Black Sabbath bassist reflects on rehearsing with 'frail' Ozzy Osbourne for farewell show
Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler is sharing emotional reflections on the last time he ever saw his bandmate Ozzy Osbourne.
In an essay for The Sunday Times published on Sunday, July 27, Butler paid tribute to the rock icon and wrote about performing with him for the last time during Black Sabbath's farewell show on July 5. Weeks after the performance, Osbourne died on July 22 at age 76.
"Nobody knew he'd be gone from us little more than two weeks after the final show," Butler wrote. "But I am so grateful we got to play one last time together in front of his beloved fans. The love from the fans and all the bands, musicians, singers and solo artists that night was incredible. Everyone had come to pay homage to the Prince. I am so privileged to have spent most of my life with him."
Butler, who founded Black Sabbath with Osbourne in 1968, said rehearsals for the farewell show started about a month prior, and he was taken aback when he saw Osbourne struggling with health issues.
"I knew he wasn't in good health, but I wasn't prepared to see how frail he was," he wrote. "He was helped into the rehearsal room by two helpers and a nurse and was using a cane — being Ozzy, the cane was black and studded with gold and precious stones. He didn't really say much beyond the usual greetings and when he sang, he sat in a chair."
Butler said Osbourne seemed exhausted after they played six or seven songs during rehearsal, and although they "had a bit of a chat," he "was really quiet compared with the Ozzy of old."
The musician shared that he wishes he "had more time backstage with Ozzy" at their final show.
"I didn't realize then that I would never see Ozzy again after that night," he wrote.
Butler also remembered his former bandmate as a "born entertainer" who "had a heart of pure gold."
Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi previously paid tribute to Osbourne on Instagram, writing that "there won't ever be another like him." Drummer Bill Ward also wrote in his own tribute, "Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls, no, you’re forever in my heart."