Tom Morello, a close friend of Ozzy Osbourne and organiser of his final Black Sabbath show, has said the heavy metal star 'knew' he was dying during the performance. Speaking on Chicago's Q101 radio station, Morello described Osbourne's appearance at the Back to the Beginning concert as a 'miracle', given his frail health.
The show, held at Villa Park in Birmingham, was the band's final ever gig after Osbourne's long battle with Parkinson's disease and other health issues. Morello said Osbourne 'lived to play and feel that love one more time', adding: 'If you've got to go out, it really felt like he knew.'
Osbourne performed a short solo set before being joined by bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, marking their first performance together in 20 years. The event also featured sets from Metallica, Slayer, and Alice in Chains, and raised over £140 million for three charities.
During the concert, Osbourne was seated on a leather throne topped with a bat. He told the crowd: 'It's so good to be on this stage. You have no idea.' Before leaving, he said: 'It's the last song ever. Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle… thank you from the bottom of our hearts.'
Osbourne died three weeks later, aged 76, with the cause of death ruled as 'out of hospital cardiac arrest' and 'acute myocardial infarction'. Morello called the news a 'terrible and tragic surprise', but said the show felt like a 'spiritually great moment' for rock and roll fans worldwide.
