Zakk Wylde revealed his remaining textual content with Ozzy Osbourne.
The Prince of Darkness’ longtime guitarist shared the final phrases they ever exchanged simply weeks earlier than Osbourne’s dying on July 22 on the age of 76.
Wylde, 58, stated their emotional textual content dialog befell after Black Sabbath’s farewell live performance in Birmingham, England, on July 5, marking what turned the heavy metallic legend’s final efficiency of his lifetime.
Whereas the musician was there to observe Osbourne and his bandmates — Tony Iommi, Invoice Ward and Geezer Butler — carry out at Villa Park, he didn’t get to see the rocker backstage after the present as a result of it was so hectic.
“Everybody and their mother were in the backstage dressing room and I just wanted to give him a break,” the Black Label Society musician defined to Guitar World in an interview printed on Tuesday, July 29.
Wylde knew Osbourne was unwell however figured he’d see him within the coming days, though that by no means occurred. As an alternative, the 2 swapped loving textual content messages.
“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,” he revealed of their final communication.
The guitarist mirrored on the Black Sabbath live performance.
“It was definitely pretty amazing. Seeing Oz onstage when Sabbath got done, that’s the last time I saw him,” Wylde said.
Calling it “business as usual,” the musician stated his precedence was “making sure that Oz was okay.”
Wylde additionally spoke about his shut relationship with Osbourne, who was the godfather of his oldest baby.
“Oz was just the best,” he stated. “I have my father, who was a World War II veteran; and then Ozzy, who was almost like an older brother. There was almost a 20-year age gap between us. With our relationship, there was the fun drinking – but if I ever needed advice, I could talk to him.”
“I’m blessed and grateful, man. Anything other than that would be selfish,” Wylde famous of their friendship.
“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,” he added of Osbourne’s remaining live performance.
When the interviewer informed Wylde that his working relationship with the “Crazy Train” singer appeared “more familial” than any of Osbourne’s different guitarists, he agreed.
“Yeah, that’s how I’ve always looked at it. Ozzy is the godfather of our oldest son. 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 said.
He famous that their chemistry was immediate.
“It was – 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 shared.
The New Jersey native teamed up with the Black Sabbath frontman in 1987, changing Jake E. Lee after he exited the group.
“I was always like, ‘Guys, I worship Sabbath,” the musician remembered. “Anything I’m gonna write will have Lord Iommi as the base of the soup. It’s in my DNA.”
To Wylde, his bond with Osbourne was unmatched.
“It was definitely beyond just us playing in a band together and making music,” he stated elsewhere within the interview.
Wylde made a reputation for himself when he debuted his guitar expertise on Osbourne’s 1988 album, “No Rest for the Wicked.” He was additionally featured on the 2 data that adopted: “No More Tears” in 1991 and “Ozzmosis” in 1995.
Wylde was changed by former Lizzy Borden guitarist Joe Holmes after “Ozzmosis,” but it surely didn’t final lengthy.
He returned to Osbourne’s band in 2001 and continued weaving out and in of the “Mama, I’m Coming Home” singer’s orbit by way of the following a number of years till returning in 2017 for the “No More Tours II” tour.
Wylde was additionally a part of the all-star efficiency that paid tribute to Osbourne at his Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame induction in 2024, his second after being inducted with Black Sabbath in 2006.
Osbourne handed away along with his family members by his facet final week.
“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,” his household confirmed in an announcement to The Publish. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee, and Louis.”
On Wednesday, July 30, hundreds of followers lined the streets for the rocker’s funeral procession in his hometown of Birmingham, England.
His spouse of over 40 years, Sharon Osbourne, 72, and 4 of his six youngsters, together with Kelly, Aimee, Jack and Louis, the latter from his first marriage, have been additionally in attendance.
Osbourne’s household broke down and sobbed as they seen the tributes to Ozzy left by his followers.
Additionally they paid homage to their patriarch by sporting a number of objects belonging to the rock icon throughout the procession.
