Geezer Butler Pays Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, Recalls Final Gig: ‘He Was Always a Born Entertainer’… read more…
In a deeply heartfelt tribute that stirred emotions among heavy metal fans worldwide, Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler has opened up about his final performance with longtime bandmate Ozzy Osbourne, reflecting on decades of music, mayhem, and an unshakable bond forged through sound and struggle.
The 74-year-old rocker shared his thoughts in a candid interview this week, revisiting what would become a defining moment not just for him, but for the millions who grew up with Black Sabbath’s thunderous legacy. Butler’s emotional recollection highlighted the significance of the last time he and Osbourne shared a stage—an evening filled with nostalgia, pride, and the unspoken knowledge that a legendary chapter was coming to a close.
“We didn’t know it would be the last time,” Butler admitted. “But looking back, I could see it in his eyes—Ozzy gave it everything. He always did. That night, though, it was different. There was something final about it.”
The performance in question took place in 2017, during Black Sabbath’s final concert in their hometown of Birmingham, England—a full-circle moment for the pioneers of heavy metal. The “The End” tour wrapped up an unparalleled career that began in 1968 and helped define a genre with iconic albums like Paranoid, Master of Reality, and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.
Butler, who has long been the lyrical architect of the band’s dystopian and philosophical themes, said he couldn’t hold back the emotion as he watched Osbourne command the stage one last time.
“Ozzy was never just a singer. He’s a born entertainer. That night in Birmingham, he looked fragile, but when he got behind the mic, it was like he was 25 again. The crowd gave him energy. He was feeding off it, and giving it back in spades,” Butler recalled.
Ozzy Osbourne, known as the “Prince of Darkness,” has faced a barrage of health challenges in recent years—from Parkinson’s disease to a debilitating spinal injury—that have largely kept him offstage. Despite these setbacks, Osbourne has remained a cultural fixture, inspiring generations of artists and fans with his resilience, wit, and theatrical presence.
Butler emphasized that despite Ozzy’s personal battles, the frontman never let his spirit wane. “Even in rehearsals, when he was in pain, he never complained. He’d crack jokes, make us laugh, and then suddenly belt out ‘War Pigs’ like it was 1970. That’s who he is.”
Beyond the music, Butler spoke to the complicated yet enduring friendship between the two. While Black Sabbath’s history is dotted with internal friction, reunions, and personal struggles—including Osbourne’s infamous firing from the band in 1979—the connection between Butler and Osbourne has remained surprisingly strong.
“We’ve had our ups and downs, of course,” Butler said with a smile. “But through it all, there was always love and respect. Ozzy has a massive heart. Behind the crazy image, the bat story, the chaos—there’s a man who truly cares about people. He cared about the band. He cared about the fans.”
In recent years, Butler has also been vocal about the importance of legacy and reconciliation. After the passing of drummer Bill Ward’s wife in 2021 and guitarist Tony Iommi’s ongoing health concerns, Butler said he’s become increasingly reflective about time, forgiveness, and what really matters.
“It’s weird, isn’t it? You spend your youth wanting to escape your town, make music, change the world—and then you’re older, looking back, realizing that the best moments weren’t always the biggest gigs. Sometimes, it was just the four of us in a sweaty studio, laughing, arguing, creating something we didn’t even understand yet.”
That ethos was fully present at the Birmingham farewell show. With tears in his eyes, Butler said the gravity of the moment hit him after the final notes of “Paranoid,” as Osbourne threw his arms around his bandmates and waved goodbye to a crowd that had grown up with them.
“I remember Ozzy turning to us and saying, ‘That’s it, boys.’ Just like that. And we hugged. It wasn’t dramatic. Just real. We knew it was over.”
Though no longer touring, Osbourne has expressed hope to perform one final gig if his health permits—perhaps at the Power Trip festival or a surprise appearance in Los Angeles. Butler says if that day comes, he’ll be in the wings, ready.
“I’ll be there no matter what,” he affirmed. “Even if I’m not onstage, I’ll be side-stage, cheering him on. That man gave everything to the music. He deserves a send-off worthy of his name.”
As for whether another Black Sabbath reunion could ever happen in any form, Butler remains cautious but open-hearted.
“Never say never,” he said. “But even if we never play again, I know we ended it the right way. Together. Where it all began.”
Fans around the world have responded to Butler’s tribute with an outpouring of gratitude and nostalgia, flooding social media with old concert footage, fan art, and personal stories of how Black Sabbath shaped their lives.
For now, Butler is focusing on his solo memoir Into the Void, released in 2023, and continuing to advocate for mental health awareness—something he says he and Osbourne both hold close.
“We’ve both had our demons,” he said. “But we came out the other side. And we’re still here. That’s something to celebrate.”
In a world that often forgets its legends too soon, Geezer Butler’s tribute serves as a powerful reminder: Ozzy Osbourne wasn’t just a rock star—he w
as, and always will be, a born entertainer.
