April 2013
Black Sabbath – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Quite possibly the most iconic shot I’ve ever taken, and without question the most profitable. But the story behind it is just as legendary as the photo itself.
It was at Black Sabbath’s Melbourne show at Rod Laver Arena, and us photographers were being ushered into the photo pit by Black Sabbath’s tour manager. Before we even got near the stage, he pulled us aside and gave a deadpan warning: “Just so you know, Ozzy has a habit of flinging a full bucket of water over the front row. If your gear gets soaked, that’s on you. Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne accept no responsibility. Sign here.”
With that, we were handed a waiver. I signed it, adrenaline already kicking in, and made my way to the pit with one eye on Ozzy and my gear I now felt might be living on borrowed time. Truly tho, if I lose a $5,000 camera to water damage, fuck it, I’d have a story to tell!
The first song went by uneventfully as I was frantically in photographer mode, snapping away with a grin you could see from the moon! But halfway through the second, I saw it. Ozzy, grinning like a lunatic, walked over to the side of the stage and grabbed the infamous bucket. I could feel him moving toward us, stage right, no more than five feet from my shoulder. I glanced over and saw the photographer next to me fiddling with his camera, oblivious. I nudged him hard. “He’s coming. Get ready.”
And then came the misdirection.
Instead of launching the water into the pit or onto the crowd, Ozzy stopped dead in his tracks, raised the bucket above his own head, and drenched himself like a man on fire. He whipped his hair back with force, sending an explosion of water droplets into the air, and just for a second, time seemed to freeze. I knew before I could even check, I had the shot. I knew it as I felt the connection between myself and camera and dear God, the lights! I got the shot!
The stage lights caught the spray like a spotlight through mist. The droplets crystallized mid-air. His expression was wild, primal, completely unfiltered Ozzy. And I snapped the shutter.
I knew immediately. I had the shot.
It was raw, visceral, electric. One of those moments you don’t just capture, you feel.
Some of the outtakes are hilarious too. Tony Iommi is absolutely losing it, cracking up in the background at the soggy spectacle Ozzy had just become. I’ll have to post those sometime.
But that one image is the one. It has lived on covers of Sabbath bootleg albums, prints, and the Smithsonian book of Rock and Roll as well as living in the Smithsonian Museum forevermore.. And every time I see it, I go right back to that night, that bucket, that snap of perfect timing, and the chaos only Ozzy could conjure.
RIP OZZY!
1948 – 2025
TONY IOMMI
“I just can’t believe it! My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park. It’s just such heartbreaking news that I can’t really find the words, there won’t ever be another like him. Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother. My thoughts go out to Sharon and all the Osbourne family. Rest in peace Oz.”
GEEZER BUTLER
“Goodbye dear friend- thanks for all those years- we had some great fun. 4 kids from Aston- who’d have thought, eh? So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.”
BILL WARD
“Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls … no, you’re forever in my heart.”
SHARON OSBOURNE
KING DIAMOND
BRUCE DICKINSON
LEE DORIAN
RANDY BLYTHE
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…”
RONNIE WOOD
“I am so very sad to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne … What a lovely goodbye concert he had at Back To The Beginning in Birmingham.”
ELTON JOHN
“He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods – a true legend. He was also one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love.”
KATATONIA
“Thank you Ozzy for being one of the very inventors of the music that we love and that we play. We owe you a lot! Rest easy.”
ROD STEWART
“Bye, bye Ozzy. Sleep well, my friend. I’ll see you up there – later rather than sooner.”
ROBERT PLANT
“Farewell Ozzy … what a journey … sail on up there … finally at peace … you truly changed the planet of rock!”
JUDAS PRIEST
“…our hearts are broken like millions around the world — words can’t express the love and loss we are all feeling.”
SCOTT IAN
“Peace, love and gratitude to one of the giants, one of the actual architects of the genre, one of the originals. The King,” he wrote. “We were with him in Birmingham just over a week ago talking about how incredible Back to the Beginning was. Ozzy was in a great mood, laughing and cracking us up.”
