(The Center Square) — Despite no significant ties to the state other than playing a few concerts, Arizonans will now be observing an annual Ozzy Osbourne Day.
Since his death, Arizona Secretary of State of State Adrian Fontes signed a proclamation to make July 22nd Ozzy Day in The Grand Canyon State.
Fontes was acting governor at the time of the proclamation, but the Secretary of State did not respond to emails requesting comment about the day.
Phoenix New Times published a statement from Fontes saying that “recognizing Osbourne was not just about honoring a rock icon,” rather “acknowledging a voice that spoke to the soul of Arizona.”
The singer passed away from a heart attack on July 22nd, 2025. The former Black Sabbath front man battled artery disease and Parkinson’s.
For decades Osbourne and his music have been the focus of controversy from satanic lyrics to biting the head off a dead bat at a concert in the 1980s.
According to Fontes, Osbourne’s music “resonated with generations of Arizonans who found power in his defiance, honesty in his struggle, and freedom in his sound.”
David Moore, Operation Manager/Brand Content Director at Phoenix-based Classic Rock 100.7 KSLX, also appreciated Osbourne’s contributions.
“Arizona and Ozzy are connected via the numerous concerts Ozzy played solo and with Black Sabbath,” Moore told The Center Square in an email. “There is a Black Sabbath bootleg release from the Black Sabbath concert at the Celebrity Theatre in 1971. And they rocked Ak-Chin Pavilion (now Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre) on their The End tour in 2016.”
Moore said that he is “so happy the state decided to honor Ozzy.”
Osbourne – who also had a successful solo music career and a reality TV show with his wife and children — was 76 years old at the time of his death.
“From the steel mills of Birmingham to the deserts of our state, his impact crossed oceans and generations,” said Fontes in his statement published by Phoenix New Times. “At a time when issues like mental health, addiction, and veteran support demand our collective attention, Ozzy’s candor and courage remind us that real strength comes from being unapologetically yourself.”
