Glenn Hughes Remembers His Friendship With Ozzy Osbourne
Glenn Hughes has paid tribute to his longtime friend Ozzy Osbourne, opening up about their bond and the impact of losing him. Speaking with The Metal Voice, Hughes reflected on knowing Osbourne since the early days of Black Sabbath and offered a look at the man behind the legend.
Friends Since Birmingham’s Early Days
Hughes explained that his relationship with Sabbath dates back more than fifty years. “The band Black Sabbath have been my friends since 1970. We grew up in the same city, really. So I’ve known those guys from the very beginning,” Hughes said. For him, Osbourne wasn’t just another superstar — he was part of a circle of musicians who came up together in Birmingham, chasing the same dream.
“So, when we’ve lost someone that’s very… obviously, people know who he is, but for me, he was my friend. So, it’s very different when you lose someone close to you.”
The Ozzy Fans Didn’t Always See
Hughes wanted people to remember that Osbourne’s larger-than-life TV persona wasn’t the whole story. “I feel for every single person with the loss of Ozzy. Because underneath all the crazy stuff on TV, he genuinely was a really kind, good man,” Hughes said.
He noted that while The Osbournes and years of on-stage antics made Ozzy appear unhinged, in reality he was a grounded, working-class guy who never lost his humanity. “A lot of that stuff was produced on TV, and it was all funny, and it was great. But underneath it all, he was a very working-class kind man.”
Hughes’ Own Sabbath Chapter
Hughes’ connection to Sabbath runs deeper than friendship. In 1986, he briefly fronted the band on the album Seventh Star. Originally intended as a Tony Iommi solo release, the label insisted it carry the Black Sabbath name, placing Hughes in the hot seat as the band’s lead vocalist. His stint was short and turbulent, but it remains a unique moment in Sabbath history and cemented his link to Osbourne’s world.
Glenn Hughes Reflects
For Hughes, losing Osbourne is personal. These weren’t just industry acquaintances — they were friends who came from the same city, who saw each other rise from working-class Birmingham streets to international stages. Hughes’ words cut through the mythology and the headlines, reminding fans that Ozzy wasn’t only the “Prince of Darkness.” He was also someone’s friend, a generous spirit behind the chaos, and a man whose loss is felt far beyond the stage and mosh pit.