PANTERA
“Thank you for all that you did for metal & Pantera. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.”
DURAN DURAN
MIKE McCREADY
“When I was in high school I discovered Sabbath. ‘War Pigs’ was terrifying and mesmerizing at the same time. It was Ozzy’s voice that took me away to a dark universe. A great escape. Then when The ‘Blizzard of Ozz’ record came out I was instantly a fan. Randy Rhoads was an influence on me to play lead guitar. Luckily I got to play on the song ‘Immortal’ on the last record. Thanks for the music, Ozzy it makes our journey in life better.”
YUNGBLOOD
“I didn’t think you would leave so soon the last time we met you were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room. But as it is written with legends, they seem to know the things that we don’t. I will never forget you – you will be in every single note I sing and with me every single time I walk on stage. Your cross around my neck is the most precious thing I own. You asked me once if there was anything you could do for me and as I said then and as I will say now for all of us the music was enough. You took us on your adventure – an adventure that started it all.
I am truly heartbroken. You were the greatest of all time.”
JONATHAN DAVIS
“This man meant the world to me. He was one of my musical hero’s and did so much for me personally and for korn. I’m going to miss our little chats. My heart goes out to @sharonosbourne and the family. Rest in peace my brother. Your memory and what you have done for music will live forever.”
NANCY WILSON
“He invented a brand of music in melodic major keys bringing light into the darkness of metal. Beautiful soul. Rest in rock splendor.”
MIKE BORDIN
“It’s hard to put into words the impact this Man has had on my life, career, and family. Grateful from the bottom of my heart for every single moment along the way … Thank you for what you gave us, which is everything you had.”
FLAVOR FLAV
“Man… real heart broken over the passing of OZZY OSBOURNE,,, we go way back and it was a real honor to watch him get inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame lasst year. Sending my love and prayers to Sharon and his kids and whole family. RIP”
DEE SNIDER
“Farewell Ozzy! You and your bands changed my life. Thank you for the ride.”
GENE SIMMONS
“Sad to report Ozzy has passed away. He was a giant. Admired and loved by millions of fans worldwide. Prayers and condolences go out to the Osborne family.”
METALLICA
“It’s impossible to put into words what Ozzy Osbourne has meant to Metallica. Hero, icon, pioneer, inspiration, mentor, and, most of all, friend are a few that come to mind. Ozzy and Sharon believed in us and transformed our lives and careers.
“He taught us how to play in the big leagues while at the same time being warm, welcoming, engaging, and all around brilliant. We are heartbroken and devastated by this loss and send our love and condolences to Sharon and their family, bandmates, and his very large circle of friends. He left an incredible legacy and will be sorely missed.”
PAUL STANLEY
“We have lost a legend. From Sabbath to Blizzard and onward, Ozzy has impacted countless bands, and that will not end. Kiss was humbled to be an opening band for Sabbath in the mid-70s. Through the decades I’ve known him, Ozzy has always been a kind and very funny soul. Fly high now.”
ASTON VILLA FC
“Aston Villa Football Club is saddened to learn that world-renowned rockstar and Villan, Ozzy Osbourne, has passed away. Growing up in Aston, not far from Villa Park, Ozzy always held a special connection to the club and the community he came from. The thoughts of everyone at Aston Villa are with his wife Sharon, his family, friends, and countless fans at this extremely difficult time. Rest in peace, Ozzy.”
STEVE VAI
“I had the great privilege of working with Ozzy in my studio for three months back in the 90s. He was sharp, he knew what he liked and knew what he didn’t like, he worked hard and he was absolutely the funniest person I ever met. I can’t imagine what the metal landscape would have been like if not for him.
“Sharon was the air that he breathed. My deep condolences to the family.
