Sammy Hagar Opens Up About the Emotional Apology He Gave Ozzy Osbourne Before His Death
via Sammy Hagar / YouTube
Sammy Hagar, known to fans as the Red Rocker, recently opened up about a deeply personal moment connected to his appearance at Back to the Beginning, the all-star tribute concert honoring Ozzy Osbourne. Speaking to Loudwire, Hagar recalled how what should have been a proud onstage celebration turned into an emotional learning experience. His account shed light on the pressure and spontaneity that often come with live tributes — even for seasoned legends.
The event, held in Birmingham on July 5, 2025, marked Ozzy Osbourne’s final solo show and the official farewell of Black Sabbath. It was a night designed to celebrate the Prince of Darkness’ monumental influence on heavy metal. For Hagar, however, it became a bittersweet experience — one that left him wrestling with regret and eventually offering a heartfelt apology to Ozzy’s team backstage.
Hagar’s reflections offered fans a rare glimpse into the vulnerability behind rock’s larger-than-life personas. While audiences saw a joyous homage to one of music’s greatest icons, Hagar’s private moment of self-doubt revealed the human side of a performer paying tribute to a friend he admired deeply.
The Unprepared Moment on Stage
In the interview, Hagar admitted that his tribute performance didn’t go as planned. He was slated to perform Ozzy’s 1981 anthem “Flying High Again,” but backstage chaos and last-minute distractions left him underprepared. “By the time it’s time to go on, I’m backstage talking to somebody and I hear the guy yell, ‘Yeah, the Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar,’ and I’m going, ‘Holy s***,’” Hagar recalled. “I ran out, unprepared.”
That frantic moment led to what he described as an “on-stage stumble.” Determined not to rely on the teleprompter, Hagar tried to sing from memory — a choice that backfired when he forgot the first verse. Despite the slip, he powered through the song as the crowd cheered him on, unaware of how disappointed he felt in himself.
After stepping offstage, Hagar immediately sought out Ozzy’s crew to apologize. He confessed that he wished he had been more focused and respectful of the moment. To his relief, the response from Ozzy’s team was gracious. “They’re going, ‘Oh, don’t worry. You did what Ozzy probably would have done,’” Hagar said, recalling their attempt to comfort him.
A Night of Rock Royalty
Hagar’s emotional admission came from a night that was nothing short of historic. Back to the Beginning wasn’t just a concert — it was a farewell gathering for the man who helped define heavy metal. The event’s lineup read like a rock festival dream: Metallica, Alice in Chains, Mastodon, and Yungblud were among those who performed to honor Osbourne’s enduring legacy.
Ozzy.com described the concert as both a farewell and a celebration, bringing together artists who grew up idolizing the Black Sabbath frontman. The performances spanned decades of rock and metal influence, from classic hits to modern interpretations of Osbourne’s catalog. Fans traveled from around the world to witness what would become a defining night in metal history.
One of the evening’s most talked-about moments was the collaboration between Mastodon, Gojira’s Joe Duplantier, and Iggor Cavalera for a thunderous Black Sabbath cover. The collaboration reflected just how far-reaching Ozzy’s influence stretched, bridging generations of musicians who all owed part of their sound to him.
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Honoring the Prince of Darkness
For many in attendance, Back to the Beginning symbolized closure — a final bow to one of music’s most resilient and influential figures. After years of health battles, Ozzy Osbourne’s decision to hold his final concert in Birmingham carried deep emotional weight. It was a return to his roots, where the story of Black Sabbath first began, and where it would now come full circle.
The emotional tone of the event resonated with performers and fans alike. For Sammy Hagar, that emotion manifested as both admiration and regret. His apology wasn’t about perfection — it was about respect. In his mind, the least he could do was honor Ozzy’s legacy with sincerity, even if the performance itself didn’t go as smoothly as planned.
In the end, Hagar’s candid reflection captured the heart of what Back to the Beginning truly represented: the humanity behind the legends. It wasn’t just about flawless musicianship but about connection, humility, and saying goodbye to one of rock’s greatest icons with love, honesty, and authenticity.
