King Charles III may rule the United Kingdom, but for many, Ozzy Osbourne will forever remain the Prince of Darkness. Following the rock legend’s passing on July 22, The Army Band Performs Black Sabbath Cover in Honor of King Charles’ Friend Ozzy Osbourne, paying tribute to his remarkable life and legacy.
A Royal Tribute at Buckingham Palace
During a recent Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, the red-coated Royal Army musicians gathered in formation, delivering a powerful instrumental rendition of Black Sabbath’s classic hit “Paranoid.” Conducted with precision, the brass and woodwind sections carried the melody, backed by the sharp rhythm of snare drums. Originally released in 1970, the track climbed to No. 61 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of the band’s most enduring songs.
Remembering a Rock Legend
The heartfelt tribute came just days after Osbourne’s death at the age of 76, shortly after performing his final concert. His family released a joint statement announcing the news, writing, “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
Fans and Family Pay Their Respects
In the days following his death, tributes to Osbourne flooded social media, with heartfelt messages from his former Black Sabbath bandmates and fans worldwide. On July 30, a funeral procession was held in his hometown of Birmingham, England. Thousands gathered along the streets to honor him, while his wife Sharon and their children Aimeé, Kelly, and Jack placed flowers on the Black Sabbath bridge — now adorned with countless tributes from grieving fans.
King Charles’ Musical Legacy
Since ascending the throne in May 2023 after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles has frequently used the Royal Army Band to celebrate music and culture. Earlier this July, the ensemble performed Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” in recognition of Pride Month.
This passion for music is something the King has openly shared, most notably through his Apple Music radio show, The King’s Music Room. In a statement released in March, he reflected, “Throughout my life, music has meant a great deal to me. It has that remarkable ability to bring happy memories, comfort us in times of sadness and take us to distant places. But perhaps, above all, it can lift our spirits to such a degree, and all the more so when it brings us together in celebration.”
