Max Cavalera shared his memories with Ozzy Osbourne during an interview with 12News .
Max commented on Ozzy's personality [transcription via Blabbermouth ]: "Well, I met him around 1996, with my old band [ Sepultura ]. And at that time he didn't go out much."
He continued: “We were huge fans, we were all afraid of him. But after I broke up with my old band, I started my new band [ Soulfly ]. That was around the same time our son died here in Arizona… Ozzy and Sharon invited us to their house and we started hanging out with them more. When we did Ozzfest, our kids would play together. They would go to their house. But, yeah, like I said, I think the image of the wild guy and all that, the time I spent with him, I just found him very funny.”
Asked if he would describe Ozzy as “a pretty normal guy,” Max replied, “I think so. Because we hung out more backstage and things like that. And there was one time we were in Sweden and he asked me, ‘Where are we?’ He had no idea where he was. And I just loved that about him. It was like, ‘This is so cool. This guy, he’s so rock and roll. He just goes, and doesn’t even know what country he’s in.’”
Ozzy supported Max Cavalera during his most difficult times.
In a 2014 interview with the Phoenix New Times , Max recounted Ozzy and Sharon's kindness following the death of his stepson Dana : "We were playing in Donington at the Monsters Of Rock festival, and Ozzy and Sharon flew us home in their private jet when Dana died."
Gloria ’s [Max’s wife and manager] son had died. It was horrible. The whole time. It was so dark. I wanted to say something to Gloria, but the words wouldn’t come out of my mouth. Sharon talks about feeling like we needed a friend at that moment, and she was able to help us. They didn’t need to do anything. They were just putting on a show with us, and yet they showed their true colors. Someone else could have said, ‘I’m sorry for your loss,’ but they didn’t. They put us on their plane, gave us money, and gave Gloria a crucifix. It was incredible.”
“So, when I was kicked out of Sepultura, around January, we were invited to dinner at their house because Ozzy wanted to encourage me to continue. That’s how he felt, like he should do something. I went to their house and sat down. Ozzy said, ‘Fuck them. Fuck those guys. You need to get up and do something.’ It was incredible to hear that from him, and I needed to hear it. He played some Black Sabbath demos for me and I was blown away. It was incredible to hear that from him. I was tripping the whole time. I never imagined I would do that. You know, like when I was a kid in Brazil, if you had told me I was going to sit down with Ozzy from Black Sabbath, I wouldn’t have believed it.”
Ozzy Osbourne's death was "unexpected," according to tabloid.
Ozzy Osbourne, heavy metal icon and vocalist for Black Sabbath, died on Tuesday, July 22, at the age of 76.
According to the Daily Mail , a family friend said his death was "unexpected ." The Prince of Darkness passed away at his mansion in England. He spent his last days with his wife/businesswoman Sharon Osbourne and his daughters, Kelly and Aimee Osbourne, who cared for him, according to the tabloid.
Furthermore, according to the Daily Mail , a source close to the family stated that "Ozzy always intended to return to live in the United Kingdom, in Buckinghamshire."
“There was a lot of hope that he would remain alive for much longer. But at one point there was a fear that they wouldn’t be able to bring him from Los Angeles for his farewell performance earlier this month,” the friend reportedly said. “It’s extremely sad for all of them, who really hoped he would be able to stay alive for a while longer. But it’s very beautiful to know that he had his children by his side in his final days.”
The family confirmed Ozzy Osbourne's death through a statement [via The Guardian ]:
"It is with greater sadness than words can express that we have to inform you that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family's privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis."
The cause of death has not been released, although Ozzy had faced several health problems in recent years.
READ ALSO: Tony Iommi speaks about Ozzy Osbourne's death: "The show was for him to say goodbye"
