Celine Dion Pays Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne: ‘A True Original’

Celine Dion is the latest artist to share a heartfelt tribute following the death of heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne, honoring the late Black Sabbath frontman as “fearless” and “larger than life.”

Dion remembered her fellow labelmate in a touching social media post, writing: “I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Ozzy Osbourne. Ozzy and I were label mates for many years – and although we came from very different musical universes, I always admired his boundless spirit and ear for melody on songs like ‘Mama, I’m Coming Home’. He was a true original! Fearless, and simply larger than life… but also kind, thoughtful and generous.”

Osbourne passed away on July 22 at age 76. A statement from his family confirmed the rock legend died “surrounded by love.” His death followed decades of health struggles, including a Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2020.

Osbourne’s funeral procession was held in Birmingham on July 30, where thousands of fans gathered along Broad Street to pay their respects. A brass band led the cortege with renditions of “Iron Man” and “Crazy Train” as his wife Sharon and children Jack, Kelly and Aimee accompanied the hearse. Kelly Osbourne was seen wearing her father’s signature purple-tinted sunglasses, while Sharon held his wedding ring on a chain around her neck.

The final public performance of Ozzy’s career took place just weeks earlier on July 5 at Birmingham’s Back to the Beginning show — a combined farewell solo and Black Sabbath concert. That show is now set to be immortalized in a concert film by Mercury Studios, arriving in 2026, with proceeds from the event supporting charities including Cure Parkinson’s and Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Tributes have continued to pour in from across the music world, including fellow Black Sabbath members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward, along with artists such as Elton John, Billie Joe Armstrong, Alice Cooper, Zakk Wylde, Coldplay, Ghost’s Tobias Forge, Yungblud, Pat Boone and Adam Sandler.

Fans have also launched Change.org petitions calling for Birmingham Airport and a Download Festival stage to be renamed in his honor, with one petition surpassing 52,000 signatures in less than a week.

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