Black Sabbath guitarist Zakk Wylde revealed the final message he received from his friend and ‘brother’ Ozzy Osbourne before he died.

Ozzy’s friend shared the last text he got from the star (Image: Getty)

Ozzy Osbourne’s close friend and long-time guitarist Zakk Wylde has opened up about the last message he received from the Prince of Darkness, just weeks before his death on July 22 at the age of 76. The text came following Black Sabbath’s final performance and farewell concert in Birmingham on July 5.

Speaking to Guitar World, Wylde recalled the brief text sent by Osbourne in the aftermath. “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,’” Wylde shared. “It was just us talking, saying, ‘I love you, buddy.’ That was it.”

Wylde said he had assumed he would catch up with Osbourne after the show, but opted to steer clear of the crowded backstage area to give the singer space.

“Everybody and their mother were in the backstage dressing room and I just wanted to give him a break,” he explained, adding that their main concern was making sure Osbourne was doing well.

The final time he saw Osbourne was as the legendary frontman left the stage that night. “It was definitely pretty amazing. Seeing Oz onstage when Sabbath got done, that’s the last time I saw him,” Wylde said.

Zakk called Ozzy his ‘brother’ (Image: Getty)

Now 58, Wylde reflected on their long friendship, a bond that stretched beyond music.

“Oz was just the best. I have my father, who was a World War II veteran; and then Ozzy, who was almost like an older brother,” he said. “There was almost a 20-year age gap between us. With our relationship, there was the fun drinking – but if I ever needed advice, I could talk to him.”

Wylde also shared that Osbourne was named godfather to his eldest son, underscoring how close their families had become.

“Whether I was playing with him or not, if Sharon called me and my wife up and said, ‘Guys, can you watch the house while we’re away on a business trip?’ I’d do it. It’s like, ‘If you need me to bring milk and eggs over, I’ll do it,’” he said.

Sharon was supported by her children as they visited Ozzy’s memorial site in Birmingham (Image: Getty)

Osbourne passed away on July 22 at the age of 76, following years of health complications related to Parkinson’s disease and injuries sustained in a 2003 quad bike accident.

His family confirmed his death in a statement on Instagram, saying he was “surrounded by love.”

“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,” the statement read. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”

On Wednesday (30th July) Ozzy’s hearse was driven a route in his hometown of Birmingham so fans could say goodbye. Sharonwas overcome with emotion as she and her children, Aimee, 41, Kelly, 40, and Jack, 39, put on a united front to visit the sprawling memorial site. They were joined by Ozzy’s son Louis, 50, from his first marriage.