Few bonds in rock music rivaled the brotherhood between Ozzy Osbourne and his longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde.

After the Prince of Darkness’s loss of life on July 22 at age 76, Wylde has now opened up about their final dialog, sharing an emotional textual content message that provides each closure and a gut-punch reminder of Ozzy’s enduring legacy.

Talking to Guitar World, Wylde recalled the final time he heard from Ozzy Osbourne following Black Sabbath’s last efficiency at England’s Villa Park on July 5.

“The final textual content I acquired from Oz was saying, ‘Zakky, sorry, it was like a madhouse again there. I didn’t see you.’ He goes, ‘Thanks for every little thing.’ It was simply us speaking, saying, ‘I really like you, buddy.’ That was it,” Wylde revealed.

Though the backstage was chaotic, Wylde thought he would get one other likelihood to attach. Nonetheless, that chance by no means got here.

“Everyone and their mom have been within the backstage dressing room, and I simply needed to offer him a break,” he defined. “I figured I’d see him afterward, however that didn’t occur.”

Wylde described the present as “enterprise as traditional,” however emphasised the main focus was at all times “ensuring that Oz was okay.”

He added, “It was positively fairly wonderful. Seeing Oz onstage when Sabbath acquired accomplished, that’s the final time I noticed him.”

For Wylde, his reference to Ozzy Osbourne was by no means simply skilled; it was household.

“Ozzy is the godfather of our oldest son,” he shared. “Whether or not I used to be taking part in with him or not, if Sharon referred to as me and my spouse up and mentioned, ‘Guys, are you able to watch the home whereas we’re away on a enterprise journey?’ I’d do it. It’s like, ‘In the event you want me to deliver milk and eggs over, I’ll do it.’”

That deep private loyalty outlined their decades-long friendship, even throughout the years when Wylde wasn’t a part of the band.

Wylde first joined Black Sabbath in 1987 and remained one in every of Ozzy’s closest collaborators, working with him all through the ’90s and early 2000s.

He returned for the No Extra Excursions II run, which started in 2018, and was by Ozzy’s facet throughout his Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame induction in 2024.

Reflecting on these moments, Wylde expressed gratitude for being a part of the experience and for witnessing Ozzy’s highly effective presence till the very finish.

Sharon Osbourne was visibly emotional as she joined hundreds of followers paying tribute to her late husband in Birmingham metropolis centre.

The 72-year-old matriarch, supported by her kids Kelly, Jack, Aimee, and Louis from Ozzy’s first marriage, made the troublesome stroll to the rising memorial of flowers, playing cards, and candles honoring the rock legend.

In line with the Every day Mail, Sharon appeared frail and stumbled barely as she stepped from the van, clutching a bouquet wrapped in black and a tissue in her hand.

Jack shortly rushed to regular her whereas Kelly held her hand, guiding her towards the ocean of tributes. Followers lining the road shouted, “We love you,” as she struggled by her grief.

Overcome with emotion, Sharon laid her flowers among the many hundreds already positioned in reminiscence of the Black Sabbath frontman. Her kids adopted carefully behind, including their very own heartfelt tributes earlier than surrounding their mom as soon as extra.

After laying their choices, the Osbournes quietly returned to the automobile, abandoning a transferring reminder of tolerating love and loss.

Tributes lined the “Black Sabbath Bridge” on Broad Road, the place flowers and heartfelt messages have been positioned in his honor.

The cortege paused on the web site, permitting the Osbourne household to acknowledge the assist of grieving followers.

Main the procession was a Jaguar hearse carrying Ozzy on his last journey, adorned with a hanging floral show in purple, his favourite shade, that merely spelled “OZZY.”