The Final Word of the Prince of Darkness: Ozzy Osbourne’s Last Book Last Rites Is Released
In early 2026, the book Last Rites will be released in Spain — the final memoir of Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic musician, Black Sabbath frontman, and one of the key figures in the history of heavy metal. The Spanish edition, titled Últimos Ritos, will go on sale on January 8, 2026, and is set to become a major event not only for the artist’s fans, but for rock culture as a whole.
Work on the book was completed shortly before the musician’s death in July 2025. In these memoirs, Ozzy Osbourne speaks in detail and with striking honesty about the last years of his life — a period that proved to be both the most difficult and the most reflective of his career. The author makes no attempt to embellish reality, openly addressing his severe health decline, the consequences of multiple surgeries, and life with Parkinson’s disease, which ultimately forced him to completely step away from touring.
A significant part of the book is devoted to Osbourne’s personal life. He reflects on his marriage to Sharon Osbourne, the role of his family in his fate, and how the support of loved ones helped him endure physical pain and psychological pressure. These passages add emotional depth to the book, transforming it from a simple chronicle of events into a deeply personal confession.
The memoir also includes recollections of key encounters and friendships with legendary figures in rock music. Last Rites mentions Lemmy Kilmister, Keith Moon, Bon Scott, John Bonham, as well as musicians of later generations, including Slash. These stories help complete the portrait of an era and underscore the scale of Osbourne’s influence on the global music scene.
An important section of the book is dedicated to Ozzy Osbourne’s final performance. It focuses on the concert Back to the Beginning, which took place on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham — the hometown of Black Sabbath. The show marked the artist’s official farewell to the stage and featured a performance by the band’s original lineup, along with appearances by guest musicians. Osbourne himself describes this concert as an emotional full stop in his career, after which he definitively decided never to perform live again.
Just weeks after that performance, on July 22, 2025, Ozzy Osbourne passed away at the age of 76. His death was the result of a long battle with serious illnesses, which he had openly discussed in recent years. In this context, Last Rites reads as a farewell statement — calm, honest, and devoid of any pathos.
The memoir was written by Osbourne in collaboration with writer Chris Ayres, who had previously worked with the musician. The English-language edition received high praise from critics and readers alike for its candor, dark humor, and lack of self-censorship. Throughout the book, Ozzy repeatedly emphasizes that, despite mistakes, addictions, and destructive periods, he would not change his life even if given the chance.
The release of Last Rites firmly cements Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy not only as one of the founders of heavy metal, but also as an artist who found the courage to honestly sum up his own life. This book stands as the logical conclusion to the journey of a man whose name will forever remain part of music history.
