Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler has opened up about his feelings regarding Ozzy Osbourne’s final performance with the band. He shared personal reflections in an interview with Guitar World.
Butler’s comments focused on his enduring friendship with Osbourne and his one regret from their final show together.
“I’ll remember Ozzy as a very dear friend and a true genius,” Butler said. “We’ve been through too much together to let things get in the way of our friendship.”
The bassist expressed remorse about the chaotic nature of their final backstage encounter.
“My only regret is not saying goodbye to his face after the show,” he continued. “Because it was absolute chaos backstage, and I obviously didn’t think I wouldn’t see him again.”
Butler also praised Osbourne’s dedication to performing despite his health challenges.
“The courage he had to do that (Back to the Beginning show) was mind-blowing,” he said. “To do that one final time, for the fans and for the charities, when he was so, so ill, was incredible.”
Butler’s reflections take on deeper significance when viewed against the backdrop of the historic “Back to the Beginning” concert and its aftermath.
Wikipedia documented that the “Back to the Beginning” concert lasted ten hours and included fourteen supporting acts. The event also featured video tributes from legendary artists such as Elton John and Marilyn Manson. The massive scale of the event highlighted the profound impact Osbourne and Black Sabbath had on the music world throughout their decades-long career.
The concert featured several memorable moments that underscored its historic nature. YouTube footage captured how the event included a drum-off between multiple drummers and an emotional proposal that was accepted backstage. These moments added personal touches to what would become a legendary farewell performance.
The weight of Butler’s regret becomes even more poignant considering the timing of subsequent events. Fox News reported that Ozzy Osbourne passed away just seventeen days after the concert on July 22, 2025. This made the “Back to the Beginning” show his final farewell to fans and fellow musicians alike.
This tragic timeline transforms Butler’s missed goodbye into something far more significant than a simple backstage oversight. The bassist’s words now serve as a reminder of how quickly final moments can slip away, even between friends who have shared decades of musical history together.
The comments reflect on the end of an era for one of heavy metal’s most influential partnerships.
