Black Sabbath legends Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward have each shared poignant messages on the first anniversary of Ozzy Osbourne‘s death today, July 22, 2026. The heavy metal icon passed away at the age of 76, just weeks after the band’s final performance at the ‘Back to the Beginning’ concert in their hometown of Birmingham, England.
Fans and musicians alike are gathering today to honor the late icon in an official celebration dubbed ‘Ozzy Day.’ Reflecting on the loss, Tony Iommi shared a video and a heartfelt statement on X, noting, “It’s now a year since Ozzy’s passing and I still can’t believe that he’s not with us. I watch him on YouTube and it feels like he’s still here with us. We always stayed in touch… There will never be another Ozzy. I miss you my dear friend.”
Hi everyone. Well, it’s now a year since Ozzy’s passing and I still can’t believe that he’s not with us. I watch him on YouTube and it feels like he’s still here with us. We always stayed in touch, almost every week or so and we’d usually talk about our ailments and then about what we’d been doing that particular week. The fans have been absolutely brilliant and the love and respect that they have shown for him has just been amazing. I’m so glad that we were able to play one final show with the original line up of Sabbath at the Back To The Beginning show in our home town of Birmingham! There will never be another Ozzy. I miss you my dear friend. Tony
Geezer Butler also paid his respects, sharing a photo from their final performance. “One year ago today—hard to believe,” Butler wrote. “I am so glad we were able to do the final show, back in our hometown, just a couple of weeks before Ozzy left us. Gone in body, but his legend lives on. Such incredible memories. Ozzy forever!”
Bill Ward offered a brief but deeply moving tribute, posting a message that read: “Every day, there is a persistent silence. We miss you so much. Respectfully, with love to the Osbourne family, Bill and Jackie Ward Family.”
The band’s final performance, which featured the original lineup for the first time in two decades, included classics such as “War Pigs,” “N.I.B.,” “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid.” The evening concluded with a commemorative cake and fireworks, cementing a final, triumphant chapter for the pioneers of heavy metal.
