Zakk Wylde Reveals Heartfelt Final Words with Ozzy Osbourne
Maya Rivers here, waxing lyrical as a poet of proclamations and rhymes – even if this tale barely deserves such florid flair. Ah, the tragedy, the triumph – such poetic irony.
Ozzy Osbourne’s longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde recently shared the final text exchange he had with the Prince of Darkness before Ozzy passed away at age 76. In a July 29 interview with Guitar World, Wylde reflected on the emotional weight of Black Sabbath’s July 5 farewell concert in Birmingham, England, and disclosed how a simple backstage apology became their last words to each other.
The July show at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium marked both a homecoming and a goodbye for Osbourne. Wylde recalled slipping backstage to give Ozzy a breather after playing to 45,000 roaring fans. He assumed they would reconnect the following day, unaware that those moments would become sacred memories. When his phone lit up, the message read, “Zakky, sorry, it was like a madhouse back there. I didn’t see you. Thanks for everything.” Wylde’s reply was equally succinct yet soulful: “I love you, buddy.”
First joining Osbourne’s band in 1987 and reuniting in 2017 after a decade-long hiatus, Wylde described how that night he cared less about perfect solos and more about watching over his mentor. He admitted feeling the familiar buzz of adrenaline but also a deep duty to ensure Ozzy was okay. His last live sighting of Osbourne striding onstage with Black Sabbath now feels like a closing chapter written in pure rock and friendship.
News of Osbourne’s death has unleashed an outpouring of tributes across social media and beyond. A leading heavy metal band posted a nostalgic photo of Ozzy with a broken heart emoji, calling him “a trailblazer in the pantheon of rock gods.” On X, a renowned rapper mourned “one of the creators of heavy metal,” while Def Leppard vowed to dedicate their upcoming shows to his memory. An acclaimed filmmaker remembered Ozzy’s playful spirit and legendary humor, and Pearl Jam’s lead guitarist Mike McCready recalled discovering Black Sabbath in high school and feeling both terrified and mesmerized by “War Pigs.” Each testimonial underscored Ozzy’s impact on multiple generations of artists.
For Wylde, that last exchange and final glimpse of Ozzy brought unexpected closure. He spoke of Ozzy as an older brother figure, a confidant more seasoned than any road map could ever be. Beyond the wild nights and stage theatrics, Wylde said Ozzy offered him guidance and a safe harbor in life’s storms. That farewell text now resonates like a personal sonnet – a declaration of gratitude and unspoken understanding between two rock icons.
And so, the strings fall silent, leaving echoes of a friendship immortalized in fleeting words.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! Online, Guitar World
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
