Geezer Butler reflects on Ozzy Osbourne’s death and final show: “It was such a strange feeling to end our story like that”

bassist Geezer Butler has reflected on his friendship with the late Ozzy Osbourne and his final encounter with the rock icon at their band’s farewell show earlier this month.

Just weeks before Osbourne’s passing, on July 22nd, at the age of 76, the original line-up of Black Sabbath returned for one final concert for the first time in more than 20 years. The performance was part of a star-studded bill, titled Back to the Beginning, at Villa Park in Birmingham, which also included huge acts such as Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Tool.

Osbourne performed a short solo set before Black Sabbath took to the stage to bring the show to an end. In total, the benefit concert raised close to $200 million for Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorns Children’s Hospice.

In The Sunday Tiimes, Butler looked back on the concert and explained how it was difficult to see Osbourne severely struggling with his health. Notably, Osbourne was forced to perform from a throne due to his mobility issues, having been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. “I knew he wasn’t in good health, but I wasn’t prepared to see how frail he was,” Butler shared.

The bassist explained: “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.”

Rehearsals were also difficult for Osbourne, according to Butler, who shared, “He didn’t really say much beyond the usual greetings and when he sang, he sat in a chair. We ran through the songs but we could see it was exhausting him after six or seven songs. We had a bit of a chat, but he was really quiet compared with the Ozzy of old.”

Another issue arose at the end of the concert. Black Sabbath traditionally took a bow together on stage, yet they didn’t anticipate that they would be unable to do this due to Osbourne being on a throne. He revealed: “Ozzy was on his throne and we hadn’t thought that out. What do we do? Tony shook his hand, I presented him with a cake, but it was such a strange feeling to end our story like that.”

Butler then expressed regret that he could not spend “more time backstage with Ozzy” before conceding that “wishes are redundant now.” Nevertheless, Butler holds the memories from the show extremely dear, writing, “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.”

He emotionally concluded: “I am so privileged to have spent most of my life with him. Of course, there are millions of things I will think of that I should have written, but how can I sum up 57 incredible years of friendship in a few paragraphs? God bless, Oz, it has been one hell of a ride! Love you.”

In light of Osbourne’s passing, Billy Corgan mooted the idea of an aaannusal charity concert to be held in Osbourne’s memory, saying on a US radio show, “I almost think there should be an annual Ozzy concert where we just come together and do a charitable event.”

Many musical acts, including Coldplay, Alice Cooper, and Lady Gaga, paid unique tributes to Osbourne at their concerts on July 22nd, just hours after his death was announced. Oasis also dedicated ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Star’ to the Black Sabbath legend and unfurled an LED banner of him on-stage at Wembley Stadium while playing ‘Live Forever’.

No cause of death has been confirmed.