🌟 SH0CKING ABSENCES at Ozzy Osbourne’s Funeral! 🌟 The Prince of Darkness was laid to rest, but where were these A-listers? 😱 While rock royalty like Elton John and Metallica’s James Hetfield paid their respects, some huge names linked to Ozzy’s legendary career were nowhere to be seen. What kept them away from this emotional farewell? 🤔
Introduction: A Farewell Fit for a Legend
On July 22, 2025, the music world lost a titan when Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness, passed away at 76 after a battle with Parkinson’s disease. His funeral on July 30 and 31, 2025, was a poignant blend of public mourning and private reverence, with thousands of fans lining Birmingham’s Broad Street and a select group of family and rock royalty gathering at his Buckinghamshire estate. The procession, marked by Bostin’ Brass playing Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man,” and the private ceremony, attended by stars like Elton John and Marilyn Manson, celebrated Ozzy’s larger-than-life legacy. Yet, amidst the tributes, social media buzz has fixated on a surprising question: Which celebrities, tied to Ozzy’s storied career, were conspicuously absent? This 1500-word article explores the notable no-shows, the context of their absence, and what it reveals about Ozzy’s complex relationships and enduring influence.
The Funeral: A Celebration of Ozzy’s Life
Ozzy’s funeral was a two-part affair reflecting his dual identity as a global icon and a Birmingham native. On July 30, a public procession saw his hearse, adorned with a purple floral crucifix spelling out “Ozzy,” travel from Broad Street to the Black Sabbath Bridge, where fans left tributes. Sharon Osbourne, 72, and their children—Aimee, 41, Kelly, 40, Jack, 39, and Louis, 50, from Ozzy’s first marriage to Thelma Riley—walked tearfully behind, joined by Ozzy’s grandchildren. The next day, a private burial at the Osbournes’ 250-acre Buckinghamshire estate drew about 110 guests, including Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Bill Ward, and Geezer Butler, Metallica’s James Hetfield and Robert Trujillo, Slipknot’s Corey Taylor, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, Zakk Wylde, and Yungblud, who gave a reading. Elton John, a longtime friend, also attended, honoring Ozzy’s place “in the pantheon of rock gods.”
Ozzy’s wish for a “celebration, not a mope-fest” was honored, with a music tent and marquees set up despite rain, and a floral tribute reading “Ozzy F**king Osbourne” capturing his irreverent spirit. Fans chanted “Ozzy! Ozzy! Ozzy! Oi! Oi! Oi!” as the hearse passed, and social media posts, like Marilyn Manson’s heartfelt tribute, underscored the emotional weight: “I am eternally grateful that you let me into your life Ozzy. Your legacy lives on.”
The Shocking Absences: Who Wasn’t There?
While the guest list was star-studded, the absence of certain figures sparked speculation on X and beyond. Ozzy’s career, spanning Black Sabbath’s pioneering heavy metal in the 1960s to his solo success and reality TV fame, connected him to countless musicians and celebrities. Yet, some expected names were missing. Here’s a look at key figures who didn’t attend, based on available reports, and possible reasons why:
Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
Metallica’s James Hetfield and Robert Trujillo attended, with Trujillo confirming his presence on Instagram. However, no sources mention drummer Lars Ulrich or guitarist Kirk Hammett, despite Metallica’s performance at Ozzy’s final “Back to the Beginning” concert on July 5, 2025. Yungblud’s post noted Metallica’s participation, saying, “I’m so honored that Lars, James, Kirk, and I got to celebrate with him.” Their absence from the funeral could be due to scheduling conflicts, as Metallica’s 2025 tour was ongoing, or a choice to honor Ozzy privately, given their shared history.
Slash (Guns N’ Roses)
Slash, a rock icon who collaborated with Ozzy on his 2010 album Scream and shared stages at festivals, was notably absent. As a contemporary who praised Ozzy’s influence, his non-attendance surprised fans on X, with one post speculating, “Where was Slash? He owed Ozzy for that Scream riff!” Slash’s absence might stem from touring commitments with Guns N’ Roses, who had European dates in 2025, or a personal decision to mourn privately.
Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters)
Dave Grohl, who cited Black Sabbath as a major influence and performed with Ozzy at events like the 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, was not reported among attendees. His absence raised eyebrows, given his vocal admiration for Ozzy. Grohl’s 2025 schedule with Foo Fighters, including new album promotions, might explain his absence, or he may have sent condolences privately, as no public tribute from him surfaced.
