Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Wish: Bright Colors, No Black at His Funeral
Sage Matthews here with the inside scoop that will surprise even the most devoted Sabbath fan. Time to reveal the Prince of Darkness’s final directive.
Ozzy Osbourne made one surprising request for his funeral before his death at age 76, according to reports from People Magazine and TMZ. Far from embracing the all-black aesthetic usually associated with his heavy metal image, the legendary Black Sabbath frontman insisted that no guest wear black at his farewell service. Sources close to the family say he wanted mourners to honor his life with bright, celebratory hues instead of the traditional somber attire.
Friends and family shared the detail with People Magazine, explaining that Ozzy felt “black felt too gloomy” for marking a career he described as a “wild, colorful ride.” The rocker’s unexpected decree was officially confirmed by TMZ, which obtained a portion of his written instructions to his loved ones. The condition underscores the playful spirit that drove his music and his public persona for more than five decades.
In a statement to Rolling Stone, a longtime member of his inner circle elaborated on Ozzy’s motivation. “He wanted everyone to reflect the vibrancy of his legacy,” the insider said. “Ozzy always said life is too short for dull moments. Even in death, he wanted to flip the script.” The rock icon’s request covers not only attire but also the general tone of the service: lively music, anecdotes from tour bus antics, and perhaps one more impromptu guitar solo by a close friend as guests share stories about the man who brought metal to the masses.
When news broke of his passing on September 25, social media flooded with tributes highlighting Ozzy’s signature bark, his daring stage dives, and the moments he broke taboos in music. Yet none of these tributes mentioned his posthumous dress code—until now. The funeral condition adds a personal and somewhat ironic twist: the Prince of Darkness asking for a rainbow of outfits from those who came to pay their respects.
Throughout his career, Ozzy defied expectations. He turned a church organ into a defining riff on Black Sabbath’s 1970 debut. He braved a full-on bat bite onstage, only to shrug it off thereafter. Now, in his final act, he challenges the rock world one more time by refusing the color most associated with his image. Instead, he wants his send-off to feel like one last joyous encore.
This unorthodox request has fans speculating about how those closest to Ozzy will honor his wishes. Will his bandmates don neon suits? Will the front row at his service calendar out tokens of his most iconic album covers? Only time will tell how the Prince’s parting show unfolds, but one thing is certain: it promises to be anything but black.
And there you have it. Wear your brightest colors and make sure that black guitar looks even darker by comparison.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, TMZ, Rolling Stone
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
