Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Text to a Close Friend Will Break Your Heart originally appeared on Parade.
For Zakk Wylde, Ozzy Osbourne wasn’t just a frontman — he was family.
The two rockers shared decades of music and memories, with Wylde stepping in as Osbourne’s guitarist in 1987 and remaining by his side through tours, studio albums, and other milestones. Now, he’s revealing the final text he received from the Black Sabbath frontman, just days before Osbourne’s death.
Wylde was there for Osbourne’s final performance at the Back to the Beginning show in Birmingham on July 5. Though the night was hectic, Wylde revealed to Guitar World on Tuesday, July 29, that he gave Osbourne space backstage, assuming they’d reconnect later. That never happened.
“The last text I got from Oz was saying, ‘Zakky, sorry, it was like a madhouse back there. I didn’t see you.’ He goes, ‘Thanks for everything.’ It was just us talking, saying, ‘I love you, buddy.’ That was it,” he shared with the outlet.
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Wylde, 58, reflected how their musical chemistry was undeniable from the start. “It was definitely beyond just us playing in a band together and making music,” Wylde stated. From 1988’s No Rest for the Wicked to 1995’s Ozzmosis, Wylde helped define an era of Ozzy’s solo career.
The bond between them ran far deeper than music. Osbourne was godfather to Wylde’s son, with the guitarist describing their connection as one where “if you need me to bring milk and eggs over, I’ll do it.” Even when not touring together, their friendship remained strong. “Oz was just the best,” Wylde said. “There was almost a 20-year age gap between us,” but that never got in the way. “If I ever needed advice, I could talk to him.”
Reflecting on their time together through the years, Wylde calls himself “blessed and grateful,” adding, “My God, what an incredible master. What an incredible life.”
Osbourne was publicly laid to rest on Wednesday, July 30, with a public funeral procession followed by a private family service, both in Birmingham. He died on Tuesday, July 22 at the age of 76.
Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Text to a Close Friend Will Break Your Heart first appeared on Parade on Jul 30, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
