Blues Rock community remembers Ozzy Osbourne

Photos of Ozzy Osbourne flooded social media this week as members of the blues community posted heartbroken tributes to the Black Sabbath frontman.

Known by fans as the “Prince of Darkness,” Osbourne died on July 22 at 76. A statement released by his wife and children said he “was with his family and surrounded by love” when he passed.

As news of his death spread, memories began pouring in as some musicians recalled working with Osbourne and others shared how his music impacted their own.

Joe Bonamassa, who called Osbourne a “one of a kind singer, artist, personality and larger than life performer,” described soloing on Osbourne’s 2005 album Undercover as “one of the great honors of my life.”

Lindsey Troy said Black Sabbath was a “massive influence” on her band Deap Vally, whose song “End of the World” wouldn’t exist without them.

And Scott Holiday of Rival Sons, who played at Black Sabbath’s Back to the Beginning farewell concert earlier this month, said that despite Osbourne’s “big bad dark lord of metal” public persona, he “was actually the warmest, kindest…and funniest guy you could know.”

Read on for more memories of and tributes to the godfather of heavy metal.

“I used to listen to ‘ozzmosis’ every day on my walk to school. I didn’t think this day would ever come. Just assumed he’d out live us all. Rest easy Ozzy. I’m always proud to be from the midlands but I was always a bit prouder because of you. ❤️” — Joanne Shaw Taylor

“Heart broken – rest easy hero. Sending love to the Osbournes. Massive massive loss for the entire world of music and musicians 💔” — Devon Allman

“RIP Ozzy 🕊️🕊️. Here’s the track of me and Ozzie getting down ! Had a blast jammin in the studio with you !! Prayers to Sharon and the family !! Such great people !!” — Robert Randolph

“This is devastating news. A one of a kind singer, artist, personality and larger than life performer. I had the privilege of playing a solo on his ‘Undercover’ album 20 years ago. I will always consider that as one of the great honors of my life. Rest in Peace..” — Joe Bonamassa

“A titan, a legend, an icon. Rest In Peace to the Prince of darkness 🙏 Sending love to his whole family and all who mourn him !” — Elles Bailey

“We had the great fortune of spending a year and some months opening for Ozzy and Black Sabbath..the great honor of presenting the guys with their Grammy Lifetime Achievement Awards and the absolute blessing in being able to be a part of the Back to the Beginning concert. Ozzy was a legend of legends. Who’s been more uncompromisingly FUN than Ozzy?? Seriously! What a gift he gave us! He was a legend before I was born ..and by the time I know what an Ozzy is..he’s already just the raddest, funnest, giving zero fucks, impassioned rock n roll super hero. But what I was able to learn while spending the time we had together was: “the big bad dark lord of metal” was actually the warmest, kindest…and funniest guy you could know. A family man. Someone quick to offer a smile and encouragement. Someone who never stopped giving us an amazing fun time…right until the literal end. Just incredible.” — Scott Holiday of Rival Sons

“❤️ RIP OZZY” — Tyler Bryant of Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown

“Just don’t seem real. RIP Ozzy 💔” — Parker Barrow

“RIP Ozzy 💔Forever a legend!” — Richie Kotzen

“Black Sabbath was a massive influence on Deap Vally. I don’t think our song, ‘End of the World’ would exist without them. That riff is straight Sabbath. Rest in power, Ozzy. The world feels a little less awesome, silly, and cool today without you. 💔” — Lindsey Troy of Deap Vally

“I had the great privilege of working with Ozzy in my studio for three months back in the 90s. He was sharp, he knew what he liked and knew what he didn’t like, he worked hard and he was absolutely the funniest person I ever met. I can’t imagine what the metal landscape would have been like if not for him. Sharon was the air that he breathed. My deep condolences to the family. You so delivered, dear Prince of Darkness. You were always filled with such a bright light, and we are grateful.” — Steve Vai

“2 good friends , lads from The West Midlands , having a quiet drink all those years ago. Lots of love, laughter and music shared between us , as we were Neighbours back in the UK 🇬🇧 Never be another like you my dear RIP 🙏 & I’ll see you again 🩵 #cantfindthewordsrightnow 💔 #ozzy” — Glenn Hughes

“It’s with a heavy heart that I mourn the passing of the great Ozzy Osbourne. I know a great many people cried all around the world at this profound loss. I’m with you. He was an awesome motherfucker. We all loved him dearly. I’ll miss him as a friend. & a pillar of the spirit of rock n roll. But I’m so happy Ozzy had that last show that we all could share with him, it truly meant the world to one of the greatest of all time. RIP #OzzyOsbourne iiii]; )’” — Slash

“Damn…. RIP Ozzy … thank you for the amazing music you gave to the earth” — ZZ Ward

“Rest easy, #OzzyOsbourne. 🖤 Your voice was pure magic, darkness and innocence all at once. A rock star, but so human. So fantastic. I love you. What a loss 🖤” — Beth Hart

“R.I.P Prince Of Darkness. Thank you for all of the legendary music you gave to us. 🙏🏻✝️💔” — Alastair Greene