Alice Cooper honours Ozzy Osbourne at Cardiff show: “Let’s all say goodnight to Ozzy”
Alice Cooper used his show last night (July 22nd) at the Utilita Arena in Cardiff to honour the late Ozzy Osbourne.
The Black Sabbath frontman’s death was confirmed by his family on July 22nd. In a joint statement from his wife Sharon and his four children, they wrote: “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love.”
They also requested privacy at this difficult time and refrained from sharing Osbourne’s cause of death.
Following his passing, the music world has united in grief for the heavy metal pioneer who changed the musical landscape forever. Elton John, Rod Stewart, Metallica, Foo Fighters, and Yungblud are just a handful of the names that have honoured Osbourne, as well as his former bandmates in Black Sabbath.
At the end of Cooper’s concert in Cardiff, the rock icon gathered with his bandmates and said on behalf of the entire production, “The entire crew, from the cast, from the band and from myself, let’s all say goodnight to Ozzy.” Cooper then led the Welsh crowd through a chant of “Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy” before taking a bow.
In a separate statement, Cooper wrote: “The whole world is morning Ozzy tonight. Over his long career, he earned immense respect among his peers and from fans around the world as an unmatched showman and cultural icon. I always saw Ozzy as a cross between the prince of darkness, which is the persona his fans saw, and the court jester. That was the side that his family and friends saw.”
Cooper continued: “He was and will continue to be a rock n roll legend.” Rock n Roll is a family and a fraternity. When we lose one of our own it bleeds. I wish I would have gotten to know my brother Ozzy better. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and the rest of the Ozzy brood – our prayers are with you tonight. A titanic boulder has crashed, but rock will roll on.”
Osbourne’s death occurred only weeks after Black Sabbath reunited at Villa Park for one final show, which marked the first time their original line-up of Ozzy, Bill Ward, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler had played together in over 20 years. It raised almost $200 million for charities close to his heart, including Parkinson’s Cure.
During the concert, Osbourne performed a short solo set from his throne before joining his bandmates to end the set in style at their old stomping ground in Aston, ending their story in the same place it started in the 1960s.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.