**Black Sabbath Bandmate Left Shocked by Ozzy Osbourne’s Struggles Before Final Performance**
The iconic Black Sabbath reunited for what would be their ultimate concert at Villa Park in Birmingham on 5 July, a bittersweet event that left bassist Geezer Butler deeply moved by the toll ill health had taken on their legendary frontman, Ozzy Osbourne. Reflecting on the run-up to that emotional night, Butler revealed he was unprepared for Osbourne’s marked physical decline, marking a sombre chapter for fans and bandmates alike.
According to Butler, preparations for the highly anticipated gig began a month prior, with sessions held in a secluded Oxfordshire studio. While Butler, guitarist Tony Iommi and drummer Bill Ward were able to fall back into rhythm – albeit a touch rusty after two decades apart – nothing could prepare them for the reality of Osbourne’s struggles with his health.
“When Ozzy arrived, it was immediately apparent he was not the same force of nature we’d known,” Butler confided in a detailed piece for The Sunday Times. The sight of Osbourne, aided by two helpers and a nurse as he leaned on a striking cane embellished with black and gold, drove home the seriousness of his condition.
Throughout the rehearsals, Osbourne reportedly kept conversation to a minimum, focusing his limited energy on the music. He sang from a chair, clearly exhausted after performing just a handful of tracks. This subdued presence stood in sharp contrast to the energetic and boisterous persona that had once defined him both on stage and off.
“He barely spoke and was much quieter than the Ozzy we used to know,” Butler explained, noting the emotional weight of witnessing his friend and bandmate appearing so diminished. The exhausting rehearsals left Osbourne visibly spent, often requiring breaks after only six or seven songs. For those who grew up with the vitality of Black Sabbath, these scenes were particularly poignant.
The gravity of the moment was magnified by what followed. Just two weeks after this final performance, Osbourne tragically died on 22 July. The news came as a devastating shock to Butler, who confessed in his writing that he had no inkling those recent rehearsals and their Birmingham performance would be the last moments the bandmates would ever share.
Regret hangs heavy in Butler’s words as he looks back. “I wish I’d spent more time backstage with Ozzy,” he reflected, recalling one of Osbourne’s own favourite sardonic sayings: “Wish in one hand and sh*t in the other and see which comes first.” The irony is not lost on Butler, who acknowledges that no amount of wishing can change what’s now set in stone.
Despite the sadness, Butler expressed a sense of gratitude for being able to stand alongside his friend and perform for Black Sabbath’s loyal audience one last time. He paid heartfelt tribute to Osbourne, thanking him for an extraordinary journey together that spanned decades and influenced generations of rock musicians and fans.
The final Black Sabbath concert served not only as a send-off for a band that helped define heavy metal but also as a deeply personal farewell between lifelong friends and collaborators. “God bless, Oz, it has been one hell of a ride. Love you!” Butler concluded in his article – a simple yet profound goodbye to a musical icon gone too soon.
Ozzy Osbourne’s passing marks the end of an era, with tributes pouring in from fellow musicians and fans worldwide. The legacy of Black Sabbath, however, remains indelible, their innovation and spirit enduring even as their founding member is laid to rest.
Black Sabbath’s influence on the world of music is immeasurable, having shaped the sound and culture of rock for over five decades. And while Ozzy Osbourne’s presence will be missed, his impact will continue to inspire countless artists and fans for years to come.