“The world was an incredible place with Ozzy Osbourne in it. And while it remains wonderful, it’s undeniable that it’s not the same without his vibrant presence.”

Henry Rollins has consistently championed the music of Black Sabbath, and on Tuesday, July 29, he joined Loudwire Nights to continue sharing the profound impact of Ozzy Osbourne‘s life and legacy with fans and listeners alike.

Catch the complete conversation, filled with insightful anecdotes about how Black Sabbath influenced Rollins’ journey into Black Flag, his experiences watching the band’s rehearsals for their reunion shows in the late ’90s, the fascinating story behind the creation of “Paranoid,” and much more — available on Loudwire Nights On Demand via Apple and Spotify.

“Ozzy is one of those extraordinary individuals who is deeply loved by countless fans who may never have had the opportunity to meet him in person, yet feel connected to him through his iconic records, electrifying shows, and the heartfelt messages he shared from the stage,” Rollins expressed.

“What you see is what you get. It’s evident from the interviews that the persona on stage is the genuine person offstage. That authenticity is what makes us adore him; he was undeniably real. He was a magnificent showman, yet he never pretended to be someone he wasn’t.”

As Rollins reflected on the loss of Ozzy Osbourne with the Loudwire Nights audience, he also took time to highlight the immense influence of Black Sabbath‘s music.

“If you want to have a serious discussion about heavy metal music, go ahead and talk,” he stated confidently.

“You must mention Black Sabbath, or someone will surely pull you aside and say, ‘Excuse me, you forgot to mention Black Sabbath.’ They essentially initiated a genre that has shaped music festivals like Wacken, influenced entire radio stations, record collections, and bands as colossal as Metallica.

Memorable Moments: When Henry Rollins Opened for Ozzy Osbourne

In 1996, Rollins received an exciting call from his manager inquiring whether he and his band would be interested in flying from New York to Florida to perform a series of shows alongside Ozzy Osbourne on the Retirement Sucks tour.

Rollins recalled responding so quickly that he almost sprained his jaw from the excitement.

“We performed our set, and the audience in Florida tolerated us,” Rollins said, grinning. “They were there for Ozzy, and for some inexplicable reason, Type O Negative opened for us — it should have been the other way around. We both opened, and thankfully, no one harmed us.”

He described the moment after Rollins Band‘s set when he hurried to the stage to catch Ozzy‘s performance.

“I stood off to the side of the stage, audience on my left, just soaking in the moment with Ozzy,” Rollins reminisced.

“I had just met him and wasn’t going to disturb him before his show; I simply lingered nearby to witness the legend in action.”

As he observed, Rollins was unaware that he was about to encounter Ozzy‘s unexpectedly humble demeanor.

“He turned to me and asked, ‘Hey, is there anybody out there, man?’ I thought, ‘What a bizarre question!’ Considering the venue holds 22,075 people, I replied, ‘Yes, sir, you sold it out!'”

Ozzy Osbourne confided in Rollins that he still felt nervous before performances and was always anxious that no one would show up.

“To me, that reflects incredible humility — and he was being genuine,” Rollins remarked.

“Then Sharon Osbourne came out and said, ‘Go,’ and he dashed onto the stage. The sound from the crowd was like the Earth splitting apart; the venue erupted with overwhelming approval from the audience.”

Honoring the Music: Carrying Forward Ozzy’s Incredible Legacy

When Rollins appeared on Loudwire Nights, Ozzy Osbourne‘s passing was still fresh, having occurred just a week prior. Although Rollins shared numerous stories and cherished memories, his main focus was to celebrate the enduring legacy of the rock and roll icon.

“I’ve had a few days to reflect on it, and it’s just one of those unavoidable realities of life,” he shared thoughtfully.

“But thankfully, we’ve got the music. At least we can hold onto that.”

Rollins admitted to Chuck that while he doesn’t usually cry easily, Ozzy‘s death profoundly affected him.

“I miss that guy,” he said, his voice filled with emotion.

“I had the pleasure of meeting him several times, and he was consistently hilarious, friendly, and self-deprecating. He was everything you could hope for.”

READ MORE: Billy Corgan Reflects on Ozzy’s Death, Celebrates His Iconic Life

Regarding moving forward, Rollins imparted a clear message to listeners: continue to celebrate.

“Make sure you’re at least 50 percent in celebration mode, because there are still records to enjoy, and they hold up just as brilliantly as ever,” he encouraged.

“The music persists in the present tense.”

Don’t Miss the Full Conversation Available on Loudwire Nights On Demand

Henry Rollins appeared on Loudwire Nights on Tuesday, July 29; the show is replayed online here, and you can catch it live every weeknight at 7 PM ET or via the Loudwire app. Additionally, check if the show is accessible on your local radio station and listen to interviews on-demand.