Speaking from Birmingham, the city where the heavy metal legend was born and where the inaugural Ozzy Day was taking place, she shared the simple request he had for fans who wanted to remember him, while also looking ahead to the legacy he left behind.
Sharon Osbourne Says Ozzy Wanted Fans to Turn the Music Up
Rather than asking people to mourn him, Sharon said Ozzy had always imagined being remembered through the music that defined his life. Quoting her late husband, she recalled his message to fans: “When you want to remember me, just yank up the music really loud, as loud as you can get it, and just head bang.” It was a tribute that reflected the spirit of the Black Sabbath frontman, who died on July 22, 2025, at age 76, just 17 days after his farewell Back to the Beginning concert.
Source: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Looking back on the man behind the public persona, Sharon said his greatest qualities had nothing to do with fame. “He never tried to be anything other than what he was,” she said, adding that he was someone who always spoke honestly and never pretended to be anyone else. She also remembered the humor that carried them through decades together, saying even their biggest disagreements would end with laughter because he would inevitably say something so absurd that neither of them could stay angry.
The anniversary also coincided with Birmingham’s first official Ozzy Day, a citywide celebration dedicated to its most famous son. Sharon expressed hope that the event would become a lasting tradition, describing Birmingham as the place that shaped him. “It’s Ozzy’s home, it’s where he was born, what he loved,” she said, insisting the celebration belonged there because of the deep bond he always maintained with the city and its people.
Sharon also highlighted the charitable causes that were close to Ozzy’s heart. The farewell concert raised money for organizations including Cure Parkinson’s, Acorns Children’s Hospice, and Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and she made it clear that the family’s commitment would continue. “We will continue that until we find a cure for Parkinson’s, because people don’t realize it’s more and more prevalent,” she said, underscoring that supporting those efforts remains an important part of preserving his legacy.
