Sharon Osbourne made sure her husband got his final wish before he passed. Just weeks before his death, she helped organize a massive benefit concert back in his hometown.
Ozzy Osbourne died at the age of 76, with his family saying he was “surrounded by love.” His Parkinson’s diagnosis had been public since 2019, but there were other health issues too, though no official cause of death was released.
That final wish was to return to the UK and perform again. Sharon arranged the Back to the Beginning benefit concert where Ozzy joined Black Sabbath and raised $189 million for charity.
Other huge bands like Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, and Anthrax joined in. It was a full-blown tribute to his legacy, and Sharon made sure it happened in Aston, the place where he was born.
Sharon told a reporter: “The only place that we could do it would have been Aston, because that’s where Ozzy was born and grew up, which is right where the Villa ground is.
“I thought of having all the bands he’s ever had relationships with perform and maybe do Sabbath songs and Ozzy songs. It became a celebration of the music. All the generations are going to be there that Sabbath and Ozzy have passed the torch down to.
“Parkinson’s is a progressive disease. It’s not something you can stabilize. It affects different parts of the body, and it’s affected his legs. But his voice is as good as it’s ever been.”
She described Ozzy as being “very happy to be coming back and very emotional about this.”
After the concert, Ozzy said: “You’ve no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Following his death, the family issued a statement. It said: “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
Ozzy is survived by Sharon and their children Aimee, Kelly, and Jack. He also leaves behind Jessica and Louis from his first marriage to Thelma Riley, along with his grandchildren.
