Coldplay gives Ozzy Osbourne an emotional tribute at Nashville concert
Coldplay is honoring a heavy metal titan with his own lyrics.
During the Nashville stop of the group's latest world tour, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin interrupted the band's usual set list to pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, the rock legend who died Tuesday, July 22, at 76.
The band, whose tour has found itself at the center of a much-discussed viral controversy, then launched into a cover of Black Sabbath's 1972 ballad "Changes." Osbourne was the group's longtime vocalist.
"We'd like to dedicate this whole show to the incredible genius, talent and character-full gift to the world who was Ozzy Osbourne," Martin, 48, told the crowd. "We send our love to his family."
Martin then treated audience members to a rendition of "Changes" that stripped down the song from its usual high-octane sound to match Coldplay's more acoustic tendencies. The track, off of Black Sabbath's 1972 album "Vol. 4," was reportedly inspired by the end of guitarist Bill Ward's first marriage.
Osbourne, alongside his famous daughter Kelly, released a duet of the track in 2003, rewritten to match their own story. The sentimental father-daughter remake served as a microcosm for the rocker's contradictions: a harsh, heavy metal shredder onstage, and a family man behind the scenes.
"I feel unhappy, I feel so sad\I've lost the best friend that I ever had," Martin crooned, stopping short of covering the full song, repurposing the lyrics to be a quasi-mourner's tune.
"Ozzy, we love you, wherever you’re going," he added at the end, before beginning the band's usual set.
Osbourne's death was announced by his family who said the rocker had died in his native Birmingham, England, "surrounded by love," on the morning of July 22.
"It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy has passed away this morning," the statement read. "He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time."
He leaves behind Sharon Osbourne, his wife of more than 40 years, as well as daughters Jessica, Aimee and Kelly and sons Elliot, Louis and Jack.
Tributes from other stars poured in immediately after the news of Osbourne's death was reported. Elton John called Osbourne "a true legend," and former Black Sabbath band mate Tony Iommi lamented the "heartbreaking news."