“You so delivered, dear Prince of Darkness. You were always filled with such a bright light, and we are grateful.”
SCORPIONS
Rock group Black Sabbath arrives in Sydney on 12 January 1973..
SMH NEWS Picture by B. GILMOUR
JOE ELLIOT
“Kinda lost for words here. We toured with Ozzy in 1981 and he, the band and Sharon were so supportive. He always had time for a chat, took us under his wing and showed us how and how not to party, and played us the second album months before it came out.
“He was funny, charming and I, for one, am eternally grateful to have had the chance to spend precious time with him over the years. All my love to Sharon and the kids.. God bless you, Ozzy.”
IRON MAIDEN
“Everyone connected with Iron Maiden sends their sincere condolences to Sharon & the Osbourne Family on the sad announcement of Ozzy’s passing. He helped shape heavy metal as we know it and we will be forever grateful to Black Sabbath for forging the path that so many followed. RIP Ozzy Osbourne.”
BOB DAISLEY
“This is a sad day and it has brought me to tears. When I reminisce about Ozzy’s and my times together, I think about the fun, the laughs and of course what we created together musically, which will live much longer than these mortal bodies that we inhabit. My condolences to everyone who you’ve left behind, Ozzy. Nothing can change the true friendship that we once had; I’ll see you ‘on the other side’.”
JON BON JOVI
“Much love to Sharon and the beautiful Osbourne Family. So sorry to hear of your loss. Rest easy, Ozzy.”
ANTHRAX
“Like so many around the world, today’s news hit us with truly insane shock and sadness. Just over two weeks ago, we were all united in metal under Ozzy’s banner at Back to Beginning; celebrating the legend of Black Sabbath and their ultimate creation: heavy metal. For Anthrax to be a part of that was an honor. Ozzy, thank you for everything. Simply put, none of us would be us without you. Our thoughts are with Sharon and the Osbourne family at this time.”
ZAKK WYLDE
“Thank you for blessing the world with your kindness and greatness, Oz. You brought light into so many lives and made the world a better place. You lived with the heart of a lion. I thank the good lord every day for blessing my life with you in it. I love you, Oz, beyond forever.”
LINDA BLAIR
“It is with deepest sadness and shock to hear the news of Ozzy Osbourne’s passing. I was just with Sharon, Jack, and Kelly — their vibrant personalities so full of life, embracing and holding sacred the groundbreaking work Ozzy gave to the world. Ozzy’s love and support for my work — in both film and animal welfare — never went unnoticed. You changed and rocked the world, my friend. You weren’t just a pioneer in music — you were a force of nature who redefined an entire generation of sound and spirit. You truly changed music history, and you will be greatly missed. Rest in peace”
TOMMY ALDRIDGE
“It’s with a very heavy heart that I say goodbye to my friend and brother, Ozzy Osbourne. Ozzy wasn’t just a force in music—he was one of the most iconic and fearless artists to ever walk the stage. His voice, his presence, and his spirit were truly one of a kind. I had the honor of sharing the road and the stage with him, and I’ll always carry those memories close to my heart.To his family, friends, and all the fans around the world who loved him—my deepest condolences. The world lost a legend, but his legacy will live on through every note, every lyric, and every heart he touched. Rest in peace, Oz. You were larger than life, and your light will never fade.”
PAT BOONE
“I am stunned. I can’t believe that my former next-door neighbor and good friend has passed suddenly. When he and Sharon and the kids lived next-door to me for a couple of years, we weren’t rock stars comparing careers – we were just friends and neighbors getting along just fine. I was amazed when Sharon picked my version of Ozzy‘s “Crazy Train” as the opening theme of their hugely successful reality TV show. Others may celebrate his incredible rocking style and hard rock music – but I’ll always remember his warm friendliness as my next-door neighbor. God bless you, Ozzy.”
IAN GILLAN
“Dear Ozzy,
I can’t help smiling, even now.
You improved my life,
Thanks mate.”
