BREAKING: Black Sabbath GUITARIST Tony Iommi C...read more.

BREAKING: Black Sabbath GUITARIST Tony Iommi C…read more.

As tributes continue to pour in following the passing of legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne, one of the most emotional reflections has come from his longtime friend and Black Sabbath bandmate, Tony Iommi. Speaking candidly in a newly released interview, Iommi revealed that Ozzy insisted on performing with the band one final time just days before his death despite the toll his declining health had taken on him.

“Ozzy held out to be there for that last show. That’s what he wanted to give the fans one more memory,” Iommi shared. “He was in pain, we could all see it, but he never let it stop him.”

The final Black Sabbath reunion concert, now seen in hindsight as a farewell performance, was held in Birmingham Osbourne’s hometown earlier this month. The show brought together Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and even original drummer Bill Ward, who had been absent from several of the band’s reunion efforts in the past. The setlist that night featured classics such as “Paranoid,” “War Pigs,” and “Iron Man,” and was met with thunderous applause from a crowd that likely did not realize they were witnessing history.

Ozzy Osbourne passed away just five days later, surrounded by family, after a years-long battle with multiple health issues including Parkinson’s disease and complications from past injuries. He was 76.

Tony Iommi spoke with a heavy heart, recounting the final days leading up to the performance. “He wasn’t sure he’d make it to the stage. There were moments where we thought he might pull out. But Ozzy was always a showman. Even when his body was failing, his spirit never did.”

For decades, Iommi and Osbourne’s names were synonymous with Black Sabbath. As two of the founding members of the pioneering heavy metal band in the late 1960s, they changed the course of rock history. Their journey was filled with personal struggles, legendary tours, and groundbreaking music. And though their relationship was at times strained especially during Osbourne’s departure from the band in 1979 their bond was never truly broken.

“People don’t always realize how much love there was between us,” Iommi said. “Ozzy was more than a frontman. He was my brother. We fought like brothers, laughed like brothers. And in the end, we came full circle together.”

Fans who attended the final show have now flooded social media with messages expressing both their grief and gratitude. Videos from the concert have gone viral, especially the moment when Osbourne paused to thank the crowd with tears in his eyes. “This one’s for all of you,” he had said. “It’s been a hell of a ride.”

Bill Ward, who made a surprise return to the drums for the final performance, also paid tribute in a statement earlier this week. “Ozzy had the heart of a lion. He gave everything he had that night. I’m honored I was there beside him one last time.”

Geezer Butler echoed similar sentiments. “You never really expect to lose someone like Ozzy. He seemed indestructible. But the truth is, he gave us more than anyone ever had a right to expect. That last gig… it was his gift to us.”

The show, now widely considered one of the most emotionally charged concerts in rock history, is expected to be released as a live album and film later this year. Proceeds will reportedly benefit charities chosen by the Osbourne family.

Iommi says he’s still processing the loss but finds solace in knowing that Ozzy went out on his own terms. “He lived the way he wanted. Loud, wild, and full of passion. And he left us doing the one thing he loved most being on stage.”

As the world says goodbye to the Prince of Darkness, it’s clear that Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy will live on not only in the annals of music but in the hearts of millions of fans across generations.

“He gave everything to the fans,” Iommi concluded. “Right to the end.”