Zakk Wylde has opened up about his final moments with Ozzy Osbourne, reflecting on their decades-long friendship and the emotional final performance they shared earlier this month at Birmingham’s Villa Park.
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Speaking to Guitar World following Osbourne’s death on July 24, the guitarist recalled their last time onstage together during the Back to the Beginning charity concert, where Black Sabbath reunited for one final send-off.
Wylde described the night as “business as usual” in terms of playing Ozzy’s solo material, noting the songs are “ingrained in my head.” But more than delivering a perfect performance, his priority was “making sure that Oz was okay.”
“With ‘Mama, I’m Coming Home,’ when we got the acoustic out, I had to be like, ‘Keep the guitar away from the microphone so I can sing,’ because Oz’s voice was having trouble at certain notes,” Wylde said. “I was like, ‘I need to make sure I’m always there so I can double him.’”
The performance ended up being their last in-person moment. “Seeing Oz onstage when Sabbath got done, that’s the last time I saw him,” Wylde shared. “I’m blessed and grateful, man. Anything other than that would be selfish. And on top of it, to go out with what’s the biggest-grossing charity event of all? That’s unbelievable. He helped a whole lot of people instead of making a profit. My God, what an incredible master. What an incredible life.”
While he didn’t get to spend time with Osbourne backstage amid the crowd of visitors, Wylde received a heartfelt text from Ozzy after the show.
“Everybody and their mother were in the backstage dressing room and I just wanted to give him a break,” Wylde explained. “I figured we’d see him later on — the next day or whatever. But no. The last text I got from Oz was saying, ‘Zakky, sorry, it was like a madhouse back there. I didn’t see you.’ He goes, ‘Thanks for everything.’ It was just us talking, saying, ‘I love you, buddy.’ That was it.”
Wylde, who has long considered Osbourne family — Ozzy is godfather to his eldest son — added: “Whether I was playing with him or not, if Sharon called me and my wife up and said, ‘Guys, can you watch the house while we’re away on a business trip?’ I’d do it. It’s like, ‘If you need me to bring milk and eggs over, I’ll do it.’”
He continued, “With all your friends in your life, lions attract lions, you know? And the hyenas you hang out with, that sorts itself out later! But Ozzy was the easiest-going, warmest guy. He was so easy to get along with.”
Wylde is set to carry on Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s legacy through his band Zakk Sabbath, who are due to embark on a U.S. tour beginning Oct. 30. He’s also currently on the road with Pantera, whose tour was briefly paused following Osbourne’s death but will resume on Aug. 2.
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