{"id":23764,"date":"2025-08-07T11:37:59","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T11:37:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/guitarmadrid.com\/?p=23764"},"modified":"2025-08-07T11:37:59","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T11:37:59","slug":"ozzy-looked-well-he-did-not-look-like-he-was-two-weeks-away-from-passing-the-feeling-was-similar-to-when-randy-passed-away-that-dead-void-that-emptiness-rudy-sa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/guitarmadrid.com\/es\/2025\/08\/07\/ozzy-looked-well-he-did-not-look-like-he-was-two-weeks-away-from-passing-the-feeling-was-similar-to-when-randy-passed-away-that-dead-void-that-emptiness-rudy-sa\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cOzzy looked well. He did not look like he was two weeks away from passing\u2026 The feeling was similar to when Randy passed away \u2013 that dead void, that emptiness\u201d: Rudy Sarzo on the lifelong kindness of Ozzy Osbourne \u2013 and the miracle of his final weeks"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"article-body\">\n<p>Rudy Sarzo remains justifiably proud of the music he made with <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.guitarworld.com\/tag\/ozzy-osbourne\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.guitarworld.com\/tag\/ozzy-osbourne\">Ozzy Osbourne<\/a> in the early \u201880s \u2013 but equally important is the kindness he received at the time from Ozzy and wife Sharon.<\/p>\n<p>Taking part in <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.guitarworld.com\/tag\/black-sabbath\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.guitarworld.com\/tag\/black-sabbath\">Black Sabbath<\/a>\u2019s Back to the Beginning farewell show in July was, of course, a no-brainer. But Sarzo says he couldn\u2019t have predicted how special the experience would be. \u201cI was just watching and listening \u2013 it was a miracle,\u201d he tells <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.guitarworld.com\/features\/best-bass-guitars-for-every-budget\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.guitarworld.com\/features\/best-bass-guitars-for-every-budget\"><em>Bass<\/em><\/a><em> Player.<\/em><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-base\" \/>\n<p>\u201cMy purpose in going was to have a few minutes of face-to-face with Ozzy and Sharon, and to thank them. When I got there I realized that everybody else was there for the same purpose.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-nosnippet=\"\" class=\"clear-both pt-3 pb-4 mb-4 border-solid border-y border-neutral-300\"><span class=\"font-article-heading block pb-3 !text-base font-bold uppercase sm:text-sm text-[#333]\">You may like<\/span><\/aside>\n<p>\u201cThere was so much complete gratitude. I\u2019ll never have enough time in my life to thank <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.guitarworld.com\/tag\/randy-rhoads\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.guitarworld.com\/tag\/randy-rhoads\">Randy Rhoads<\/a>, Sharon and Ozzy for changing my life. We wouldn\u2019t be having this conversation if not for them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>What was the Back to the Beginning show like?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI gotta tell you: Ozzy looked well. He did not look like he was two weeks away from passing. In medical terms there\u2019s this thing called \u2018the gift,\u2019 where, when people are about to pass, they get lucid. It\u2019s like, \u2018Oh, they\u2019re okay,\u2019 and then they pass away.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Is that how Ozzy was?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p> {        window.reliablePageLoad.then(() =&gt; {            var componentContainer = document.querySelector(&#8220;#slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-B62APjduf9Nmtyo6AiwvhD&#8221;);            if (componentContainer) {                var data = {&#8220;layout&#8221;:&#8221;inbodyContent&#8221;,&#8221;header&#8221;:&#8221;Get The Pick Newsletter&#8221;,&#8221;tagline&#8221;:&#8221;All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!&#8221;,&#8221;formFooterText&#8221;:&#8221;By submitting your information you agree to the <a href=\"https:\/\/futureplc.com\/terms-conditions\/\" target=\"_blank\">Terms &amp; Conditions<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/futureplc.com\/privacy-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\">Privacy Policy<\/a> and are aged 16 or over.&#8221;,&#8221;successMessage&#8221;:{&#8220;body&#8221;:&#8221;Thank you for signing up. 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He was fine. Then a couple of weeks later I received a text from a friend sending me condolences. I replied, \u2018What happened?\u2019 And my friend goes, \u2018He died. He passed.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe feeling was similar to when Randy passed away \u2013 that dead void; that emptiness. It took me a few days to analyze what I was feeling. Since Randy\u2019s passing in 1982 I\u2019ve had family members who passed, but those was natural causes and expected. Randy and Ozzy had a different effect on me.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOzzy, Randy and Sharon are the three main people who changed my life. I went from sleeping on the floor of Kevin DuBrow\u2019s apartment to passing the audition with Ozzy and moving in with Sharon\u2019s family.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>You\u2019ve often talked about how welcoming Ozzy was.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe opened up his suitcase because I didn\u2019t have any clothes to wear, and said, \u2018Take whatever you want.\u2019 The kindness never stopped.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 18: The mother of Randy Rhoads, Delores Rhoads, along with rockers (L-R) Zakk Wylde, Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, Sharon Osbourne and Rudy Sarzo attend the ceremony in which former guitarist Randy Rhoads was honored posthumously and inducted into the Hollywood Rockwalk on March 18, 2004 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zEYNQ2YV7v2YhcvJXJJvNM.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zEYNQ2YV7v2YhcvJXJJvNM.jpg\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><figcaption><span class=\"caption-text\">Sarzo, right, with the Osbournes and others during Randy Rhoads\u2019 (misspelled) Hollywood Rockwalk induction in 2004 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Frazer Harrison\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>You hadn\u2019t seen him for some time before the Birmingham show. Was there time to reconnect?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe was busy rehearsing when we arrived; the following day we all had soundcheck, then it was show day. It was jam-packed. So the only time I got to spend with Ozzy was at the big photoshoot with Ross Halfin. And everybody was there, so time was limited.