Black Sabbath bandmates pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne a year after his death

Ozzy Osbourne’s Black Sabbath bandmates have paid tribute to the singer on the one year anniversary of his death.

The artist passed away at the age of 76 on July 22 of last year, surrounded by family, following a bout of health issues.

Just 17 days before his passing, he performed at Black Sabbath’s “Back to the Beginning” concert, including a solo set, at Villa Park in Birmingham.

“Every day, there is persistent silence, we miss you so much. Respectfully, with love to the Osbourne Family, Bill and Jackie Ward Family,” wrote drummer Bill Ward on X.

Bassist, Geezer Butler also paid tribute. “One year ago today – hard to believe,” he wrote on Instagram. “I am so glad we were able to do the final show, back in our hometown, just a couple of weeks before Ozzy left us. Gone in body, but his legend lives on. Such incredible memories. Ozzy forever!”

Guitarist Tony Iommi, also took to Instagram, writing, “Hi everyone. Well, it’s now a year since Ozzy’s passing and I still can’t believe that he’s not with us. I watch him on YouTube and it feels like he’s still here with us,” he continued. “We always stayed in touch, almost every week or so and we’d usually talk about our ailments and then about what we’d been doing that particular week ... There will never be another Ozzy. I miss you my dear friend.”

Osbourne founded Black Sabbath in 1968 alongside Iommi, Ward and Butler. Their self-titled debut was released in 1970 and followed up by Paranoid that same year, which topped the UK album charts.

With two inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, three Grammy awards and the 2026 BRIT Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, Osbourne’s career remains legendary

“One thing I can say to your readers is never let go of your dreams," said Osbourne during a 2002 interview with Hot Press’ Barry Glendenning. "Never, ever let go of your fucking dreams. When I was a kid my big dreams were that my dad would win the pools and that we could get a car or a colour TV. But now, everything I have far exceeded anything I wanted as a kid, so I’m living proof that it’s very important never to let go of your dreams and never give up on them."