Zakk Wylde Shares Ozzy Osbourne’s Last Emotional Text After Birmingham Farewell
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Zakk Wylde has revealed the final text message he received from Ozzy Osbourne just weeks before the Prince of Darkness passed away at age 76 on July 22. In a detailed conversation with Guitar World published on July 29, the Black Label Society frontman recounted how their last digital exchange followed Black Sabbath’s farewell performance at Villa Park in Birmingham, England on July 5. That concert, which became Osbourne’s final stage appearance, attracted record crowds and was billed as the biggest grossing charity event of all time.
Wylde, 58, explained that he attended the show as a fan and former bandmate, but did not press for a backstage reunion amid the post-concert frenzy. “Everybody and their mother were in the backstage dressing room and I just wanted to give him a break,” he told the magazine. Aware that Osbourne’s health had been in decline, Wylde expected they would cross paths in the days after the historic show. Instead, they traded a brief but heartfelt text exchange that now stands as their last words to one another.
“The last text I got from Oz was saying, ‘Zakky, sorry, it was like a madhouse back there. I didn’t see you. Thanks for everything.’ It was just us talking, saying, ‘I love you, buddy.’ That was it,” Wylde recalled. He described the evening atmosphere as “pretty amazing,” and added that his first priority was ensuring Ozzy was comfortable throughout the performance and the post-show celebrations.
Wylde went on to reflect on the depth of his bond with Osbourne, who served as godfather to his oldest child. The New Jersey native noted an almost sibling-like relationship despite a two-decade age gap. “Oz was just the best,” Wylde said. “If Sharon asked me to watch their house while they were away, I’d bring milk and eggs without hesitation.” Their chemistry, he added, was instant and built on mutual respect and shared history.
The guitarist first joined Ozzy Osbourne’s band in 1987, replacing Jake E. Lee, and made his debut on the 1988 album No Rest for the Wicked. He contributed to No More Tears in 1991 and Ozzmosis in 1995 before departing briefly and then rejoining in 2001. Throughout those years, Wylde maintained that his creative work always honored Tony Iommi’s guitar legacy as the foundational influence on anything he composed for Ozzy.
Beyond their musical partnership, Wylde emphasized the personal dimension of their friendship. He described Ozzy Osbourne as a warm, easygoing figure who balanced rock star revelry with philanthropic dedication. The Villa Park concert, which funneled proceeds into charity, symbolized that dual legacy. For Wylde, closing the curtain on Ozzy’s live career with such a large-scale benefit event felt fitting for a legend who prioritized giving back.
As fans and the music community process the loss of an iconic frontman, Wylde’s account of their final text serves as a testament to a bond that transcended professional collaboration. This glimpse into Ozzy’s last interactions reminds us that behind the heavy metal theatrics stood genuine friendships and deep loyalty.
That concludes today’s in-depth look at Zakk Wylde’s revelations. More context on the heavy metal world and its legends will follow as new details surface.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, Guitar World
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
