Geezer Butler Reveals Hilarious Details of His First Encounter with Ozzy Osbourne

Geezer Butler, bassist of Black Sabbath, has shared a heartfelt tribute to his late friend and bandmate Ozzy Osbourne, reflecting on the remarkable journey they shared. In an essay for The Sunday Times published on July 27, Butler fondly remembers first spotting Ozzy, whom he affectionately calls “the Prince of Laughter.”

Butler recalls:

“I first became aware of him when I’d walk home from all-nighters at a rock club called the Penthouse, in Birmingham. I had long hair down past my shoulders and looked like a hippy. Ozzy would be on the other side of the road… with his cropped hair and mod suit. Complete opposites of each other.”

The Beginning of Black Sabbath

In 1968, Butler noticed an advert in a Birmingham music store: ‘Ozzy Zig needs a gig,’ with the singer’s address. When he visited, Ozzy wasn’t home, so Butler left his contact details with Ozzy’s sister. Later that night, a knock at the door revealed a barefoot Ozzy wearing his dad’s work gown, carrying a chimney brush over his shoulder and a shoe on a dog leash.

He said, “I’m Ozzy.” Butler laughs, “After I’d stopped laughing, I said: OK, you’re in the band. So began the most incredible journey of our lives.”

Saying Goodbye to a Legend

Butler also recalls Ozzy’s fragility during rehearsals for Black Sabbath’s final show, Back To The Beginning:

“He was really quiet compared with the Ozzy of old.”

Following Ozzy’s passing last week, Butler took to social media with a simple message:

“Goodbye, dear friend. Thanks for all those years. We had some great fun. Four kids from Aston. Who’d have thought, eh? So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.”