Sharon Osbourne appears to have granted her husband Ozzy’s ‘last request’ before his death.
Yesterday’s (22 July) news caused ripples across the music industry as it was revealed that heavy metal’s ‘Prince of Darkness’ had died at the age of 76, after a struggle with the degenerative neurological ailment Parkinson’s disease.
“It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning,” a statement published on behalf of the Osbourne family said.
“He was with his family, surrounded by affection. We ask that everyone respect our family’s privacy during this time.
His death comes just two weeks after Black Sabbath performed their farewell gig, Back to the Beginning, in Birmingham’s Villa Park, near where the band was formed in 1968.
Sharon appears to have fulfilled her husband’s long-held ambition by returning to the United Kingdom.
Born in Birmingham in 1948, Ozzy and Sharon have made no secret of their desire to return to the UK after decades in the United States, with the music manager confirming the couple’s decision to make their Buckinghamshire house a permanent retirement base.
“He’s very happy to be coming back and very emotional about this,” Sharon remarked in an interview with The Sun regarding the farewell show in February.
“Parkinson’s disease is progressing. It’s not something you can control. It affects numerous portions of the body, including his legs,” she explained.
“But his voice is as good as it’s ever been.”
According to a BBC report on the rocker’s death, it has been verified that the ‘Paranoid’ singer died in his home nation, fulfilling his dying request.
Sharon told Music Business Worldwide that Villa Park was the ‘only spot’ for Black Sabbath’s final goodbye.
“The only place that we could do it would have been Aston, because that’s where Ozzy was born and grew up, which is right where the Villa ground is,” she told me.
“It became a festival of music. Sabbath and Ozzy’s legacy will be passed on to future generations.”
Back to the Beginning, which featured performances by Metallica, Pantera, Slayer, and Alice in Chains, raised $190 million (£140 million) for charity.
Survivors of Black Sabbath, Elton John, Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, and Yungblud have all paid tribute, with the last calling Osbourne the ‘best of all time.’