In a poignant interview with ITV, Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has spoken for the first time about the sudden death of his bandmate and lifelong friend, Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away on Tuesday. Iommi candidly shared his disbelief and the profound shock felt by those closest to the iconic frontman, offering a rare glimpse into Osbourne’s final days and the emotional “Back To The Beginning” concert on July 5.
Remembering Ozzy Osbourne: The Prince of Darkness (1948-2025)
John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne, the iconic English singer, songwriter, and media personality, who captivated audiences as the “Prince of Darkness,” passed away on July 22, 2025. Born on December 3, 1948, Osbourne rose to prominence in the 1970s as the powerful lead vocalist of the pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath.
His distinctive voice and commanding stage presence became synonymous with the genre, solidifying his legendary status in music history.
Tony Iommi Interview
“It was a shock for us,” Iommi confessed, his voice tinged with grief. “When I heard yesterday, it couldn’t sink in. I thought, ‘It can’t be.’ I only had a text from him the day before. It just seemed unreal, surreal.”
The legendary guitarist revealed that Osbourne’s health had been a concern during rehearsals for the highly anticipated reunion show. “He’s not looked well through the rehearsals,” Iommi admitted. This sentiment was echoed in a text message from Osbourne himself, just a day before his passing, where he described feeling “tired” and having “no energy.”
Iommi, along with fellow Black Sabbath member Geezer Butler, believes Osbourne’s sheer determination powered him through the final performance. “Me and Geezer were talking about it last night,” Iommi shared. “We think he held out to do it, and just after that, he’s done it and said goodbye to the fans. And that was the end of it, really.”
Back To The Beginning
The “Back To The Beginning” concert, a monumental event that saw Osbourne perform five songs with his solo band before joining Black Sabbath for four unforgettable tracks, will undoubtedly go down in rock history. Iommi reflected on the band’s quiet satisfaction after their performance.
“He went to his dressing room and I went to mine and Geez went to his and so on,” Iommi recounted. “And then he came over. He came around before he was leaving on a wheelchair that brought him in to say goodbye and have a little chat for a bit. And he seemed all right. He enjoyed it. And he said, ‘Oh, it went all right, didn’t it?’ I said, ‘Yeah, it did.’”
The demanding nature of the rehearsals, coupled with Osbourne’s health struggles, meant the band took precautions to conserve his energy. “We didn’t want him there every day at rehearsal, because it’s too much,” Iommi explained. “He just wouldn’t be able to stand it. So they’d bring him in and he’d sit down and sing a few songs, and then we’d talk about some rubbish old times or whatever, have a laugh, and then he’d go. And that’s sort of what we did, really.”
Despite the profound sadness of Osbourne’s passing, Iommi finds some solace in the fact that the band was able to perform one last time together. “I’m really glad we did it,” he stated. “It was a final thing for everybody. If we hadn’t have done it, people couldn’t have seen the band and Ozzy and it would have been a shame.”
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#Black Sabbath #Tony Iommi #Ozzy Osbourne
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