Billy Idol pays tribute to Ozzy Osbourne
Music icon Billy Idol says Ozzy Osbourne embodied the spirit of rock and roll.
The music industry is mourning the loss of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne.
Singer-songwriter Billy Idol says he is "very sad to hear" about the Black Sabbath frontman's death. Osbourne died on Tuesday at the age of 76.
"I’m so glad that I could be part of his solo induction into the [Rock & Roll Hall of Fame] last October, that I got to honour his achievements in the light of his passing," he wrote.
He included a picture of himself, Osbourne and guitarist Steve Stevens backstage at the induction.
"I saw Black Sabbath one month before the first album came out at Worthing town hall in 1968. I was right at the front & his tassels were touching me!
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"Ozzy embodied the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll, and he performed right to the end as we all saw most recently at the 'Back to the Beginning' concert."
Black Sabbath hosted a 'Back to the Beginning' benefit concert at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, on July 5.
It was celebrated the band's final live concert - a farewell to their fans. Several supporting acts, YUNGBLUD, also featured. YUNGBLUD performed Black Sabbath's 1972 classic 'Changes'.
Over £140 million was raised for charities such as Cure Parkinson's, Acorns Children's Hospice, and Birmingham Children's Hospital.
Tickets for the concert sold out within minutes, and 45,000 people packed Villa Park for the farewell concert.
Idol also sent his condolences to Osbourne's wife Sharon and their three children, Aimee, Jack and Kelly. Osbourne also has three other children.
Kelly's fiancé, Sid Wilson, proposed to her backstage at his last concert.
"F**k off, you're not marrying my daughter," Osbourne joked.
Kelly described her dad's final show as magical.
"I can’t even [write] this without tears streaming down my face! Thank you to everyone who came to support my dad. Thank you to the fans who without we are nothing! My dad got his moment in the sun! He was able to say thank you and goodbye in the most beautiful way!" she wrote after the concert.
Idol also remembered Osbourne in a special tribute shared with The Hollywood Reporter.
"He opened musical doorways for people like me at a time when we were very young and looking for inspiration. Black Sabbath and Ozzy were very instrumental in opening the doorway for punk-rock. In many ways, it was fueled by all the things we saw when we were younger, especially the Sabs and Ozzy," he said.
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Main image credit: Instagram/@billyidol