When the news broke that metal pioneer Ozzy Osbourne had passed away on Tuesday (July 22nd) at the age of 76, Alice Cooper was just minutes away from taking the stage in Cardiff, Wales – which is about 2 hours away from where the legendary Black Sabbath singer was born.
In tribute to Ozzy, before his concert Cooper recorded a message to be played on his radio show Alice’s Attic.
“Well, we all know that time is going to take us rockers, but when the giants fall, it’s really hard to accept,” he said. “Even though everybody saw it coming with Ozzy, it just took our breath away when it happened. So Ozzy and family – your records and your music and your legend and all that you brought – the humor to the rock business – will live on forever and we’re gonna miss you man.”
Cooper and his band then dedicated their concert to Ozzy, celebrating the legendary musician along with the audience – who had also just learned of his passing.
Following the show, Cooper paid his respects to Osbourne in a lengthy post shared to Instagram:
“The whole world is mourning Ozzy tonight. Over his long career, he earned immense respect among his peers and from fans around the world as an unmatched showman and cultural icon.
“I always saw Ozzy as a cross between the prince of darkness, which is the persona his fans saw, and the court jester. That was the side that his family and friends saw.
“He was and will continue to be a rock n roll legend. Rock n Roll is a family and a fraternity. When we lose one of our own it bleeds. I wish I would have gotten to know my brother Ozzy better.
“Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and the rest of the Ozzy brood – our prayers are with you tonight. A titanic boulder has crashed, but rock will roll on.“
“Rest easy Ozzy and we’ll see you on the other side!”
