Thank You, Ozzy! ❤️‍🩹

Written the morning of July 23rd, 2025

This morning I watched the first sunrise of my life without Ozzy Osbourne in the world. I am heartbroken. 💔

Ozzy passed away at 76 years old yesterday, July 22, 2025 - barely two weeks removed from his phenomenal final concert on July 5th in the neighborhood he grew up in.

This is definitely the hardest death of anyone famous that I've ever experienced. Anyone that has ever really known me knows how much Ozzy means to me. Ozzy has been one of my absolute favorite people on the planet (that I never met) for over 30 years now.

I learned to play guitar listening to and studying his solo music and of course the music he made with Black Sabbath. This is the music I have listened to more than anything else in my life by far.

I collected everything Ozzy and Black Sabbath ever released over the years and even dragged my CDs and discman with me on my various travels outside Canada in the years before streaming. No matter where I am, I'll have Ozzy's tunes playing. His music truly has been with me for ALL of my darkest times and also the best of times. There's not a day goes by that I don't listen to Ozzy's music.

I was lucky to see Ozzy perform live at Ozzfest back in 2001 alongside his fellow Black Sabbath original members, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward. I day I'll never forget.

July 5th, after many hours of tribute performances from some of the biggest bands and performers in the world, Ozzy performed his final show making his way through five of his solo era songs then four songs with his brothers in Black Sabbath. The show took place in Aston, Birmingham, UK at the Aston Villa Football Club stadium located just a mere 13 minute walk from Ozzy's childhood home.

Ozzy performed his final show in a chair due to his advanced Parkinson's and spinal issues. He was still Ozzy! He had the time of his life and sounded great. He even tried so hard to stand up several times. He was so happy to be there performing again after 7 years in front of 40,000 fans in attendance and close to 5 million more watching the stream. A day I'll never forget. Very emotional.

The concert was charity show that raised almost $200 Million - the most successful charity concert in history. The funds were split evenly between Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital and Acorn Children's Hospice. What a legacy!

It was hard watching the concert and saying goodbye to Ozzy as well as Black Sabbath as performers on stage. Many tears. Though no one thought just two weeks later Ozzy would be gone from the world. He got to be a part of his own tribute concert before he left us while so many artists (who even get one) get tribute shows after they have already passed away.

Anyway, sorry for the long read. This is tough. I never met Ozzy but I feel like I lost a close friend. I've been still processing the final concert and now Ozzy is gone.

My thoughts and heart go out to Ozzy's wife and manager Sharon, Ozzy's children, grandchildren, siblings and all of his extended family and friends during this time. ❤️‍🩹

Ozzy's legacy and music will last forever!

Here are some of my favorite images of Ozzy and from the final concert to remember.

R.I.P. Ozzy! Thank you for everything! I will be listening and remembering for the rest of my days. ❤️‍🩹💜🖤💜🦇🕊️