'There won’t ever be another like him': Tributes pour in to Ozzy Osbourne as star dies two weeks after final show

Osbourne, known lovingly as The Prince of Darkness, had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019.

In a statement, his family said: "It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning.

"He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.

Read more: Ozzy Osbourne - former Black Sabbath frontman and the 'Prince of Darkness' - dies aged 76

Black Sabbath, Osbourne's iconic metal band, shared a simple tribute, writing "Ozzy Forever" alongside a picture of their frontman at his final gig in Birmingham.

Black Sabbath bassist Terence “Geezer” Butler has said he is “so glad” the band reunited with Ozzy Osbourne one final time, just weeks before the singer’s death at the age of 76.

In a post on Instagram, Butler paid tribute to his long-time bandmate and friend, reflecting on their final performance together during a farewell concert at Birmingham’s Villa Park earlier this month.

“Thanks for all those years- we had some great fun. 4 kids from Aston- who’d have thought, eh?” he captioned an Instagram post.

“So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.”

The emotional tribute came as bandmates Bill Ward and Tony Iommi also expressed their grief.Iommi, the band’s guitarist, said he was “devastated” by the news.

“It’s just such heartbreaking news that I can’t really find the words, there won’t ever be another like him,” he wrote on Instagram.

“Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother.”

Ward, Black Sabbath’s drummer, posted a photo of himself and Osbourne on X, writing: “Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls… no, you’re forever in my heart.”

Metallica, who played at Osbourne's final show before his death, simply shared a heartbreak emoji at the tragic news.

Sir Elton John said that Ozzy Osbourne was a “huge trailblazer” who “secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods”.

Sir Elton posted on Instagram: “So sad to hear the news of Ozzy Osbourne passing away.

“He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods – a true legend.

“He was also one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love. Elton xx.”

Actor Jason Momoa, who has long voiced his love of metal music, shared a snap of him, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, adding: "All my aloha @sharonosbourne and ohana. So grateful. RIP."

Ronnie Wood said he is "very sad" to learn of Ozzy Osbourne's death.

The Rolling Stone posted on X: "I am so very sad to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne.

"What a lovely goodbye concert he had at Back To The Beginning in Birmingham."

Rocker Jon Bon Jovi sent well wishes to Sharon Osbourne in the wake of her husband death.

“Much luv to Sharon and the beautiful Osbourne Family,” he captioned pictures of himself with Ozzy Osbourne on X.

“So sorry to hear of your loss. Rest easy Ozzy.”

Foo Fighters have paid tribute in a post on Instagram, the band wrote: “Rock and Roll would not be as loud or as fun without you. You will be forever missed.”

Kiss bassist Gene Simmons said “fans are grieving” and people were “devastated” in the wake of Ozzy Osbourne’s death.

“People think of him as the Prince of Darkness on stage, of course, this huge persona,” he said in an interview with NBC News.

“At the same time, a loving father and a dedicated husband. You can say whatever you want about Ozzy, but there never was an Ozzy before Ozzy.”

Alice Cooper has remembered Ozzy Osbourne as "an unmatched showman and cultural icon".

A post on Instagram said the band found out about Osbourne's death aged 76 "just minutes before going on stage in Cardiff, Wales", and Tuesday night's show was dedicated to the late Black Sabbath star.

Lead singer Cooper, whose real name is Vincent Furnier, said: "The whole world is mourning Ozzy tonight. Over his long career, he earned immense respect among his peers and from fans around the world as an unmatched showman and cultural icon.

"I always saw Ozzy as a cross between the prince of darkness, which is the persona his fans saw, and the court jester. That was the side that his family and friends saw.

"He was and will continue to be a rock n roll legend. Rock n Roll is a family and a fraternity. When we lose one of our own it bleeds. I wish I would have gotten to know my brother Ozzy better.

"Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and the rest of the Ozzy brood - our prayers are with you tonight. A titanic boulder has crashed, but rock will roll on."

