Zakk Wylde speaks publicly for the first time about Ozzy Osbourne’s death, recalling his friend’s toughness and “heart of gold.”

The guitarist remembers Osbourne’s determination to push through vocal struggles and his refusal to quit, even during his final Birmingham, England, show.

Wylde never imagined that July performance would be their last together after nearly four decades as bandmates and close friends.

From the time he joined Ozzy Osbourne’s band in 1987 until Osbourne’s death in July, Zakk Wylde was not only the guitarist for the Prince of Darkness but his close friend and collaborator. Even when Wylde was off fronting his own band, Black Label Society, or doing his solo stuff, the two remained good friends.

Since Osbourne’s passing two weeks after the triumphant “Back to th

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