TEARS AT 77: Tony Iommi’s Heart-Wrenching Truth About Ozzy Osbourne!
Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi broke down in tears, revealing a secret about his lifelong friend Ozzy Osbourne that’s left fans speechless. What did he confess about the Prince of Darkness? The answer will hit you hard. 😢
On July 22, 2025, the music world lost a titan with the death of Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of Black Sabbath and a heavy metal legend, at the age of 76. His passing, attributed to a heart attack compounded by Parkinson’s disease and coronary artery disease, came just 17 days after a triumphant farewell concert with Black Sabbath in Birmingham, England. In a raw and emotional interview on August 9, 2025, Tony Iommi, Black Sabbath’s legendary guitarist and Ozzy’s bandmate for over five decades, broke down in tears while sharing a long-held truth about their relationship and Ozzy’s final days. Describing Ozzy as “like a brother,” Iommi’s revelations have resonated deeply with fans, shedding light on the personal struggles and enduring bond behind the myth of the Prince of Darkness. This article explores Iommi’s confession, the context of Ozzy’s death, and the legacy of their partnership, drawing on recent reports and social media insights.
The Emotional Interview
Tony Iommi, now 77, spoke candidly in a 22-minute interview with Metal Hammer, first reported on X by @MetalHammer (), about the profound loss of Ozzy Osbourne. The interview, which surfaced online on August 9, 2025, captured Iommi visibly shaken, tears streaming as he recounted their shared history. “It was a shock; it just seemed unreal, surreal,” he said, reflecting on the moment he learned of Ozzy’s death (). Iommi revealed a deeply personal truth: despite their tumultuous history, including Ozzy’s firing from Black Sabbath in 1979 due to substance abuse, their bond remained unbreakable. “We had our ups and downs, but he was my brother,” Iommi confessed, emphasizing the emotional weight of their reconciliation and final performance together ().
Iommi’s most poignant revelation centered on Ozzy’s determination to perform at the farewell concert on July 5, 2025, titled “Back to the Beginning,” despite his declining health. An X post by @VanDoHalen quoted Iommi from an ITV News interview: “A real é que Ozzy já não estava bem nos ensaios para o último show. Aguentou o quanto conseguiu para subir ao palco. Hoje acredito que ele realmente sabia que seria o fim” (translated: “The truth is Ozzy wasn’t well during rehearsals for the last show. He held on as long as he could to get on stage. Today, I believe he really knew it would be the end”) (). This confession, amplified by a YouTube video titled “At 77, Former Bandmate Tony Iommi Breaks Down In Tears and Reveals Truth About Ozzy Osbourne” (), suggests Ozzy pushed himself to perform knowing his time was limited, a testament to his dedication to fans and his bandmates.
The Context of Ozzy’s Final Days
Ozzy Osbourne’s death on July 22, 2025, followed a years-long battle with Parkinson’s disease, diagnosed in 2003 but publicly disclosed in 2020. The official death certificate, as reported by People (), listed cardiac arrest as the primary cause, with Parkinson’s and coronary artery disease as contributing factors. The heart attack occurred at his UK estate, surrounded by his wife Sharon, children Aimee, Kelly, and Jack, and extended family. A family statement confirmed, “He was with his family and surrounded by love” ().
The farewell concert at Villa Park in Birmingham was a landmark event, marking Black Sabbath’s first performance with drummer Bill Ward in 20 years. Attended by over 40,000 fans and raising $190 million for charities like Birmingham Children’s Hospital, the concert was a global spectacle (). Iommi revealed that Ozzy struggled during rehearsals, battling mobility issues and fatigue due to Parkinson’s. “I think he really just held out to do that show,” Iommi told Metal Hammer, suggesting Ozzy’s awareness of his mortality drove his performance (). Ozzy’s final words to the crowd—“You’ve no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart”—reflected his gratitude and emotional depth ().
The Iommi-Osbourne Bond
Iommi and Osbourne’s relationship began in the late 1960s in Birmingham, where they formed Black Sabbath with Geezer Butler and Bill Ward. Their groundbreaking sound, built on Iommi’s heavy riffs and Ozzy’s distinctive vocals, birthed albums like Black Sabbath (1970) and Paranoid (1970). However, Ozzy’s substance abuse led to his dismissal in 1979, a decision Iommi described as “heartbreaking but necessary” in a 2013 Rolling Stone interview. Their reconciliation in the 1990s, culminating in Black Sabbath’s reunion for albums like 13 (2013) and tours through 2017, rebuilt their bond.
