Luminaries of the music world and beyond mourned the death of Ozzy Osbourne at age 76, expressing affection and admiration for the heavy metal icon.
Elton John called the Black Sabbath frontman "a dear friend and a huge trailblazer" and "one of the funniest people I've ever met." Nirvana said Black Sabbath was "the template for heavy rock." Rod Stewart said he would "see you up there — later rather than sooner."
Osbourne died Tuesday, just weeks after his farewell show. In 2020, he revealed he had Parkinson's disease after suffering a fall.
Some notable reaction:
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. Elton xx" — on Instagram
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Rod Stewart
"Bye, bye Ozzy. Sleep well, my friend. I'll see you up there — later rather than sooner." — on Instagram
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" — on X
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." — on X
Jason Momoa
"Love you @ozzyosbourne. All my aloha @sharonosbourne and ohana. So grateful RIP." — on Instagram
Billie Joe Armstrong
"No words. We love you Ozzy." — on Instagram
Nirvana
"Thank you Ozzy Osbourne for the inspiration. @BlackSabbath is the template for heavy Rock. #Ozzy " — on X
Questlove
"Long live the Oz. Rest In Melody." — on Instagram
Premier League club Aston Villa
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 Aston Villa are with his wife Sharon, his family, friends, and countless fans at this extremely difficult time. Rest in peace, Ozzy. — in a statement
Pantera
"Thank you for all that you did for metal & Pantera. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Amy & Louis, we are so very sorry for your loss" — on Instagram
Wolfgang Van Halen
"Legend. Thank you for everything, Ozzy" — on Instagram
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 Osbourne family." — on X
The Alamo
"We at the Alamo are saddened to hear of the passing of legendary musician Ozzy Osbourne. His relationship with the Alamo was marked initially by a deeply disrespectful incident in 1982. This act profoundly and rightfully upset many who hold this site sacred. However, redemption and reconciliation eventually became part of his history as well. In 1992, Ozzy personally apologized to then-Mayor Nelson Wolff and expressed genuine remorse for his actions. Decades later, in 2015, he revisited the Alamo grounds to learn and appreciate the site's profound history, openly demonstrating humility and understanding." — on Facebook in a post that expressed condolences to Osbourne's family, friends and fans.
Remembering Ozzy Osbourne: Archival photos of the heavy metal legend
FILE - Ozzy Osbourne performs at his Ozzy Scream Tour concert in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on March 26, 2011. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)
FILE - Metal-rock star Ozzy Osbourne holds a replica of his new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as he poses with his family during a ceremony on April 12, 2002, in Los Angeles. Pictured with Osbourne, from left, are Aimee, Sharon, Kelly, Jack and Louis. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)
FILE - Ozzy Osbourne poses with a prop at the "Black Sabbath: 13 3D" maze at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights on Sept. 17, 2013, in Universal City, Calif. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP, File)
FILE - Ozzy Osbourne, left, and Sharon Osbourne arrive at the 87th Academy Awards Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar Party on Feb. 22, 2015, in West Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)
FILE - Ozzy Osbourne arrives at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards on Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
FILE - Ozzy Osbourne, left, performs, Jan. 17, 1985, at the Rock in Rio music festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo, File)
FILE - Rock musician Ozzy Osbourne embraces his fiancee, Sharon Arden, in Los Angeles, on Dec. 21, 1981. (AP Photo/Douglas Pizac, File)
FILE - Rocker Ozzy Osbourne greets fans at Tower Records in downtown Manhattan, New York, Sept. 17, 1991 while kicking off the release of his new album "No More Tears." Osbourne surprised the crowd of some 200 people gathered at the store to purchase the long awaited Guns and Roses albums "Illusion I" and "Illusion II" which went on sale at midnight. (AP Photo/Luiz Ribeiro, File)
FILE - Singer Ozzy Osbourne appears at news conference to tell reporters that his song "Suicide Solution" was misinterpreted and is anti-suicide, in Los Angeles on Jan. 21, 1986. (AP Photo/Lacy Atkins, File)
FILE - Ozzy Osbourne kisses his wife Sharon during the "Ozzfest Meets Knotfest" news conference at the Hollywood Palladium, May 12, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
FILE - British rock musician Ozzy Osbourne is shown on Oct. 27, 1988 in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, file)
FILE - Ozzy Osbourne arrives at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
FILE - Ozzy Osbourne performs during the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony at the Alexander stadium in Birmingham, England, Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)
FILE - Rock singer Ozzy Osbourne poses for a photo in Los Angeles on Dec. 21, 1981. (AP Photo/Douglas Pizac, file)
FILE - Singer Ozzy Osbourne performs during halftime of an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Buffalo Bills in Inglewood, Calif., Sept. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)
