Tony Iommi has spoken publicly for the first time since Ozzy Osbourne’s passing and has reflected on Back to the Beginning farewell show, which took place weeks before his bandmate passed away.

Black Sabbath guitarist and co-founder Tony Iommi is speaking out further following Ozzy Osbourne's death, sharing that the legendary singer made it his mission to play in his farewell concert, which occurred just weeks before his death at age 76.

Tony Iommi has spoken for the first time since news of Ozzy Osbourne’s death broke on Tuesday. In a lengthy interview with ITV, the guitarist talked, movingly, about his shock at his bandmate’s seemingly sudden passing and about what happened immediately after the Back To The Beginning gig on 5 July.

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has said the loss of his bandmate Ozzy Osbourne is "like losing a brother". The pair, who met at school in Aston, Birmingham, before being catapulted into the limelight with Black Sabbath and forging the heavy metal genre, were best friends for 57 years.

The chemistry Ozzy Osbourne had with his beloved guitarist, Randy Rhoads, was undeniable, but their incredible collaborative relationship came to an end with a fiery tragedy that claimed three lives

Tony Iommi said he believed Ozzy Osbourne had clung to life to play his farewell show. The Black Sabbath singer died on July 22 at age 76, after the band’s Back to the Beginning event earlier in the month. He’d been fighting ill health for several years.

Liam and Noel Gallagher are the latest musicians to honor Ozzy Osbourne following his shocking death on Tuesday at 76. The rock star brothers paid an emotional tribute to the Prince of Darkness on Friday, July 25, during the first of seven Oasis shows at London’s Wembley Stadium.

Tony Iommi speaks about the shock of Ozzy Osbourne's death, his passion to put on one final show and remembers the singer's enduring qualities.

In Birmingham, England, the singer’s hometown, fans paid tribute by leaving flowers, beer and tequila. The rapper Drake was there to pay his respects, too.