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Randy Blythe’s band Lamb of God were among those who performed at the “Back to the Beginning” concert on July 5th in Birmingham, England, and now the singer has paid tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne in a post on social media.
Blythe took to Instagram, sharing a pic of himself with Ozzy taken during a Comic Con event in Birmingham a week after the concert, and just 10 days prior to Ozzy’s passing.
Blythe was famously imprisoned in the Czech Republic for over a month back in 2012 due to an incident in which a fan tragically died after falling off the stage at a Lamb of God show two years earlier. In his tribute, Blythe praised Ozzy for standing up for him during his imprisonment and subsequent trial (where he was ultimately acquitted). He also noted that the Prince of Darkness was in a great mood and “still buzzing” from Black Sabbath’s final show when the two met up at the Comic Con event.
Blythe’s full post reads:
“Like most of you reading this, I am immensely sad right now.
This picture was taken 10 days ago, at @comicconmidlands- I was with my pals @scottianthrax & @thefrankbello. Our friend @malfuncsean took us back into Ozzy’s green room— we hung out for a good half hour & had some laughs with the Prince of Darkness.
Know this: Ozzy was in a GREAT mood, & still buzzing over the ‘Back To The Beginning’ concert. I thanked him for having @lambofgod on the show, & told him ‘We just went by 14 Lodge Road two days ago’ (his childhood home in Birmingham.) Ozzy looked up & gave me an huge grin & said ‘Boy, I’ll bet that fucking guy who lives there now is sick of hearing about me!’ & started laughing really hard. It was great to see!
I do not claim to have been close to him, but I’ve had several interactions with Ozzy over the years. Yes, Ozzy was a TRUE ROCK N’ ROLL MADMAN- they don’t build ’em like him anymore. But I also knew him as a kind & gentle man who, alongside his family, did so much for my band, & more personally, spoke out publicly on my behalf when I was facing serious legal issues.
When you are in a foreign prison & inmates you don’t know come up to you suddenly acting impressed & saying ‘Ozzy Osbourne says good things for you!’ in broken English… trust me, it makes a difference.
Thank you for that, mate.
So yes, I’m very sad right now— but my heart is also full. Ozzy got to say goodbye, & he got to do it on HIS terms, with HIS band. One last time the mighty SABBATH roared… & we all watched in awe.
While in the green room, I had Ozzy sign my shoes, the ones I am holding in this photo- there were only 121 pairs of these Adidas made, strictly as thank you gifts to performers at the ‘Back To The Beginning’ show. I told Ozzy I was going to auction them off to further benefit the charities that the concert raised money for, & he was well pleased by this.
And so I shall.
This is how I would like to thank & honor him for all he did for music, my band, & myself. The shoes will be part of a larger auction that is being organized right now. Details soon.
Thank you Ozzy. We love you.
‘Show the world that love is still alive, you must be brave…'”
Lamb of God and Randy Blythe covered Sabbath’s “Children of the Grave” at Back to the Beginning and later shared a studio-recorded version of the cover along with the following statement: “Lamb of God being invited to perform with Black Sabbath at their final show is one of the greatest honors of our career.”
See Blythe’s tribute post below.
English (US) · 