NEED TO KNOW
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Ozzy Osbourne revealed that he and Axl Rose met for the very first time at Black Sabbath’s final concert
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Fans were surprised to learn that the respective legends hadn’t crossed paths until recently
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The Back to the Beginning concert marked the first time Black Sabbath performed together in 20 years
Ozzy Osbourne is still making new friends after decades as a heavy metal icon.
On Monday, July 7, the Prince of Darkness shared a picture on X of him meeting Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose. “My first time meeting Axl Rose, at my age you don’t get to meet many legends,” Osbourne, 76, captioned the picture, which showed Rose, 63, shaking his hands.
“Seriously an utter gentleman,” added Osbourne.
My first time meeting Axl Rose, at my age you don’t get to meet many legends, seriously an utter gentleman pic.twitter.com/xtSVMNRSPf
— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) July 7, 2025
Fans were surprised to learn that Osbourne and Rose hadn’t met until Black Sabbath’s Farewell Concert, which featured Guns N’ Roses among the star-studded lineup.
“I can’t believe it took this long!! LEGENDARY moment in rock and roll history,” one fan wrote.
“Shocked that you two never met before,” another agreed. “Seriously after all, these decades, the first time meeting him? I would’ve thought you guys would’ve at least hung out sometime during the 90s,” a third said.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty
Ozzy Osbourne in California in September 2022
At Black Sabbath’s Birmingham concert called Back to the Beginning, which marked Osbourne’s final performance with the band, he sang from a gothic throne complete with bat wings and bones.
“It’s so good to be on this f—ing stage, you have no idea,” Osbourne said at the start of the set when his throne rose from beneath the stage, per Variety. “Let the madness begin!”
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The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee performed “I Don’t Know,” “Mr. Crowley,” “Suicide Solution,” “Mama, I’m Coming Home” and “Crazy Train.” He and Black Sabbath rocked out to “War Pigs,” “N.I.B.” and “Iron Man.” They closed out the show with a powerful rendition of their song “Paranoid.”
Throughout the show, which marked the first time Black Sabbath performed together in 20 years, Guns N’ Roses also performed, along with Metallica, Slayer, Tool, Pantera and Anthrax.
Theo Wargo/Getty
Ozzy Osbourne in New York City in June 2013
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The “Iron Man” singer was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2003. He is unable to walk and received his fourth spinal surgery in 2023. Following several health setbacks, Osbourne expressed a desire to return to the stage in December 2022.
“I just wanna get back on that stage. I’ve gotta get back on that stage. It’s driving me nuts, not being able to,” Osbourne told Yahoo! Entertainment at the time. “I can’t relax. I’ve always gotta be doing something.”
“I mean, I could say let’s call it a day, but I can’t stop,” the musician continued. “There’s nothing like a good gig, and there’s nothing like a bad gig — because a bad gig makes you wanna do a good gig, better than before! A great gig is better than any sex or drug. There’s nothing to compare it to.”
Speaking to PEOPLE in September 2022, Osbourne expressed the admiration he has for his fans. “It’s where I belong,” he said of being on the stage. “The relationship I have with my audience is the biggest love affair of my life.”
Read the original article on People
