The opening night of David Lee Rothās summer/fall U.S. tour took a poignant turn when the legendary frontman paused to honor an old friend and fellow icon. In front of a packed crowd, Roth acknowledged the passing of Ozzy Osbourne, delivering a heartfelt tribute that blended humor, history, and rock ānā roll camaraderie.
š¤ A Friendship Born on the Road
Roth took the audience back to 1978, when Van Halen opened for Black Sabbath on their first international tour. Those weeks in the U.K. werenāt just a career milestoneāthey marked the beginning of a bond between two of rockās most unforgettable voices.
“I didn’t even know there were 22 cities in the United Kingdom,” Roth joked. āAnd Ozzy Osbourne and I became very, very good friends on that tour. And the sad news is that he has departed, OK?ā
It was a rare glimpse of raw emotion from a man known for his flamboyant stage persona.
š» Laughter in Heavenāor Hell?
During his speech, Roth shared a story that perfectly captured his irreverent spirit:
“I once asked a Buddhist monk, ‘Do you think there’s laughter in heaven?’ And he told me, ‘No, I don’t think so.’ So, Ozzy Osbourne, save me a seat, and when I get to hell, we’ll have a drink, brother.”
The crowd eruptedāpart in laughter, part in reverence. It was a line that only Roth could deliver: a toast to a friend with the same fire and mischief that defined their music.
š„ A Tribute in Song
The tribute didnāt stop there. During the spoken word section of Van Halenās āHot for Teacherā, Roth raised a symbolic glass to the Prince of Darkness, letting the energy of the song carry the moment. Fans captured the scene on their phones, knowing they were witnessing a piece of rock history unfold live.
š¤ Legends Intertwined
The 1978 tour was more than a shared stageāit was the birth of relationships that shaped the sound of a generation. It was during that run that Tony Iommi and the late Eddie Van Halen began their lifelong friendship, a partnership built on mutual respect and a love for pushing boundaries.
Rothās tribute to Ozzy wasnāt just about a man. It was about an era, a brotherhood, and the way music binds souls together forever.
š Keeping the Flame Alive
As the cheers faded and the music roared back to life, one thing was clear: rock ānā roll doesnāt forget its heroes. David Lee Rothās words were more than a eulogyāthey were a promise to keep the spirit of Ozzy Osbourne alive in every riff, every scream, and every raised glass.
