Zakk Wylde Reveals Ozzy’s Last Words to Him — A Farewell Like No Other

In the wake of Ozzy Osbourne’s passing on July 22, longtime collaborator and friend Zakk Wylde has shared the last message he received from the metal legend—and reflected on the decades they spent making music together.

Speaking in a new interview with Guitar World, Wylde looked back on their final performance, recounting the challenges of supporting Ozzy onstage at the Back to the Beginning show.

“I Had to Be There for Him”

During their emotional rendition of Mama, I’m Coming Home, Wylde described how he had to adapt in real time as Ozzy struggled to hit certain notes.

“Oz’s voice was having trouble at certain notes. I was like, ‘I need to make sure I’m always there so I can double him,’” Wylde recalled. “I was like three feet away from the microphone when I started playing the song. I was like, ‘I gotta get near the microphone,’ so I had to almost stop playing, lift the guitar up and put it over the mic.”

He laughed as he compared the moment to a circus act:

“It was like juggling balls or chainsaws while being on a skateboard. It was actually pretty funny… It’s supposed to be the most important show ever, but everything’s on the fly!”

Wylde said he didn’t get a chance to catch up with Ozzy backstage after the show, describing the scene as “a madhouse.”

“Everybody and their mother were in the backstage dressing room, and I just wanted to give him a break.”

The Final Message From Ozzy

Although they missed each other that night, Wylde later received a heartfelt text from Ozzy.

“‘Zakky, sorry, it was like a madhouse back there. I didn’t see you,’” the message read. “‘Thanks for everything.’”

Their final exchange was simple, yet deeply meaningful.

“It was just us talking, saying, ‘I love you, buddy.’ That was it,” Wylde said.

“He Gave Me Purpose”

Wylde, who began playing with Ozzy in 1987, credits the iconic frontman with shaping his entire career.

“[H]e gave me purpose to be a musician,” he said. “And without a doubt, that’ll always be with me.”

Reflecting on Ozzy’s impact—both musically and personally—Wylde added:

“[T]o go out with what’s the biggest-grossing charity event of all? That’s unbelievable. He helped a whole lot of people instead of making a profit. My God, what an incredible master. What an incredible life.”