Guitarist Zakk Wylde, a musical partner to Ozzy Osbourne for nearly four decades, has shared his perspective on the rock icon's final concert. The performance, held on July 5 in Birmingham, England, was not seen as a final goodbye by Wylde, who believed Osbourne would continue to overcome his health challenges.
Osbourne passed away weeks after the show at the age of 76. His death certificate cited a heart attack, with coronary artery disease and Parkinson's disease as contributing factors. In a recent interview, Wylde reflected on the powerful will of his longtime friend and the plans they were still making.
Key Takeaways
- Zakk Wylde did not view Ozzy Osbourne's final concert on July 5 as a definitive end, remaining hopeful for future performances.
- Osbourne had recently texted Wylde about plans to record a new album, inspired by the sound of their 1990s work.
- Before his death, Osbourne completed several projects, including his final show, a posthumously released book, and a BBC documentary.
- Wylde continues to honor Osbourne's legacy through his tribute band, Zakk Sabbath, and other musical projects.
A Performance Filled with Hope, Not Finality
For Zakk Wylde, stepping onto the stage in Birmingham for the “Back to the Beginning” concert was just another night with his boss and friend. The 58-year-old guitarist, who first joined Osbourne's band in 1987, did not feel a sense of finality during the show.
"Whatever things that we’ve run into, any obstacles or whatever, it’s always just a speed bump and we’ll get through it," Wylde stated, explaining his mindset at the time. He held onto the belief that Osbourne's resilience would prevail, possibly allowing for annual shows or even new recordings.
"I wasn’t thinking, ‘Oh, this is the last time I’m going to see Oz.’ I just figured we’ll do the gig, and then who knows? You always stay positive on all this stuff."
This perspective meant that classic songs took on no extra weight that night. "I wasn’t thinking when we were doing the show that this was the last time I’m going to be doing ‘Mama, I’m Coming Home’ with the boss or this is the last time I’m going to play ‘Crazy Train’ with him," Wylde explained. "I was just going, ‘Let’s do this and let’s have a good time,’ like always.”
The Album That Was Still to Come
The hope for more creative work wasn't just wishful thinking. According to Wylde, Osbourne was actively planning their next musical project. The legendary frontman had been in contact with ideas for a new album, looking to recapture a specific creative period.
"He was texting me, ‘Zakk, let’s do another record,'" Wylde recalled. Osbourne wanted to return to the style they explored on the 'No More Tears' album, a sound Wylde described as influenced by The Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
A Return to Roots
Ozzy Osbourne expressed a desire for a new album that was "heavy but it’s more melodic, it’s not pummeling heavy," harkening back to a successful and creatively rich era from the early 1990s.
Wylde's response was simple and immediate. "So I said, ‘Alright Oz, whatever you want,'" he recounted, demonstrating their long-standing creative chemistry. This final album, however, would never be made.
A Flurry of Final Activity
Despite his declining health, Osbourne remained remarkably productive in his final months. The period surrounding his last concert was marked by the completion of several significant projects that would serve as his final statements.
Ozzy's Last Works
In his final days, Ozzy Osbourne not only performed his last concert but also saw the completion of two major legacy projects: a book and a documentary, solidifying his story for fans and future generations.
His book, “Last Rites,” was released posthumously on October 7. A BBC documentary titled “Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home” also aired on October 2, offering an intimate look at the rock legend's life. Wylde observed this final burst of creativity as Osbourne methodically closing the book on his career.
"We did the show, he ended up finishing his book, they did the documentary, and then he was like, ‘All right, I’m out of here,’” Wylde said. “He finished everything he had to do and then he was like, ‘All right, I’m done.’”
Carrying the Legacy Forward
With Osbourne gone, Wylde has taken on a role in preserving his musical legacy. He continues to perform the iconic music of Black Sabbath with his tribute band, Zakk Sabbath. The group is scheduled to play at Caesars Atlantic City on November 29 as part of its winter tour.
Wylde remains busy with his other musical commitments as well. His primary band, Black Label Society, is currently mixing a new album. Additionally, he is the guitarist for the reformed Pantera, which is set to tour Europe next summer in support of Metallica.
Lessons from a Legend
Reflecting on nearly four decades of collaboration, Wylde pointed to three key traits he learned from working alongside the Prince of Darkness.
"Do what you love, and Ozzy’s resilience, and obviously he had a whole lot of gall," Wylde shared. He concluded that these were essential qualities that defined Osbourne. "Those are just three awesome traits you could ask for in anybody, he had them all.”