Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward delivered an emotional tribute to his late bandmate Ozzy Osbourne. He reflected on the profound loss as the anniversary of the rock legend’s passing approaches. Speaking during an appearance on LA Radio Sessions, Ward opened up about the difficulty of maintaining composure while honoring his dear friend and former brother-in-arms.
“Ozzy forever. That’s what I wanted to say today,” Ward began, his voice heavy with emotion. “He is dearly missed. We’re in the month now, the anniversary of his passing, and I wanna say his music was just brilliant. Whatever he’s participated in musically, it’s all been brilliant. His voice is eerie. It’s scary. It’s passionate. It can cross all boundaries. It’s timeless.”
Ward’s tribute underscored the deep personal connection he shared with Osbourne. This bond extended far beyond their professional collaboration. “I miss the hell out of him. He was one of my best friends. I’ll say just one of my best friends, ’cause my mum was another one of my best friends. My brother was another one of my best friends, but Ozzy was like a brother, and he was one of my best friends,” the drummer explained. His words revealed the familial bond that transcended the stage.
The emotional weight of the anniversary became evident as Ward discussed his internal struggle during the interview. “If we’d had done this show a few months ago, I’d have been crying my eyeballs out. I think I’m at a place now where I’ll cry after the show, but I’m doing my best to get through the show and not cry so that I can say good things about him. I never wanna let him down, ever. And I love him all the time. I love him every single day. I miss him every single day, and I loved him every day when he was alive, and I love him every day now.”
Osbourne passed away on July 22, 2025, just seventeen days after Black Sabbath’s historic final reunion concert, “Back to the Beginning.” The concert took place on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham, England. The farewell performance reunited the original lineup of the legendary heavy metal band for what would become Ozzy’s last live appearance with his founding bandmates. The event drew 45,000 attendees and millions more via livestream. It generated £140 million for charitable causes while serving as a poignant farewell before Osbourne’s unexpected death.
Ward’s reflections on that final performance reveal the significance of those last moments together. The drummer had expressed a deep desire to connect with Osbourne immediately after the show. He wanted to ensure his longtime friend was doing well. The concert represented a rare opportunity for reconciliation and closure. The band members had experienced periods of estrangement throughout their storied history. The reunion brought together Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, Tony Iommi on guitar, Geezer Butler on bass, and Ward on drums. These were the complete original 1968 lineup that had defined heavy metal for generations.
In the months following Osbourne’s death, Ward shared a poignant message reflecting on his enduring connection to his friend. This sentiment captured how their bond transcended the physical world and remained eternally present in Ward’s heart and memory. The drummer’s continued tributes demonstrate how deeply Osbourne’s absence is felt. His loss resonates not just with fans worldwide, but with those who knew him most intimately and shared decades of musical history with him.
