times but he was so warm and kind and funny and i love that memory. sending much love to his family at this difficult time. Rest in power.”
Pantera: “RIP @ozzyosbourne Thank you for all that you did for metal & Pantera. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.”
Billy Idol: “Very sad 2 hear of @ozzyosbourne sudden passing… I’m so glad that I could be part of his solo induction into the @rockhall last October that I got to honor his achievements in the light of his passing. Here I am pictured with @ozzyosbourne @stevestevens on the that night last October. I saw Black Sabbath one month before the first album came out at Worthing town hall in 1968 I was right at the front & his tassels were touching me! Ozzy embodied the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll, and he performed right to the end as we all saw most recently at the back to the beginning concert. My condolences to Sharon Jack Kelly, and the whole family. My heart goes out to you.”
Yungblud: “I didn’t think you would leave so soon the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room. But as it is written with legends, they seem to know the things that we don’t. I will never forget you – you will be in every single note I sing and with me every single time I walk on stage. Your cross around my neck is the most precious thing I own. You asked me once if there was anything you could do for me and as I said then and as I will say now for all of us the music was enough. You took us on your adventure – an adventure that started it all. I am truly heartbroken. You were the greatest of all time.”
Sammy Hagar: “@OzzyOsbourne was and will always be a one of a kind true rock legend. For him to have been that close to death on July 5 and still get up there and perform like he promised… Wow! That puts him in a category of his own. Talk about commitment and loyalty to your fans. Nobody’s going to out-do that ever! RIP my brother, you did it all.”
Disturbed‘s David Draiman: “Goodbye my dear teacher……a father to us all.…my friend. I love you @ozzyosbourne and I will miss you terribly.”
Dee Snider: “Farewell @OzzyOsbourne. You and your bands changed my life. Thank you for the ride.”
Rod Stewart: “Bye, bye Ozzy. Sleep well, my friend. I’ll see you up there — later rather than sooner.”
Jason Momoa: “Love you @ozzyosbourne All my aloha @sharonosbourne and ohana. So grateful. RIP.”
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.”
Flavor Flav: “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.”
Ice T: “RIP Ozzy. Right after the recent huge Black Sabbath final concert. Sad.. In my opinion the Creators of Heavy Metal.”
Ozzy Osbourne, undoubtedly one of the most beloved and iconic heavy metal singers on the planet, has died at age 76.
A statement from his family issued on Tuesday reads, “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.”
In 1968, the Birmingham, England, native co-founded Black Sabbath with guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward. The band helped define the metal genre, thanks in large part to Osbourne’s otherworldly vocals on such classic tunes as “Iron Man,” “Paranoid” and “War Pigs.” Ozzy also gained notoriety for his often-drug-and-alcohol-fueled exploits. His persona and antics earned him the nicknames the Prince of Darkness and the Metal Madman.
After a decade with the group, Osbourne was fired from Sabbath in 1979, purportedly over his substance abuse. However, he soon launched a solo career that, with initial help from virtuoso guitarist Randy Rhoads, became more successful than Black Sabbath’s. Among Ozzy’s memorable tunes from the ’80s are “Crazy Train,” “Flying High Again,” “Shot in the Dark,” “Bark at the Moon” and “No More Tears.” In 1988, Osbourne scored a top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Close My Eyes Forever,” a duet with former Runaways guitarist Lita Ford.
Ozzy occasionally reunited with Black Sabbath over the years, while mainly focusing on his solo endeavors. In 1996, Osbourne’s wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne, launched Ozzfest, an annual hard-rock festival and tour that Ozzy regularly headlined either solo or with Sabbath.
In the early 2000s, the singer found a whole new audience when he starred alongside Sharon and two of their children — Jack Osbourne and Kelly Osbourne — in the hit MTV reality series The Osbournes, which ran from 2002 to 2005. He and Jack teamed up again for another reality show, Ozzy & Jack’s World Detour, which debuted in 2016.
In 2006, Ozzy was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Black Sabbath. The band — minus Ward — reunited to record a final studio album, 13, which was released in 2013. The group launched a farewell tour called The End that ran from January 2016 to February 2017.
Ozzy then refocused on his solo career and in 2018 launched the No More Tours II outing, which he intended to be his final major trek. But in early 2019 he battled an upper respiratory infection and pneumonia, which forced him to postpone tour legs in the U.K. and Europe, and cancel dates in Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
Also in 2019, Osbourne suffered a fall in his home, aggravating injuries he suffered in a 2003 ATV accident. He required extensive surgery and recovery time, and continued to postpone tour dates. In 2020, Ozzy revealed he’d been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Amid all that, Ozzy continued to put out new music, including the Grammy-nominated 2022 solo album Patient Number 9, which he supported with several live appearances. Still, the effects from the 2019 fall continued to hamper him, and in early 2023, he announced that his long-postponed tour dates would be canceled and that he was retiring from touring.
In 2024, Ozzy returned to the stage for his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist: He shouted the iconic “All aboard”‘ intro to “Crazy Train” from a throne onstage. In addition to that song, an all-star band paid tribute to him with versions of “Mama, I’m Coming Home” and “No More Tears.”
On July 5, 2025, Ozzy made his final onstage appearance as part of the epic 10-hour all-star Back to the Beginning concert in Birmingham, England. He performed a five-song solo set while seated on a throne and was joined by his original Black Sabbath bandmates for a four-song set that included “War Pigs,” “Iron Man” and “Paranoid.” The concert will screen in theaters in 2026.
Ozzy had announced earlier in July that a memoir entitled Last Rites will be released Oct. 7.
