In a new interview with the “Neil Jones Rock Show” on TotalRock, Ian Anderson of JETHRO TULL spoke about this week’s passing of legendary BLACK SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne. Asked if he knew Ozzy at all, Ian said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “I only ever met Ozzy Osbourne on one occasion, which was, I think, in 1971. And we briefly crossed paths; I think we were on the same bill at some concert. They had become very successful in the USA with what was the burgeoning mode of heavy metal, whereas we were in a slightly pre-progressive rock phase, playing rather more complex music. And, unfortunately, Ozzy was taken ill after soundcheck, I don’t know what with, but he actually came, knocked on my door to the dressing room and came in personally to apologize that he was feeling really unwell and wouldn’t be able to perform that night. And I was struck by, first of all, the gentlemanly approach and the fact that he was really filled with remorse and embarrassment and felt he had to come and tell me personally before he broke the news to the promoter. And so we had to go on stage to play to the BLACK SABBATH fans as well as our own fans — with a little trepidation because this was literally just — I don’t know — an hour before we were due on stage. But the show went okay, and hopefully he recovered by the next night, which I don’t think was another concert with us.”
Anderson also once again reflected on BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi‘s sole appearance with JETHRO TULL, which took place in December 1968 for the filming of THE ROLLING STONES‘ film “Rock And Roll Circus”. At that time, JETHRO TULL was in need of a new guitarist after the departure of Mick Abrahams. Ian said: “Of course, I knew Tony Iommi pretty well from a period at the end of 1968 when Tony came and played a few things with us in a studio in London and appeared on THE ROLLING STONES‘ ‘Rock And Roll Circus’, miming the guitar part to a song that we performed on that. And over the years I kept in touch with Tony. In fact, I sent him a message last night, a message of condolences to lament the sad passing of Ozzy Osbourne and saying how I was pleased that he was able to do that, fulfill that last concert [in Birmingham, United Kingdom] because I imagine it was a little hit-or-miss whether [Ozzy] was gonna be well enough to do it. But I’m glad he got through it and left that undying mark on not only himself, the band and the fans, but the legacy that was evident in the various other bands who performed on that farewell show. So, yes, a fitting but sad and I gather rather unexpected sudden end. But like everybody else, we saw him as being a slightly roguish, crazy character full of stories, some of which you can relate, and at least one of which I know I can’t, because it surpasses all others that I’ve heard about Ozzy Osbourne.”
Ozzy died Tuesday morning (July 22),his family announced in a statement.
“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. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time,” the family said.
No cause of death was given, but Osbourne had battled a number of health issues over the past several years, including Parkinson’s disease and injuries he sustained from a late-night fall in 2019.
Ozzy‘s death came a little more than two weeks after he took the stage for his final performance with BLACK SABBATH at Villa Park in the band’s original hometown of Birmingham, United Kingdom. They performed four songs for more than 40,000 people in the stadium and 5.8 million more on a livestream. Ozzy also played a five-song solo set while seated in a bat-adorned throne.
The legendary BLACK SABBATH frontman was diagnosed in 2003 with Parkin 2 — a very rare genetic form of Parkinson’s. During a TV appearance in January 2020, the singer disclosed that he was ‘stricken” with the disease which occurs when the nerve cells of the body degenerate and levels of dopamine are reduced. Dopamine is an essential chemical that is produced by these nerve cells which send signals to different parts of the brain to control movements of the body.
Ozzy‘s health issues, including suffering a nasty fall and dislodging metal rods placed in his spine following a quad-bike accident in 2003, as well as catching COVID-19 three years ago, forced him to cancel some of his previously announced tours.
Despite his health problems, Osbourne had performed a couple of times in the last three years, including at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in August 2022 and at the NFL halftime show at the season opener Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills game in September 2022.
