Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell recently shared his thoughts on Ozzy Osbourne’s death and final performance. He reflected on the legendary musician’s impact and farewell in an interview with Guitar World.
Cantrell’s comments came in response to a question about Alice in Chains’ history with Ozzy. The band had participated in his No More Tours run in the 1990s.
When asked how he would remember Ozzy, Cantrell emphasized the profound influence of the Prince of Darkness and Black Sabbath on rock music.
“I don’t think it can be overstated how intertwined he and Black Sabbath are with all of rock ‘n’ roll,” Cantrell said. “If there are dominant genes for heavy rock and metal, it’s fucking Sabbath. They’re on the Mount Rushmore – that’s f*cking big.”
Cantrell then reflected on Ozzy’s final years and farewell performance. He expressed initial sadness that transformed into appreciation for how the ending unfolded.
“Of course, I was very sad when Ozzy died,” he continued. “But upon further reflection, if you think about it, for him to rally and work his ass off for a couple of years to to do that thing, it’s perfect.”
Cantrell praised the organization of Ozzy’s final show and the rare opportunity it provided for a proper farewell.
“For Morello and Sharon Osbourne to organize all that, and to pull it off let alone have it be as cool as it was… not many artists get that sort of exit,” he said. “Maybe it’s not perfect, but it’s pretty fucking close. If you wanna talk about a walk-off home run, that’s what it was.”
Cantrell’s perspective reflects the broader sentiment within the rock community about how Ozzy’s career concluded with dignity and celebration rather than decline.
Ultimate Classic Rock reported that Ozzy Osbourne’s last live performance took place on July 5, 2025, at the benefit concert Back to the Beginning held in his hometown of Birmingham. The event marked a historic moment as the original Black Sabbath lineup performed together for the first time in 20 years. Osbourne sang while seated on a throne due to his advanced Parkinson’s disease.
The farewell concert featured classic hits including “Paranoid” as the final song Ozzy ever sang on stage. Wikipedia documented that the event raised £140 million for charities including Cure Parkinson’s and Birmingham Children’s Hospital. This demonstrated the lasting impact of Ozzy’s legacy beyond music.
Despite his health challenges, Ozzy’s emotional farewell was celebrated worldwide and streamed via pay-per-view. The event drew massive audiences and tributes from fellow artists. The concert featured appearances and tributes from major acts including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler. This showcased the respect and admiration Ozzy garnered across the rock and metal community.
The Back to the Beginning concert symbolized not just an end but a celebration of a legacy that shaped heavy music for generations. The event’s success and emotional impact validated Cantrell’s assessment that few artists receive such a fitting farewell. This made Ozzy’s final bow truly feel like the “walk-off home run” the Alice in Chains guitarist described.
