The members of Black Sabbath are each honoring their frontman Ozzy Osbourne on Instagram. The singer passed away on Tuesday at the age of 76. He had been battling Parkinson’s disease for years.
Guitarist Tony Iommi writes that he can’t comprehend the news. “My dear friend Ozzy has passed away, just weeks after our performance at Villa Park.”
“Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls,” bassist Geezer Butler reflects on the memories he has with the rock legend. “No, you are forever in my heart.”
Drummer Bill Ward thanks Osbourne for all the good years. “Farewell, dear friend,” he writes. “We had a lot of fun. Four kids from Aston – who would have thought, huh? So glad we could do it one last time, back in Aston. I love you.” The band members also write that their thoughts go out to Sharon and the entire Osbourne family.
With its devilish image and hard sound, Black Sabbath was one of the most influential metal bands of that time. Osbourne contributed to that image by biting off the head of a bat on stage during a performance in 1982. Both the band and Osbourne have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.