Among the many tributes pouring in for Ozzy Osbourne upon news of the metal legend’s death on Tuesday morning (July 22nd), his longtime Black Sabbath bandmate Tony Iommi has declared “there won’t ever be another like him.”
Iommi founded Sabbath in 1968 with Ozzy, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. They came to be known as the “godfathers of heavy metal” for pretty much inventing the genre.
“I just can’t believe it,” the guitarist wrote on his X/Twitter account. “My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park. It’s just such heartbreaking news that I can’t really find the words, there won’t ever be another like him. Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother. My thoughts go out to Sharon and all the Osbourne family. Rest in peace Oz. Tony.”
It was only 17 days ago that Ozzy and Sabbath gave their final performances at the historic “Back to the Beginning” concert at Villa Park in their hometown of Birmingham, England. The all-day lineup also included sets from Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Slayer, Pantera, and more.
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See Tony Iommi’s tribute to Ozzy Osbourne below.
I just can’t believe it! My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park.
It’s just such heartbreaking news that I can’t really find the words, there won’t ever be another like him. Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother.
My thoughts go… pic.twitter.com/tW9OMhvL47— Tony Iommi (@tonyiommi) July 22, 2025
