Guitarist Tony Iommi of BLACK SABBATH and Sharon Osbourne have both shared personal tributes to Ozzy Osbourne on the first anniversary of his death, as Birmingham marked the city's inaugural "Ozzy Day" on July 22.
Osbourne died on July 22, 2025, roughly two weeks after BLACK SABBATH's farewell concert, "Back To The Beginning," which reunited the band's original lineup for one final performance in their hometown on July 5, 2025. His death certificate cited a heart attack, with coronary artery disease and Parkinson's disease listed as contributing factors. A private funeral was held on July 31, 2025, attended by around 110 family members and close friends.
Reflecting on the year since his longtime bandmate and friend's passing, Iommi said: "Well, it's now a year since Ozzy's passing and I still can't believe that he's not with us." He described the closeness the two maintained even after decades of on-and-off collaboration, saying, "We always stayed in touch, almost every week or so and we'd usually talk about our ailments." Iommi closed his tribute simply: "There will never be another Ozzy. I miss you my dear friend."
Sharon Osbourne, married to the singer for over four decades, shared her own recollection of how he wanted to be remembered. "When you want to remember me, just yank up the music really loud, as loud as you can get it," she recalled him saying. She also spoke to his authenticity as a person, telling well-wishers: "He was authentic. He never tried to be anything other than what he was...so genuine and funny." Addressing Birmingham directly, she added: "This is the home of metal...He loved this city, he loved its people."
"Back To The Beginning," Osbourne's final performance, saw him deliver five solo songs before being joined onstage by Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for four classic BLACK SABBATH tracks — the first time the founding lineup had performed together in nearly two decades. Birmingham's decision to formally recognize July 22 as "Ozzy Day" cements the singer's status as one of the city's defining cultural figures, alongside his role as one of heavy metal's founding voices.