Jack Osbourne asks Britain to mark first anniversary of Ozzy’s death with happy memories
A year on from the death of the Prince of Darkness, Jack Osbourne has issued a heartfelt plea to fans: do not weep, but share your stories. The 40-year-old son of the Black Sabbath legend took to Instagram this week to admit he does not yet know how the anniversary will affect him. But he has one clear wish for July 22: that it be a day of celebration, not mourning.
“This month has been really just ups and downs for me, a mixed, mixed bag of emotions,” Jack said in a video posted online. “A lot of people have asked me, you know, what my plan is for the 22nd. Am I gonna do anything? And I don’t know. This is the first time for me. This is the first one year.”
Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of Black Sabbath, died on July 22 last year at the age of 76, surrounded by his wife Sharon and their children. His cause of death was later confirmed as an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and Parkinson’s disease with autonomic dysfunction. The news sent shockwaves through the music world, but Jack has now asked the public to focus on the man, not the tragedy.
What Jack Osbourne wants from fans on Ozzy Day
In his video, Jack outlined a simple request. “Here’s what I want,” he said. “I would like anyone who’s listening to this, anyone who feels compelled, anyone who just wants to share a story about my dad to share a story. Whether it’s the first time you listened to his music, the first time you saw him play live, or a time you saw him play live that stood out to you, or had an actual encounter with him, or whether you just want to talk about what his music meant to you.”
He added: “That’s what I want. I want to fill the entire day of July 22 with just awesome Ozzy stories. So yeah, that’s my ask.” Jack urged his followers to “get thinking, get posting, spread the love,” insisting that this is exactly how his father would want to be remembered. “He would not want us to all be sat around shedding tears because that’s not his vibe. He did not like people crying in front of him.”
Fans respond with personal tributes to the Prince of Darkness
The response was immediate. Followers flooded the comments section with their own memories. American singer Carnie Wilson wrote: “My fav thing about your Dad was that he demanded kisses on his lips. Every. Single. Time. Sweetest thing ever. I know you miss him. Our Dads passed one month apart. Unreal. Love you.”
For many Britons of a certain generation, Ozzy Osbourne remains a towering figure — a man who helped define heavy metal and then reinvented himself as a reality TV star. His journey from the industrial streets of Birmingham to global fame is a story of grit, talent, and survival. Jack’s call for a day of shared memories taps into that deep well of affection.
Why this matters for British culture
In an age where public grief is often staged or sanitised, Jack’s raw honesty is refreshing. He admits he does not know how he will feel. He asks for nothing more than stories. It is a very British way to mourn: quietly, with a nod to the past, and a determination to keep the spirit alive. For the Osbourne family, this is not about spectacle. It is about remembering a man who, for all his wild antics, was first and foremost a father.
As July 22 approaches, fans across the country are being invited to join in. Whether you saw Black Sabbath at the Birmingham Odeon in 1970 or watched The Osbournes on MTV, Jack wants to hear from you. “Get thinking, get posting, spread the love,” he said. It is a simple request, but one that speaks volumes about the bond between a son and his legendary father.