Music producer Andrew Watt recently shared his memories of Ozzy Osbourne, highlighting their close relationship and the shock of Osbourne's passing in July 2025. Watt, who produced two of Osbourne's recent albums, described the rock icon as "normal" the day before his death, making the news a significant surprise to those close to him. His reflections offer a personal glimpse into the final moments and lasting impact of the legendary musician.
Key Takeaways
- Andrew Watt described Ozzy Osbourne as "normal" the day before his July 2025 passing.
- Watt felt a deep, familial bond with Osbourne, calling the loss like losing a family member.
- Osbourne provided Watt with purpose and confidence in his music production career.
- Osbourne was highly intelligent and detail-oriented, especially regarding bass mixing in rock music.
- A final Black Sabbath concert, "Back to the Beginning," took place shortly before Osbourne's death.
Watt Recalls Osbourne's Demise and Impact
Andrew Watt, a Grammy-winning producer, worked closely with Ozzy Osbourne on his albums Ordinary Man (2020) and Patient Number 9 (2022). In a recent interview, Watt spoke about the unexpected nature of Osbourne's death. He mentioned that everything seemed routine just before the tragic news.
"Everything was normal [the day before], and the next day, the news was just a giant shock," Watt told a magazine. This sentiment underscores the suddenness of the loss for those in Osbourne's inner circle.
A Deep Personal Connection
Watt emphasized the profound connection he felt with Osbourne. He likened the loss to that of a family member, highlighting the depth of their bond. Osbourne had a unique way of seeing people, according to Watt.
"He saw me in a way that I did not see myself, and if you talk to anyone that loves him or was lucky enough to be loved by him, that’s a constant thing."
Watt explained that Osbourne could perceive both the good and bad in a person. He described Osbourne as having an almost "witchy" intuition, often knowing things before they happened.
Fact: Grammy Wins
Andrew Watt won a Grammy Award for Producer of the Year in 2021. He also received a Grammy for Best Rock Album for Ozzy Osbourne's Patient Number 9 in 2023.
During the creation of their albums, Osbourne was recovering from a home accident. Watt realized that music served a greater purpose than just creating songs for Osbourne. It provided him with a sense of purpose during his recovery.
"It was giving him a purpose when he didn’t feel well and making him feel great and laugh and sing and dance and heal," Watt stated. He credits these two albums as foundational to his own career, saying they are "the reason why I’m here talking to you today."
Osbourne's Influence on Watt's Career
Watt believes that working with Ozzy Osbourne fundamentally changed his career trajectory. Osbourne recognized Watt's potential as a serious album producer, which was a turning point for the younger artist.
"He saw me as a serious album producer. Up until then, I wasn’t really making full albums," Watt explained. Osbourne's belief in him, allowing him to play guitar on his albums, was an "unbelievable" opportunity.
Their relationship extended beyond professional collaboration. They were close friends. Watt particularly misses Osbourne's humor. "He’s the funniest person ever of all time," Watt remarked, reflecting on their shared laughter.
Mixing Insights from a Legend
Ozzy Osbourne also imparted valuable knowledge about music mixing to Watt. Osbourne helped Watt develop confidence and skill in mixing rock music, guiding him through the entire process.
Watt highlighted Osbourne's extensive experience, noting that Osbourne began making music with Black Sabbath at a young age. Osbourne's career spanned 55 years, always operating at the highest level.
Background: Black Sabbath's Legacy
Black Sabbath, formed in 1968, is widely recognized as one of the pioneers of heavy metal music. Their early albums, including Black Sabbath and Paranoid (both 1970), defined a new sound in rock music. Ozzy Osbourne was the band's original lead vocalist.
Watt described Osbourne as incredibly brilliant and sharp. He was a history buff and possessed a literal genius for music. His public persona, according to Watt, did not fully capture his intelligence.
Osbourne's ears were highly reactive. Even when he appeared distracted, he would catch every detail. Watt recalled moments in the studio where Osbourne would be drawing, seemingly not listening, only to offer a precise and insightful comment.
Tip from Ozzy: Bass Importance
Ozzy Osbourne taught Andrew Watt that the bass is the most important element in a rock song. He would often ask Watt to identify the loudest instrument in Led Zeppelin tracks, then reveal it was the bass, not the drums.
Osbourne emphasized the importance of the bass in making a song heavy. He believed it acted as a bridge between the drums and guitars, providing rhythm and a strong foundation. Watt noted that their collaborative albums, such as "Under the Graveyard," feature a significant amount of low-end bass, reflecting Osbourne's meticulous involvement in every mixing detail.
The Final Concert: Back to the Beginning
Andrew Watt attended Black Sabbath's "Back to the Beginning" concert on July 5, 2025, which served as a final celebration for the band and Ozzy Osbourne. Watt described the event as an "unbelievable" experience that now feels like a dream.
The entire last month of Osbourne's life has a dream-like quality for Watt. He was in London working on a project when he traveled to Birmingham for the show. The event brought together many people from Osbourne's life.
A Gathering of Friends
The concert featured a large photo shoot with various musicians and friends. Guitarist Jake E. Lee, who had not seen Osbourne in 30 years, was present. Watt recalled a fun atmosphere, describing it as a "heavy metal summer camp."
He spent time with Sharon, Jack, and Kelly Osbourne. The night before the main show, Watt and Sharon Osbourne shared a curry in Birmingham, bringing some back for Ozzy. They spent several hours together in Osbourne's hotel room.
Recent Ozzy Osbourne News
In other news, Judas Priest released a cover of Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" featuring Ozzy Osbourne's vocals. Judas Priest could not attend the "Back to the Beginning" concert due to scheduling conflicts. However, they wanted to be involved in the historic moment.
After Judas Priest recorded their version, Sharon Osbourne requested if Ozzy could be included on the track. Both parties made it happen. Rob Halford, Judas Priest frontman, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to perform a duet with Osbourne, calling it a "really special place."
Profits from this version of "War Pigs" by Sony Music Entertainment U.K. and Epic Records in the U.K. will be donated to the Glenn Tipton Parkinson's Foundation and Cure Parkinson's. This initiative highlights the ongoing support for Parkinson's research.
Additionally, Yungblud, who also performed at the "Back to the Beginning" concert, discussed the event in a recent interview. The BBC delayed the release of the documentary Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home to October. A trailer for another documentary, Ozzy: No Escape From Now, was released earlier this month.