Bill Ward pays emotional tribute to Ozzy Osbourne: 'I love him and miss him every day'
He opens up almost a year on from Ozzy's death
Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward has paid poignant tribute to Ozzy Osbourne as the first anniversary of The Prince of Darkness' death approaches.
Bill, of course, shared the stage with Ozzy one final time at Black Sabbath’s homecoming Back to the Beginning concert in early July 2025 just 17 days before Ozzy’s passing.
In a new interview with LA Radio Studio, Bill said that almost one year on he’s only just ready to talk about Ozzy.
"Ozzy forever. That's what I wanted to say today," Bill told host Mike Stark. "(He is) dearly missed. We're in the month now, the anniversary, of his passing and I wanna say his music was just brilliant. Whatever he's participated in musically, it's all been brilliant. His voice is eerie. It's scary. It's passionate. It can cross all boundaries. It's timeless."
Bill continued: "I miss the hell out of him. He was one of my best friends. I'll say just one of my best friends, 'cause my mum was another one of my best friends. My brother was another one of my best friends, but Ozzy was like a brother, and he was one of my best friends."
"If we'd had done this show a few months ago, I'd have been crying my eyeballs out," Bill added. "I think I'm at a place now where I'll cry after the show, but I'm doing my best to get through the show and not cry so that I can say good things about him. I never wanna let him down, ever. And I love him all the time. I love him every single day. I miss him every single day, and I loved him every day when he was alive and I love him every day now."
Last week, Bill Ward told fans that he increasingly needs to use a wheelchair at airports and other public spaces.
“I’m not in retirement or ill or giving up, or any of those thoughts that ignite when we see people in wheelchairs,” Bill assured fans.
“I’m making myself public and transparent about my new transport, and letting you know I’m OK. If you see me in the airports or visiting friends in the music arenas or theatres say hi, I don’t bite, I’ll just look different, as pictured here. Much love to you all and I’ll keep rocking until I’m dead.”