Iommi’s emotional interview highlighted moments of vulnerability. He recalled visiting Ozzy in 2024 during a recording session for a solo project, noting, “He was frail, but his spirit was still there” (). The farewell concert was a pinnacle of their friendship, with Iommi admitting, “It felt like we were kids again, playing for the love of it” (). His tears in the interview stemmed not only from grief but from regret over past conflicts and gratitude for their final moments together.
Critical Analysis and Public Reaction
Iommi’s revelation that Ozzy “knew it would be the end” has sparked intense discussion. An X post by @BLABBERMOUTHNET quoted Iommi saying, “It’s like losing a brother” (), underscoring the depth of their connection. Fans on X, such as @Mareeswj, praised Iommi’s honesty, while others, like @TheErimtanAngle, speculated that the physical toll of the concert may have contributed to Ozzy’s heart attack. Medical experts, cited in The New York Times (), clarified that Parkinson’s and coronary artery disease were the primary factors, not the concert itself.
The public response has been overwhelming. Fans gathered at Birmingham’s Black Sabbath Bridge, creating a memorial with flowers and tributes, as reported by BBC (). A funeral procession on July 30, 2025, saw thousands chanting “Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy” as the hearse passed (). Social media reactions, amplified by YouTube channels like Robot Zone (,), have focused on Iommi’s emotional vulnerability, with comments praising his courage in sharing such a personal truth.
Critics have noted the timing of Iommi’s interview, just weeks after Ozzy’s death, as a deliberate effort to honor his legacy. However, some X users, like @pbhushan1, cautioned against sensationalizing the grief, urging respect for the families. The news-nest.com reports (,) emphasized Iommi’s reflections on their “untold bond,” framing it as a farewell to a brother in music.
Implications for Black Sabbath and Heavy Metal
Ozzy’s death marks the end of an era for Black Sabbath, a band that defined heavy metal. Iommi, the last surviving original member actively performing, faces the challenge of preserving the band’s legacy. In the interview, he hinted at potential archival releases, including unreleased recordings from the 2025 concert, but ruled out new Black Sabbath music without Ozzy (). The band’s official statement, “Ozzy Forever,” reflects their commitment to his memory ().
The broader heavy metal community is grappling with the loss. Tributes from peers like Elton John and Zakk Wylde, reported by InStyle (), highlight Ozzy’s influence as a performer and personality. The upcoming BBC documentary, Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home, set to air on August 18, 2025, will offer an intimate look at his final years, including the farewell concert and his battle with Parkinson’s ().
The Human Toll and Legacy
Iommi’s tears reflect the personal toll of losing Ozzy, a friend who was “like a brother.” Their shared history, from Birmingham’s working-class roots to global stardom, was marked by triumphs and struggles. Iommi’s revelation that Ozzy knew the concert might be his last adds a layer of poignancy, suggesting Ozzy chose to leave on his own terms. Sharon Osbourne’s parallel grief, expressed as “I lost everything” (), underscores the family’s collective loss.
Ozzy’s legacy endures through his music, reality TV fame via The Osbournes, and a planned biopic by Sony (). The farewell concert, raising millions for charity, cemented his status as a beloved figure. Iommi’s emotional truth—that Ozzy fought to perform despite knowing the end was near—humanizes the legend, revealing a man driven by love for his fans and bandmates.
The Road Ahead
Iommi’s interview serves as a cathartic moment for fans and the music community. As Black Sabbath’s surviving patriarch, he carries the weight of preserving Ozzy’s legacy while navigating his own grief. The BBC documentary and potential archival releases will keep Ozzy’s spirit alive, but Iommi’s role as a storyteller of their shared history is equally vital. Fans, inspired by posts on X and YouTube tributes, continue to honor Ozzy at memorials like the Black Sabbath Bridge.
The music industry must balance celebrating Ozzy’s contributions with respecting the privacy of Iommi, Sharon, and the Osbourne family. Iommi’s tears and his revelation about Ozzy’s final days remind us that behind the myth of the Prince of Darkness was a man whose passion for music defined his life.
Conclusion
Tony Iommi’s tearful confession about Ozzy Osbourne’s determination to perform his final concert, knowing it might be his last, reveals the depth of their bond and the human side of a rock icon. Ozzy’s death on July 22, 2025, marked the end of a legendary career, but his influence on heavy metal and popular culture endures. Iommi’s words, “It’s like losing a brother,” resonate with fans, offering closure while highlighting the emotional cost of loss. As the world reflects on Ozzy’s legacy, Iommi’s truth serves as a poignant tribute to a friendship that shaped music history.
