Zakk Wylde has shared his reflections on Ozzy Osbourne’s “incredible life,” including the final text exchange with his longtime friend and musical partner.
Osbourne died July 22, just weeks after a massive, star-studded celebration of his career. Wylde, who had been Ozzy’s guitarist for roughly 20 years, noted the historic ‘Back to the Beginning’ concert event was unlike anything else.
“It was definitely pretty amazing,” the rocker admitted to Guitar World. “Seeing Oz onstage when Sabbath got done, that’s the last time I saw him. … I’m blessed and grateful, man. Anything other than that would be selfish. And on top of it, to go out with what’s the biggest-grossing charity event of all? That’s unbelievable. He helped a whole lot of people instead of making a profit. My God, what an incredible master. What an incredible life.”
Because the day of the concert was a whirlwind, Wylde wasn’t able to get much one-on-one time with Ozzy. Despite Osbourne’s waning health, Wylde never could have predicted the show would be their last time together.
“Everybody and their mother were in the backstage dressing room and I just wanted to give him a break,” the guitarist explained. “I figured we’d see him later on — the next day or whatever. But no. The last text I got from Oz was saying, ‘Zakky, sorry, it was like a madhouse back there. I didn’t see you.’ He goes, ‘Thanks for everything.’ It was just us talking, saying, ‘I love you, buddy.’ That was it.”
Zakk Wylde Says Ozzy Was ‘So Easy to Get Along With’
Wylde’s love of Ozzy went far beyond the stage. Besides being bandmates, the musicians were very close friends. The Prince of Darkness was even the godfather to Wylde’s oldest son, Jesse, who was born in 1993.
“Whether I was playing with [Ozzy] or not, if Sharon called me and my wife up and said, ‘Guys, can you watch the house while we’re away on a business trip?’ I’d do it,” Wylde explained of his relationship with the late metal legend. “It’s like, ‘If you need me to bring milk and eggs over, I’ll do it.’”
“It was — with all your friends in your life, lions attract lions, you know? And the hyenas you hang out with, that sorts itself out later! But Ozzy was the easiest-going, warmest guy. He was so easy to get along with.”
Even in mourning, Wylde will continue to keep Ozzy and Black Sabbath’s legacy alive. The guitarist’s Zakk Sabbath tribute project will hit the road for a fall US tour beginning October 30th in Rancho Mirage, California.