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was basically having a little face-to-face and thanking him for everything he did for me. I got to spend more time with Sharon because she didn\u2019t have to deal with rehearsals. We got to reminisce.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd the soundcheck day, July 4, was their wedding anniversary. My wife and I, I think, were the only people there who were also at Ozzy and Sharon\u2019s wedding in Maui. So we were reminiscing about that, the big stadium shows we did with Randy, and all the wonderful times that we had together.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>How did your all-star jam with Nuno Bettencourt go?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere were no egos, no drama, just a lot of love. We played as a celebration. <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.guitarworld.com\/tag\/tom-morello\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.guitarworld.com\/tag\/tom-morello\">Tom Morello<\/a> did a wonderful job putting the bands together. I am so glad to have represented the Randy era of Ozzy\u2019s band.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>What did you think of the Ozzy and Sabbath sets?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was waiting for his solo set. It was the first time he showed up on stage. And let me put it this way: I got it. I understood it. The whole event was a celebration of Ozzy and Black Sabbath \u2013 a celebration of our generation of music. I understood Ozzy\u2019s condition, but when he opened his mouth and started singing, I was in awe. I told my wife, \u2018We\u2019re witnessing a miracle here.\u2019<\/p>\n<figure>\n<blockquote class=\"vanilla-quoteblock\">\n<p>I was thinking, \u2018Ozzy could have his pick of friends \u2013 but his best friend sells vegetables.\u2019 That was his humanity<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<p>\u201cHe wasn\u2019t well, you know? For him to sing at that level and sound so great \u2013 I got chills. I couldn\u2019t believe it. And as he kept going he got a bit stronger, and the audience carried him. You could feel the love from everybody in the stadium.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen he did the Black Sabbath set, I knew it was a moment that would never recreate itself again. I\u2019m so glad that it\u2019s been captured. And there\u2019s a lot of fan footage on YouTube, so no one can claim anyone fixed the sound. That\u2019s Ozzy singing right there on the spot.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Did it surprise you that he was able to rise to the occasion?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cHaving been on the road with Ozzy for two tours, I understand what motivated him. When he had to do something, he always worked himself up to the moment and then delivered beyond expectation.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"NEW YORK, NY - [JULY 1983]: Rudy Sarzo, bass player of Quiet Riot performing at club The Ritz on JULY 1983 in New York City. (Photo by Bill Tompkins\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HTuMcLtZqDBgDmfzQtWJDN.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HTuMcLtZqDBgDmfzQtWJDN.jpg\" class=\"lazyload\" \/><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Bill Tompkins\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cI got the text for this event back in October 2024. By the time the show was performed, it had been two years in the making. I knew that, so I knew Ozzy was gonna make it. I felt like, \u2018He\u2019s gonna work himself up to it, just like he did when I was in the band.\u2019 I was not surprised when he did it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>After having some time to reflect, how are you feeling now?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe experienced the gift, which gave us hope. It was like, \u2018Look what Ozzy did. Maybe this is a turning point in his health.\u2019 And then, boom, he passes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt took me a few days of soul searching to realize, \u2018This is pretty much how I felt with Randy.\u2019 The difference is that, with Randy, it was a traumatic experience with the plane crash. With Ozzy it was a bit different \u2013 we knew he had Parkinson\u2019s and that he wasn\u2019t doing well.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ozzy\u2019s death, if only for a moment, gave the world pause. Why do you think that happened?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile I was on tour with him, I witnessed how he remained a common man. He was a bit low \u2013 he told Sharon, \u2018I\u2019m missing home and my friends.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSharon goes, \u2018Okay, let me bring one of your friends over, and have him on the bus with us.\u2019 He was a very nice guy. After a couple of days I asked, \u2018What do you do for a living?\u2019 He says, \u2018I sell vegetables on the side of the road.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was thinking, \u2018This is Ozzy Osbourne. He\u2019s been with Black Sabbath. He could have his pick of friends \u2013 but his best friend sells vegetables.\u2019 That gave me the whole picture of Ozzy\u2019s humanity.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt wasn\u2019t about what you do, but who you are as a human being that he gravitated to. No matter how famous he got, he was still just Ozzy.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rudy Sarzo remains justifiably proud of the music he made with Ozzy Osbourne in the early \u201880s \u2013 but equally important is the kindness he received at the time from Ozzy and wife Sharon. Taking part in Black Sabbath\u2019s Back to the Beginning farewell show in July was, of course, a no-brainer. But Sarzo says [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":23765,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23764","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/guitarmadrid.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23764","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/guitarmadrid.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/guitarmadrid.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guitarmadrid.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23764"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/guitarmadrid.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23764\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23766,"href":"https:\/\/guitarmadrid.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23764\/revisions\/23766"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guitarmadrid.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23765"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/guitarmadrid.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23764"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guitarmadrid.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23764"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/guitarmadrid.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23764"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}