BOB DAISLEY Looks Back On The Good Times With OZZY OSBOURNE

Bob Daisley, the legendary bassist who played a key role in launching Ozzy Osbourne‘s solo career, has shared heartfelt thoughts following Ozzy‘s death on July 22, 2025. While their relationship was often complicated — and at times downright bitter — Daisley says he’s choosing to focus on the “good stuff” and the many moments of creativity, humor, and friendship they shared.

Daisley, who was Ozzy‘s original bassist after the singer’s split from Black Sabbath, was instrumental in crafting much of Ozzy‘s early solo material. Not only did he play bass, but he also wrote lyrics for many of Ozzy‘s most enduring songs, helping to define the sound of albums like Blizzard of Ozz in 1980, Diary of a Madman in 1981, and later records including No Rest for the Wicked in 1988 and No More Tears in 1991.

But behind the scenes, the partnership was anything but smooth. Daisley and guitarist Lee Kerslake famously sued Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne over unpaid royalties and missing songwriting credits.

In the early 2000s, tensions escalated when Sharon oversaw controversial reissues of Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman that replaced Daisley and Kerslake‘s original bass and drum tracks with newly recorded parts — a move widely criticized by fans and seen as a deliberate snub. The original recordings were eventually restored after backlash, but the legal and personal scars between Daisley and the Osbourne camp never fully healed.

Despite these long-standing disputes, Daisley told Johnny Beane in a recent interview that Ozzy‘s passing hit him hard: “That’s all very sad. The day that I found out that Ozzy had gone, it brought tears to my eyes, I tell you. Just because all the good memories came flooding back, all the good stuff, you know? The creativity, the laugh, the humor, the good times, all came flooding back.”

Ozzy‘s final public appearance came just 17 days before his death, when he took part in the Back to the Beginning concert in Birmingham. The event celebrated his life and career, closing with members of the original Black Sabbath lineup performing classic songs together for one last time.

Daisley was also asked about Ozzy‘s reputation as “the ultimate prankster,” and he didn’t hesitate to agree: “Yeah, he was. We all had fun together. There was a lot of fun in that music. And I think, if you’re enjoying it and having a good time and having fun doing it, that comes out in the music. And certainly, [it’s] an important ingredient.”

While Daisley‘s relationship with Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne was fraught with legal battles and public disputes, his contributions to Ozzy‘s music are undeniable. As the bassist, lyricist, and creative collaborator behind some of the most iconic songs in Ozzy‘s catalog, Daisley‘s work helped define the Prince of Darkness‘s solo career.

In mourning Ozzy‘s loss, Daisley is choosing to remember the laughter, the camaraderie, and the sheer joy of creating timeless heavy metal together — a reminder that even the most complicated partnerships can leave behind moments worth treasuring. Which makes perfect sense considering Daisley‘s comments at the time of Ozzy Osbourne‘s death.