Tony Iommi expressed his heartfelt belief that Ozzy Osbourne held on to life just long enough to deliver his emotional farewell show. In a candid moment reflecting on their enduring friendship, he shared how Osbourne’s determination to perform was palpable even amidst his declining health.

The iconic lead vocalist of Black Sabbath passed away on July 22 at the age of 76, shortly after the band’s Back to the Beginning event held earlier that month. Osbourne had been battling serious health issues for several years, yet his passion for music remained undiminished until his last moments.

During an emotional interview with the UK’s ITV network, Iommi, clearly moved, conveyed his shock upon hearing about Osbourne’s passing. The unexpected loss left him grappling with disbelief and sorrow.

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“I only had a text from him the day before,” Iommi shared, reflecting on the surreal nature of his friend’s death. “It just seemed unreal – surreal. … In the night, I started thinking, ‘God, am I dreaming all this?’” His words captured the essence of shock that enveloped him as he processed the loss.

Iommi noted that during rehearsals, Osbourne had “not looked well,” leading Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler to speculate that their friend held on just to perform one last time. “I think he really just held out to do that show. … Me and Geezer were talking about it last night … we think he held out to do it. And just after that, he’s done it and said goodbye to the fans.

“I think he must have had something in his head that said, ‘Well, this is gonna be it, the last thing I’m ever gonna do.’ Whether he thought he was gonna die or what, I don’t know. But he really wanted to do it, and he was determined to do it.”

Watch Tony Iommi’s Emotional ITV Interview

Reflecting on the rehearsals for the final performance, Iommi mentioned, “We didn’t want him there every day … He just wouldn’t be able to stand it. So they’d bring him in and he’d sit down and sing a few songs, and then we’d talk about some rubbish – old times or whatever – have a laugh, and then he’d go.” This highlights the camaraderie and the bittersweet nature of their last moments together.

Unforgettable Last Message from Ozzy Osbourne to Tony Iommi

Iommi speculated that the performance might have been frustrating for Osbourne, who was forced to perform from a throne due to his health conditions. “He wanted to stand up – you could see he was trying to get up,” the guitarist remarked, showcasing the indomitable spirit of a performer who lived for the stage.

Post-show, the band members, including drummer Bill Ward, returned to their dressing rooms. “And then [Osbourne] came over; he came around before he was leaving on a wheelchair. They brought him in to say goodbye and have a little chat for a bit. And he seemed all right – he enjoyed it, and he said, ‘Oh, it went all right, didn’t it?’ I said, ‘Yeah, it did.’” This moment of connection illustrated the profound bond they shared, even in Osbourne’s final days.

Iommi revealed that Osbourne had texted him just hours before his death, expressing feelings of fatigue and a lack of energy. “He’s tired and he’s really got no energy,” Iommi recalled, adding, “And I thought, ‘Oh, dear … ’” This poignant message underscored the reality of Osbourne’s struggles as he faced his final moments.

Confirming that the show marked “the end of the band, and we’ll never do it again,” Iommi passionately stated: “It meant everything to him. This is what we built up for, for that big ending where he could see all the people, and we could all see all the people, and close it in that way.

“But we didn’t expect to close it so quick with Ozz. We didn’t expect him to go that quick, really. Well, we didn’t expect him to go. So it’s been a shock.” These heartfelt reflections capture the deep emotional impact of Osbourne’s passing on Iommi and the entire Black Sabbath family.