SYSTEM OF A DOWN Pays Tribute To OZZY OSBOURNE: “Our Musical Godfather”

In the wake of Ozzy Osbourne‘s passing, the members of System Of A Down have shared heartfelt and often humorous memories of the heavy metal icon, each capturing a different facet of the man who helped shape their careers and lives. From reverence and gratitude to laughter and surreal moments, their tributes are a vivid testament to the depth of Ozzy‘s influence — not just as a legend, but as a deeply human and memorable presence in their journey.

Daron Malakian, guitarist and founding member, reflected on a deeply personal moment with his idol: “If you can see my face and my eyes in this pic you can see that I felt like I was in a dream. That’s because as a kid Ozzy was such a big deal for me he actually appeared in my dreams. I was only 22 or 23 yrs old when this pic was taken, so I was still a kid. But I was living my dream standing next to the guy I idolized my whole life. RIP Ozzy. You meant everything to me.”

Malakian‘s words echo a familiar story in the rock and metal world: Ozzy was larger than life, a figure whose voice and presence loomed over the genre for decades.

Shavo Odadjian kept his tribute simple and raw: “I’m heartbroken and speechless. Condolences to the Osbourne family. Rest in Peace my friend.”

His brevity spoke volumes, reflecting the kind of silent awe and grief that only comes with losing someone who felt immortal. Frontman Serj Tankian offered a thoughtful and poetic tribute, highlighting Ozzy‘s pivotal role in launching System Of A Down onto the global stage: “Ozzy was our musical Godfather inducting us into the world of Ozzfest as a young band. He was always funny with a disdain for hypocrisy, a quality I will forever admire and cherish.”

System Of A Down‘s breakthrough in the late ’90s came largely thanks to Ozzfest — the touring metal festival created by Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne. Giving young, boundary-pushing bands a chance to play to massive crowds, the tour was a rite of passage. For System Of A Down, it was more than just exposure — it was validation from a pioneer they revered. Tankian‘s admiration for Ozzy‘s refusal to conform and his sharp wit reflects a deep creative alignment between the two artists.

Drummer John Dolmayan added a touch of humor with his tribute, recalling a moment only Ozzy could make unforgettable: “He made fun of me for wiping sitting down, my fondest memory of this kind man who was an icon.”

It’s an oddly perfect reflection of Ozzy‘s legacy: equal parts irreverent and endearing. That small, funny memory shows a side of Ozzy many closest to him knew well — a man who could make you laugh, even while standing at the peak of metal royalty.