Ozzy Osbourne’s sister has opened up about the plans the rocker made in the final days before his death.
The Black Sabbath frontman – real name John Osbourne – died on July 22 at the age of 76, with his family sharing a statement confirming the news.
His death came just weeks after he appeared on stage for the final time, during the Back to the Beginning concert in Birmingham.
Speaking about her loss, Jean Osbourne reflected on seeing his last performance earlier this month, and his desire to return to their hometown again.
‘He was frail but it still came as a shock,’ his sibling said in a new interview. ‘He still had plans and things he wanted to do. We don’t know the details of his death, it’s still too early. It’s just so sad.’
Ozzy delighted fans when he appeared on a throne on stage at the Back to the Beginning event, and performed a short solo for the crowd.
‘It’s so good to be on this stage. You have no idea,’ he said, thanking those who had gathered at the stadium ‘from the bottom of [his] heart.
‘You have no idea how I feel.’
Recalling their final day together, she continued to the Mirror: ‘We had an executive box in the stadium, and when I saw the sea of people waiting to see our John, I just broke down.
‘We didn’t really get a chance to chat much because it was such a chaotic visit. But in his last text to me he said he would be coming to Birmingham again.
‘He said “I can’t wait to come back. We were hoping to see him this week.”’
Ozzy, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019, grew up in Birmingham and was one of six siblings – alongside Jean, Gillian, Paul, Iris and Tony.
His eldest sister explained that the rocker messaged them while travelling to the concert, as he was ‘blown away’ by the crowds walking down the street where they used to live, on their journey to Aston Villa’s stadium.
‘Of the six siblings there’s only three of us left now – me, Gillian and our brother Paul,’ she added. ‘We just can’t believe he is gone and we won’t be getting another phone call or text from him.
‘Every week without fail he would get in touch, either by phone or text, to ask how we were all doing and what was going on.’
Ozzy’s death left the music world in mourning, with stars lining up to pay tribute to the rock legend on social media.
His family, including wife Sharon Osbourne, confirmed the news in a heartfelt statement yesterday, which read: ‘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.
‘We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.’
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