Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Ozzy Osbourne | Source: Getty Images
Geezer Butler Pays Tribute to Late Bandmate Ozzy Osbourne
Jul 23, 2025 - 11:34 A.M.
The longtime Black Sabbath bassist remembered the late "Prince of Darkness" in a reminiscent tribute, shortly after his family announced his passing.
Geezer Butler, the original bassist and primary lyricist of the legendary Black Sabbath, took to X to honor his longtime friend and bandmate, Ozzy Osbourne. The frontman died on July 22, 2025, after battling Parkinson's disease and several other health issues.
Geezer Butler and Ozzy Osbourne attend the Ozzy Osbourne and Corey Taylor Special Announcement on May 12, 2016, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
"Goodbye dear friend," Butler began. "Thanks for all those years - we had some great fun. 4 kids from Aston- who'd have thought, eh? So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you."
Butler included photos from their last show together, Osbourne's farewell performance, on July 5, at Villa Park in Birmingham. The pair had reunited with the other original Black Sabbath members, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward, with whom they co-founded the band in 1968.
Almost two weeks later, on July 17, Osbourne took to Instagram to wish Butler a happy 76th birthday, posting a carousel of images from their early days as Black Sabbath to their most recent moments together.
His family announced his death in a statement published across multiple outlets. "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," the family said.
"He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time," they concluded. Ozzy is survived by his wife, Sharon, his six children, Jessica, Elliot, Louis, Aimee, Kelly, and Jack, and ten grandchildren.
