Black Sabbath Legend Geezer Butler Recalls Final Moments With Ozzy Osbourne

Geezer Butler penned an emotional tribute to Ozzy Osbourne. Days after the Black Sabbath frontman died at age 76, Butler reflected on his 57-year friendship with the singer, which started when Osbourne showed up at his doorstep barefoot, looking for a gig in 1968.

In an essay for The Sunday Times, Butler, 76, revealed that he wasn’t fully prepared to see Osbourne’s physical decline when they reunited to rehearse for the band’s Back to the Beginning farewell concert in June.

“I knew he wasn’t in good health, but I wasn’t prepared to see how frail he was,” Butler wrote of Osbourne. “He was helped into the rehearsal room by two helpers and a nurse and was using a cane — being Ozzy, the cane was black and studded with gold and precious stones. He didn’t really say much beyond the usual greetings, and when he sang, he sat in a chair. "

"We ran through the songs, but we could see it was exhausting him after six or seven songs," the Black Sabbath bassist added. "We had a bit of a chat, but he was really quiet compared with the Ozzy of old.”

Osbourne, who suffered from advanced Parkinson’s disease, performed at the final concert without any issues. Seated on a bat-winged throne, he sang five solo songs and four Black Sabbath songs, ending his final show of his career with the 1970 classic "Paranoid.”

Butler recounted what happened after the show.

“The strangest part of that show was the end,” he recalled. “Normally, we would all hug each other and take a bow to the audience. But Ozzy was on his throne and we hadn’t thought that out. What do we do? Tony shook his hand, I presented him with a cake, but it was such a strange feeling to end our story like that.”

Butler previously posted a photo of what would be one of his final moments with Osbourne as he brought the cake to him onstage.

In his essay, Butler added that he regretted not having more time with Osbourne backstage. “Nobody knew he’d be gone from us little more than two weeks after the final show,” he wrote. “But I am so grateful we got to play one last time together in front of his beloved fans. ... I am so privileged to have spent most of my life with him.”

Osbourne died on July 22, just 17 days after performing with Black Sabbath at Back to the Beginning at the band’s hometown venue, Villa Park in Aston, Birmingham. 

Butler posted a tribute to Osbourne on Instagram, “Goodbye dear friend- thanks for all those years- we had some great fun. 4 kids from Aston- who’d have thought, eh?” he captioned two photos of their last moments onstage together. “So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.”

Related: Ozzy Osbourne Revealed Funeral Wishes Years Before His Death