In a moving tribute to one of rock’s greatest icons, former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Jake E. Lee has revealed the final text message he received from the late Black Sabbath frontman—just weeks before Ozzy’s passing. The emotional exchange followed their first reunion in nearly 40 years at the monumental “Back To The Beginning” concert earlier this month, where the Prince of Darkness bid a thunderous farewell to his fans and collaborators.
Jake E. Lee, who played a pivotal role in Osbourne’s solo career during the 1980s, was an integral part of albums like *Bark at the Moon* (1983) and *The Ultimate Sin* (1986). Known for his explosive guitar style and fiery on-stage chemistry with Osbourne, the pair toured the world together before parting ways in 1987. After that, the two had little to no contact—until fate reunited them for one final night.
That night was July 5, 2025, in Birmingham, England—Ozzy’s hometown—where he shared the stage one last time with Lee and other rock legends for a farewell benefit concert. The event was curated by Tom Morello and featured performances by Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Alice In Chains, Tool, and more. The evening was equal parts celebration and farewell, an emotional swan song for a man whose influence shaped generations of rock and metal.
Speaking out in a Facebook post following Ozzy’s death on July 22, Jake E. Lee shared that he was still “processing” the loss. “The finality of it hits me in waves,” he wrote. Alongside that reflection, he posted a screenshot of the last text message he received from Osbourne, sent while Lee sat in an airport just two weeks earlier.
Ozzy’s message read:
> *”Hi Jake, I’m so sorry I couldn’t spend more time with you on the weekend but it was really chaotic. I would really like to see you when I eventually get back to LA just to shoot the shit. It’s been so long since we saw each other. Where are you living these days? The last I heard you were in Las Vegas. How did the gig go for you on Saturday? I really hope you had fun. Anyway, I will text you when I eventually get back to LA and we must hook up. Much love and respect. —Ozzy”*
Sadly, that reunion never came to be. Osbourne passed away at his home in Buckinghamshire despite desperate attempts by paramedics to save him. The news has left fans, friends, and collaborators across the globe mourning the loss of a man whose voice, energy, and spirit defined an era.
The Birmingham farewell event will live on as a concert film scheduled for release next year, featuring behind-the-scenes moments, intimate interviews, and footage from the electrifying performances. It stands as a tribute not only to Ozzy’s monumental career but to the relationships he formed with fellow artists like Jake E. Lee—bonds that, even after decades of silence, still held deep emotional meaning.
Lee’s own journey hasn’t been without hardship. He made headlines last year after surviving a shocking shooting incident outside his home in Las Vegas. Upon hearing the news, Ozzy expressed concern and shock, proving that even after decades apart, the bond between the two hadn’t fully faded. Their brief reunion this summer, and the text message that followed, now stand as a poignant reminder of music’s power to reconnect hearts.
As tributes pour in from legends like Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, Elton John, Alice Cooper, Ghost’s Tobias Forge, and Billie Joe Armstrong, it’s clear that Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy is one that transcends generations. His forthcoming posthumous memoir, *Last Rites*, is expected to further illuminate the man behind the myth.
For Jake E. Lee and many others, Ozzy’s final words were not those sung into a microphone, but typed quietly into a phone—simple, sincere, and brimming with the same warmth that made him a legend.
Rest in peace, Ozzy.
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