Justin Bieber
Ozzy jokingly mentioned wanting Justin Bieber’s music at his funeral in a 2011 interview, saying, “They can put on a medley of Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle and We Are the Diddymen if it makes ’em happy.” While not a close associate, Bieber’s absence became a talking point due to Ozzy’s quip. As a pop star with no direct connection to Ozzy’s inner circle, his non-attendance is unsurprising, but fans on X found humor in the missed “Bieber medley.”
Lemmy Kilmister’s Estate or Motörhead Members
Lemmy, Motörhead’s late frontman, was a close friend of Ozzy’s, but no Motörhead members or representatives were noted at the funeral. Lemmy died in 2015, but surviving bandmates like Phil Campbell could have attended to honor their shared history. Touring or personal reasons might have kept them away, though no X posts confirmed their absence explicitly.
Reality TV Co-Stars
Ozzy’s fame from The Osbournes (2002-2005) linked him to reality TV peers like Paris Hilton or Simon Cowell, who collaborated with Sharon on talent shows. None were reported at the funeral, likely due to their peripheral connection to Ozzy’s music career. Their absence fueled X chatter about the “Hollywood crowd” skipping the event, with one user noting, “No Paris Hilton? Ozzy was reality TV royalty!”
Why the Absences Sparked Buzz
The focus on who didn’t attend reflects Ozzy’s massive influence across genres and generations. His absence list became a social media lightning rod because fans expected a broader turnout from the music and entertainment worlds. X posts speculated on “snubs,” with one user writing, “Lars and Kirk bailed on Ozzy’s funeral? Metallica owes him everything!” Yet, absences likely stem from practical reasons: touring schedules, health concerns, or private tributes. The private ceremony’s limited guest list (110 people) meant only close associates were invited, excluding even some rock peers.
Ozzy’s own words in 2011 emphasized a lighthearted approach to his funeral, prioritizing joy over formality. This may explain why some celebrities, like Bieber or reality TV stars, weren’t expected, as their connection was more cultural than personal. Still, the absences of rock figures like Slash or Grohl stung fans, given their public admiration for Ozzy. The lack of public statements from these figures, unlike Marilyn Manson’s emotional X post, amplified speculation.
The Context of Ozzy’s Legacy
Ozzy’s funeral was less about who didn’t show and more about celebrating a man who redefined heavy metal. Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham, he co-founded Black Sabbath in 1967, creating a sound that birthed a genre. His solo career, with hits like “Crazy Train,” and his reality TV fame made him a cultural juggernaut. His final concert on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park, alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Yungblud, was a triumphant farewell, despite his frailty from Parkinson’s. Fans like Jack Ryland-Smith, who petitioned for an Ozzy statue, called him a “working class hero,” a sentiment echoed by Birmingham’s Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal.
The funeral’s attendees reflected Ozzy’s inner circle: his family, Black Sabbath bandmates, and younger artists like Yungblud, who called Ozzy his “unofficial protege.” Sharon Osbourne’s emotional presence, wearing Ozzy’s wedding ring on a necklace, and Kelly’s tribute with his signature sunglasses underscored the personal loss. The absence of some stars doesn’t diminish this; as Ozzy’s sister Jean Powell told The Mirror, “He was just our John,” loved for his humor and heart.
Fan Reactions and Cultural Impact
X posts captured the mixed emotions around the funeral. Fans praised the attendees, with @TMZ noting, “Musicians including Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie poured into Ozzy Osbourne’s English estate,” but others questioned absences, asking, “Where were the rest of Metallica?” The public procession drew thousands, with floral tributes and chants of “Ozzy! Oi! Oi! Oi!” showing his enduring fanbase. A petition to rename Birmingham Airport after Ozzy, garnering 47,000 signatures, highlights his local hero status.
The focus on absences risks overshadowing the love poured into Ozzy’s farewell. His wish for a celebratory send-off was fulfilled, with Bostin’ Brass’s performance and a floral “Ozzy F**king Osbourne” tribute capturing his irreverence. The private ceremony’s intimacy, limited to close friends like Elton John, who called Ozzy a “true legend,” ensured a fitting goodbye.
Conclusion: A Legacy Beyond the Guest List
Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral was a testament to his impact, from Birmingham’s streets to the global stage. While the absence of figures like Slash, Dave Grohl, or Lars Ulrich sparked chatter, it reflects the practical limits of a private event, not a lack of respect. Ozzy’s legacy—100 million records sold, a genre defined, and a life lived unapologetically—transcends who showed up. As he told The Times in 2011, “I want it to be a celebration, not a mope-fest.” His family and fans delivered just that. For the latest on Ozzy’s farewell, check BET or news sites, and join the conversation about the Prince of Darkness’s enduring mark.
