NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
Ozzy Osbourne met with Black Sabbath for a final performance weeks before his death, a show that would mark the last time that bass player Terence “Geezer” Butler would see his old friend.
Butler remembered his time with Osbourne, almost six decades after the band formed in 1968, and the importance of his last show together near his cities of origin.
The Prince of Darkness died on Tuesday, July 22, after fighting a series of health problems over the years. He was 76 years old.
Kelly Osbourne Posts Moment treasured with the late Father Ozzy Osbourne
Geezer Butler recalled the last time he spoke with his former friend and bandmate of Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne. (Hobson Tibrin)
The bassist said Ozzy was an “born artist” who “would do anything to laugh.” He coined his friend the “Prince of Laughter.”
Before the July 5 concert, Butler admitted that he knew that the main singer had health problems, but admitted that he was surprised to see how he had become “fragile” Ozzy in his last days.
“I knew I was not healthy, but I wasn't prepared to see how fragile it was,” Butler wrote in an essay published in The Sunday Times.
Ozzy Osbourne's message for caps fans of the decades: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart”
“He was helped to enter the rehearsal room by two assistants and a nurse and was using a cane: being Ozzy, the cane was black and studded with gold and precious stones.”
Butler continued: “Actually he didn't say much beyond the usual greetings and when he sang, he sat in a chair. We ran through the songs, but we could see that he was exhausting him after six or seven songs. We had a little talk, but he was really quiet compared to the Ozzy of yesteryear. After a couple more, we were ready for the program.”
Osbourne acted with Black Sabbath for a final concert on July 5. (Reuters/Sachin Ravikumar)
Osbourne was a founding member of Black Sabbath in 1968. (Michael Putland/Getty images)
The 10 -hour show was presented by Jason Momoa and presented performances of Metallica, Guns N 'Roses, Jack Black, Steven Tyler and others. At one time during the show, which was broadcast live in the United Kingdom, the legendary drummers, including Danny Carey of Tool, Chad Smith from Red Hot Chili Peppers and Travis Barker from Blink-182, fought with their drums while playing a cover of the “Sabbath universe” symptom.
For the closing set, the legendary rock star rose to the stage while sitting on a black throne accompanied by skulls and covered with a black bat. He sang successes like “Crazy Train” and “Mama I'M Coming returns home” while sitting throughout the set.
Click here to register in the entertainment bulletin
“You have no idea how I feel,” Osbourne told the crowd. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Butler recalled that the “most strange part of the show was the end.”
Black Sabbath included Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Ozzy Osbourne. (Chris Walter/Wiremage)
“Normally, we would all hug and refer to the audience,” Butler wrote. “But Ozzy was on his throne and we hadn't thought about it. What do we do? Tony shook his hand, I presented a cake, but it was such a strange feeling to finish our story like this.
“I wish I had more time on stage with Ozzy, but the wishes are redundant now. As Ozzy used to say: 'I wish in one hand and St in the other and see which one comes first.'”
Look 'Sharon Osbourne de Fox Nation: To Hell and Back'
Butler added: “No one knew that there would have gone from us just over two weeks after the final show. But I am very grateful that we could play one last time together in front of their beloved fans. The love of fans and all the bands, musicians, singers and artists solo that night was incredible.
Look: Ozzy Osbourne during his final performance with Black Sabbath
“Everyone had come to pay tribute to the prince. I am so privileged to have spent most of my life with him. Of course, there are millions of things that I will think that I should have written, but how can I summarize 57 incredible years of friendship in a few paragraphs bless, Oz, Oz, has been hell!”
Born in Aston, West Midlands, the United Kingdom, Ozzy felt attracted to the theater when he was a child, but finally turned to music after hearing a particular song from The Beatles.
How are you reading? Click here for more entertainment news
“When I heard 'she loves you', my world went up like a fleeting star,” Osbourne told Esquire. “It was a divine experience. The planets changed. I used to fantasize that Paul McCartney would marry my sister.”
After leaving school when I was a teenager, Osbourne spent six weeks in prison after being convicted of stealing a clothing store. It was in 1967 that Butler recruited him to be a vocalist in a band that would become Black Sabbath.
Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne married on July 4, 1982. (Greg Doherty/Getty Images)
Years before his death, Osbourne reflected on the lasting legacy that he wanted to go in the world as his Parkinson's disease advanced.
Click here to get the Fox News application
“Survival is my legacy,” he said People magazine. “I mean, I'm 73 years old. People say: 'Well, you have 70 … Why don't you throw the towel?' Why should people?
Osbourne is survived by his wife Sharon, the daughters Kelly and Aimee, and his son Jack, in addition to his daughter Jessica, and his children Elliot and Louis of his first marriage to Thelma Riley.
