GEEZER BUTLER Says OZZY Needed Help To Rehearse: 'He Wasn't Talking Much'
Summary
- Geezer Butler says Ozzy Osbourne looked frail and exhausted during final rehearsals for Back to the Beginning.
- Ozzy was helped by caretakers and sang seated, but still made it to the stage one last time.
- Butler reflects on 57 years of friendship, calling the farewell show a privilege and a proper goodbye.
Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler has written a personal piece for the Sunday Times, sharing memories from his last moments with Ozzy Osbourne.
In the article, Butler reflects on the emotional weight of preparing for Back to the Beginning, the farewell event that marked both the end of Black Sabbath and Ozzy’s final public appearance.
Ozzy died just 17 days after the show.
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Credit: X / OzzyOzzy needed assistance
Butler didn’t sugarcoat what he saw at rehearsals. Though he knew Ozzy’s health was declining, the reality hit harder than expected.
“I knew he wasn’t doing well, but I wasn’t ready for how frail he looked,” Butler wrote. “He was brought into the rehearsal space by two caretakers and a nurse. He walked with a cane—this being Ozzy, of course, it was black with gold and jewel inlays.”
According to Butler, Ozzy kept conversations brief and sang while sitting in a chair. “We ran through the songs, but you could tell he was getting worn out after six or seven. We talked a bit, but he was quiet compared to the Ozzy we used to know.”
Credit: X / OzzyA goodbye no one saw coming
Although his health clearly wasn’t great, no one expected Ozzy’s death to come so soon after the show.
Still, Butler expressed gratitude for the final performance and the overwhelming response from fans and fellow musicians.
“No one knew he’d be gone just over two weeks later. I’m just thankful we had one last chance to play together in front of his beloved fans,” he said. “The love from the audience, the bands, the singers, the solo artists—everyone was there to honor the Prince. I feel incredibly lucky to have spent most of my life with him.”
He added, “Of course, there are a million things I’ll remember and probably should’ve written down. But how do you sum up 57 years of friendship in a few paragraphs? God bless you, Oz. What a ride. Love you, mate.”
Credit: Black Sabbath
Credit: Reproduction / YoutubeA long-running musical bond
Beyond their legacy with Black Sabbath, Butler also joined Ozzy’s solo band during two key periods.
The first was during the No Rest for the Wicked tour in 1989 and 1990. The second came in the mid-90s, when Butler played on the Ozzmosis album and joined Ozzy’s world tour, which included a stop in Brazil for the second edition of Monsters of Rock.
Throughout their intertwined careers, their bond remained strong.
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