"Rest easy Ozzy and we'll see you on the other side! - Alice, Sheryl, Chuck, Ryan, Tommy, Nita, Glen and our entire crew."

Queen guitarist Sir Brian May said on social media: "So sad to hear of Ozzie's passing. His last appearance at Villa Park was a glorious way to say goodbye - the love in that place for him was gigantic.

"I'm grateful I was able to have a few quiet words with him after the show. And happy to know he passed peacefully with his loving family close by.

"But the world will miss Ozzie's unique presence and fearless talent. My heartfelt consolations to Sharon and their great family.

"And to Bill (Ward) and Geezer (Butler) and my dear friend Tony (Iommi) - for this is family - I know only too well. REST IN PEACE dear Ozzie. Bri."

YungBlud, who performed a stunning rendition of Changes at Osbourne's last show, said: "I didn’t think you would leave so soon the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room.

"But as it is written with legends, they seem to know things that we don’t. I will never forget you - you will be in every single note I sing and with me every single time I walk on stage.

"Your cross around my neck is the most precious thing I own. You asked me once if there was anything you could do for me and as I said then and as I will say now for all of us the music was enough.

"You took us on your adventure - an adventure that started it all. I am truly heartbroken. You were the greatest of all time."

One fan wrote: “RIP to the one and only Ozzy Osbourne. There will never be another like him.”

While another added: “Rest in peace Ozzy Osbourne. Greatest to ever do it.”

UB40's Ali Campbell added: "You didn’t just shape a culture, you defined it. You led from the front and never looked back.

"My thoughts are with Sharon and the entire Osbourne family during this time."

"Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis."

Social media has been flooded with tributes to the rock and roll icon following the news of his passing.

Justice Secretary and MP for Birmingham Ladywood, Shabana Mahmood, wrote: "An honour to have celebrated the extraordinary life and legacy of Ozzy Osbourne just weeks ago.

Devastated to hear the news of his death today. One of the greatest gifts my city gave the world.

"My thoughts are with his family. In Ozzy’s own words: Birmingham forever."

Caroline Rassell, Chief Executive of Parkinson’s UK, said: “News of Ozzy Osbourne’s death, so soon after his celebratory homecoming show, will come as a shock to so many. By speaking openly about both his diagnosis and life with Parkinson’s, Ozzy and all his family helped so many families in the same situation. They normalised tough conversations and made others feel less alone with a condition that's on the rise and affecting more people every day.

“All of our heartfelt thoughts are with his family, friends and fans worldwide. His memory and the impact he left on the world will live on in all of them.”

Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3 1948 in Aston, Birmingham, he left school at 15 and did odd jobs including factory work before teaming up with school friend Geezer Butler in several bands.

The pair then linked up with the other founder members of Black Sabbath, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward, to form what was then called Earth Blues Company - later shortened to Earth - in 1968.

Initially a Mod who loved soul music, according to his biography on the band's official website, Osbourne crafted his darker image after writing lyrics for a song entitled Black Sabbath after the 1963 Boris Karloff film of the same name.

The name stuck - after they were forced to change it from Earth - and the band went on to sell millions of records over the next decade on the back of sound-defining tracks including Paranoid and War Pigs.

A product of their working-class roots and the post-Vietnam War era, the band tackled themes of war, social chaos and the supernatural.

He rose to further fame alongside his wife Sharon – whom he married in 1982 and with whom he has three children, Aimee, Jack and Kelly – through their reality TV series The Osbournes.

In 2020, Osbourne revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and he paused touring in 2023 after extensive spinal surgery.

He had a fall at home in 2019 which aggravated injuries from a near-fatal quad bike crash in 2003, stopping his No More Tours 2 shows from going ahead in Europe and the UK.

The tour had previously been rescheduled several times because of illness, the Covid-19 pandemic and logistical issues.

He released his twelfth studio album Ordinary Man in 2020, followed by Patient Number 9 in 2022, which went to number three and two in the UK charts respectively.