Sharon Osbourne has shared a poignant 10-word message from Ozzy Osbourne following his final performance in Birmingham last month.
The Black Sabbath lead singer passed away in July at the age of 76 at his residence in the UK, having battled Parkinson’s disease in his later years.
Just 17 days before his passing, Ozzy performed with Black Sabbath in his native Birmingham during the ‘Back to the Beginning’ farewell concert.
Before a crowd of over 40,000 fans, Ozzy expressed his gratitude: “You’ve no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
The event raised an impressive $190 million for charity, with the proceeds being distributed among Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Cure Parkinson’s, and Acorns Children’s Hospice.
Speaking to Pollstar prior to Ozzy’s death, Sharon recounted an emotional moment when the ‘Prince of Darkness’ reflected on the sold-out show at Villa Park.
“He turned around and he said to me that night, he said, ‘I had no idea that so many people liked me’,” Sharon remembered. “Ozzy’s always been in his own bubble.”
Though Ozzy was taken aback by the warm reception at his farewell concert, the former X Factor judge was not.
Sharon commented: “Oh my God, the metal fans are the most loyal fans in the world! When they’re a fan, you’ve got them for life. They don’t go anywhere.
“It was a huge success, because it was a phenomenal event. It was the first time, I think, that anybody’s gone into retirement and done it, where the show is streamed and it goes to charity. So it’s the first time anybody has said goodnight like that, it’s the perfect way, when you’ve had such a long career, to end it.”
Earlier this week, it was confirmed Ozzy passed away as a result of a heart attack.
According to a death certificate submitted by Osbourne’s daughter, Aimée Rose Osbourne, a cardiac arrest was identified as the cause of death for the Black Sabbath singer. The document also noted coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease with autonomic dysfunction as ‘joint causes’.
The New York Times reported that the cardiac arrest occurred ‘out of hospital’.
Fans were able to bid farewell to the heavy metal icon during a procession through Birmingham on July 30, with supporters chanting ‘Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy’ as a hearse carrying his coffin moved along Broad Street.