Geezer Butler penned an emotional tribute to Ozzy Osbourne. Days after the Black Sabbath frontman died at age 76, Butler reflected on his 57-year friendship with the singer, which started when Osbourne showed up at his doorstep barefoot, looking for a gig in 1968.<\/p>\n
In an essay for The Sunday Times<\/a>, Butler, 76, revealed that he wasn\u2019t fully prepared to see Osbourne\u2019s physical decline when they reunited to rehearse for the band\u2019s Back to the Beginning farewell concert in June.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew he wasn\u2019t in good health, but I wasn\u2019t prepared to see how frail he was,\u201d Butler wrote of Osbourne. \u201cHe was helped into the rehearsal room by two helpers and a nurse and was using a cane \u2014 being Ozzy, the cane was black and studded with gold and precious stones. He didn\u2019t really say much beyond the usual greetings, and when he sang, he sat in a chair. “<\/p>\n “We ran through the songs, but we could see it was exhausting him after six or seven songs,” the Black Sabbath bassist added. “We had a bit of a chat, but he was really quiet compared with the Ozzy of old.\u201d<\/p>\n Osbourne, who suffered from advanced Parkinson\u2019s disease, performed at the final concert without any issues. Seated on a bat-winged throne, he sang five solo songs and four Black Sabbath songs, ending his final show of his career with the 1970 classic “Paranoid.\u201d<\/p>\n Butler recounted what happened after the show.<\/p>\n \u201cThe strangest part of that show was the end,\u201d he recalled. \u201cNormally, we would all hug each other and take a bow to the audience. But Ozzy was on his throne and we hadn\u2019t thought that out. What do we do? Tony shook his hand, I presented him with a cake, but it was such a strange feeling to end our story like that.\u201d<\/p>\n Butler previously posted a photo<\/a> of what would be one of his final moments with Osbourne as he brought the cake to him onstage.<\/p>\n In his essay, Butler added that he regretted not having more time with Osbourne backstage. \u201cNobody knew he\u2019d be gone from us little more than two weeks after the final show,\u201d he wrote. \u201cBut I am so grateful we got to play one last time together in front of his beloved fans. … I am so privileged to have spent most of my life with him.\u201d<\/p>\n Osbourne died on July 22, just 17 days after performing with Black Sabbath at Back to the Beginning at the band\u2019s hometown venue, Villa Park in Aston, Birmingham.<\/p>\n Butler posted a tribute to Osbourne on Instagram<\/a>, \u201cGoodbye dear friend- thanks for all those years- we had some great fun. 4 kids from Aston- who\u2019d have thought, eh?\u201d he captioned two photos of their last moments onstage together. \u201cSo glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.\u201d<\/p>\n Related: Ozzy Osbourne Revealed Funeral Wishes Years Before His Death<\/a><\/p>\n