Dave Mustaine has shared an emotional tribute to Ozzy Osbourne following the metal icon’s passing. This comes despite Megadeth not being invited to Black Sabbath’s final “Back to the Beginning” concert. The Megadeth frontman posted his heartfelt message on Instagram.
Mustaine’s tribute focused on expressing gratitude and respect for Ozzy’s contributions to metal music. He chose not to reference the previous exclusion from the farewell tour.
“Dear Ozzy, I’m gonna miss you,” Mustaine said. “Not nearly as much as your incredible soulmate, Mrs. Osbourne.”
The message continued with appreciation for Ozzy’s impact on the metal community.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done for us all,” he added. “See you on the other side!”
The tribute demonstrates Mustaine’s respect for Ozzy’s legacy. He set aside any past disappointments to honor the metal legend’s memory.
This heartfelt gesture comes against the backdrop of Black Sabbath’s historic farewell performances and Ozzy’s final chapter as a live performer.
Wikipedia reported that Black Sabbath’s “Back to the Beginning” concert was held on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham. The event marked the first time since 2005 that the original lineup performed together live. The event became particularly poignant as Ozzy Osbourne sang while seated on a throne in what became his final live performance. He was unable to walk due to advanced Parkinson’s disease. He died seventeen days later at age 76.
The farewell concert raised £140 million. Wikipedia noted that the funds benefited several charities including Cure Parkinson’s. This massive fundraising effort highlighted the enduring power of Black Sabbath’s music and their commitment to charitable causes even in their final performance.
Prior to this final show, Black Sabbath had already conducted “The End” tour from 2016 to 2017. Wikipedia documented that this tour was initially billed as their farewell concert tour. That earlier tour concluded with a final show in Birmingham and was later documented as a concert film and live album. It grossed $84.8 million across 81 shows globally.
Though Megadeth was notably absent from the farewell event, the exclusion may have been due to financial disagreements. YouTube sources suggested this possibility. However, Mustaine chose to focus on celebrating Ozzy’s enduring influence on metal rather than dwelling on the snub. This demonstrates the respect that transcends industry politics when honoring a legend’s legacy.
