Metallica and former Ozzy Osbourne bassist Robert Trujillo has shared a moving tribute to the Prince Of Darkness, and said that he will be attending his funeral.
The heavy metal pioneer and Black Sabbath frontman died last Tuesday (July 22) at age 76. In a statement, his family shared that he was “surrounded by love” at the time of his passing.
Among the countless names he worked with in his extensive career was Robert Trujillo, who is now mainly known as the bassist in Metallica. He worked with the heavy metal godfather during the early days of his career, joining Osbourne as the bassist for his solo group, and the Black Sabbath frontman also helped give a platform to Trujillo’s band Infectious Grooves.
The bassist has now spoken out about what the time working with Osbourne meant to him, and shared a touching tribute that pays respect to the music icon.
In the photo, Trujillo is seen holding up a tour programme that shows him and Osbourne together, and he shared in the caption that he would be heading to the UK to attend the singer’s funeral.
“Ozzy was the conduit for so many new relationships both creative collaborations and real, lasting friendships,” he shared. “Because of Oz, Infectious Grooves was able to tour back in ’91 as a brand-new band and at the time, it wasn’t even really a band, just some fun songs we had recorded. We weren’t ready to hit the road, but he made us step up and make it happen.”
He also recalled how the singer once “demanded we open for him on the ‘Theater of Madness’ tour”, and would share kind words about his skills on the bass.
“Ozzy was a humble man and sometimes so honest it hurt, but his sense of humour made everything absolutely amazing. Touring with Ozzy and Zakk was always a wild adventure. Those two together… it was a crazy, awesome rollercoaster,” he added. “We’re all so thankful for his heart and soul.
“Ozzy and Black Sabbath were and still are the soundtrack to our lives. The inspiration they gave us is beyond words. The first real alternative rock band, in my opinion.”
He concluded the post by saying that “Ozzy gave us everything he had in his final days”, and added that it was an “honour” for Metallica to have joined him at his final show in Birmingham at the start of the month.
With his post, Trujillo joins the countless fans and famous faces who have shared tributes to the ‘Crazy Train’ singer – including Zak Starkey, Adam Sandler, Ghost’s Tobias Forge, Alice Cooper, Elton John, Yungblud, Billie Joe Armstrong, Jack White, Coldplay, Gojira and Jake E Lee. Touching messages have also been shared by Ozzy’s Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler.
A funeral cortege will be taking place today (July 30) in Ozzy’s Birmingham hometown, and will offer fans in the city a chance to pay their respects to the heavy metal pioneer.
It will travel along the city centre’s Broad Street from 1pm BST and make its way to the Black Sabbath Bridge and bench, where thousands have come together to leave flowers and messages in tribute to the artist.
It will take place ahead of a private funeral, and local musicians Bostin’ Brass will accompany the procession.
A book of condolence has been made available in the city, allowing fans to write their own messages about what the singer meant to them. People have queued extensively to leave their respects in the book, including the city’s Lord Mayor.
Fans have also come together to call for both Birmingham Airport and a stage at Download Festival to be renamed after the late singer. A Change.org petition for the former got over 5,000 signees in less than two days, and currently stands at over 50,000 signatures.
Ozzy’s final show, ‘Back To The Beginning’, not only saw the band perform with some of the biggest names in rock, but it also brought in “a ton” for charities Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorns Children’s Hospice. A film documenting the gig is currently in production from Mercury Studios and is set to arrive in cinemas in 2026.
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