The Alamo honors Ozzy Osbourne’s journey from regret to reconciliation, acknowledging his complex history with San Antonio.
SAN ANTONIO — As fans grieve for Black Sabbath lead singer and reality star Ozzy Osbourne, the Alamo is acknowledging his role in the historic site’s history and his complicated relationship with San Antonio.
Almost as legendary as the rock star himself is the story of the 1982 incident in which Osbourne was arrested for public intoxication and for urinating in public on the Alamo grounds. Ozzy didn’t urinate on the main building, but on a cenotaph, a 60-foot structure across the street. The arrest happened the night before a concert at HemisFair Arena.
The act was taken as disrespectful to the sacred site of the Battle of the Alamo, but Ozzy worked hard over the years to repair his relationship with the Alamo City. He personally apologized to then-Mayor Nelson Wolff in 1992 and expressed remorse for his actions. Again in 2015, he visited the Alamo grounds, this time with his son Jack, and learned more about the mission’s history as part of a taping for a History Channel show.
The Alamo’s staff posted condolences on its official Facebook page, calling the famous story one of “redemption and reconciliation.”
See the full statement from the Alamo below:
“We at the Alamo are saddened to hear of the passing of legendary musician Ozzy Osbourne. His relationship with the Alamo was marked initially by a deeply disrespectful incident in 1982. This act profoundly and rightfully upset many who hold this site sacred.
However, redemption and reconciliation eventually became part of his history as well. In 1992, Ozzy personally apologized to then-Mayor Nelson Wolff and expressed genuine remorse for his actions. Decades later, in 2015, he revisited the Alamo grounds to learn and appreciate the site’s profound history, openly demonstrating humility and understanding.
At the Alamo, we honor history in all its complexities. Today, we acknowledge Ozzy Osbourne’s journey from regret to reconciliation at the historic site, and we extend our condolences to his family, friends, and fans around the world. May he rest in peace.”
The heavy metal singer’s death comes just weeks after his farewell show in Birmingham, England.
“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,” a family statement to BBC News said. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
Earlier this month, Osbourne reunited with his Black Sabbath band members for a final live performance. The musician put on quite the show for some 40,000 fans.
The performance marked the end of Osbourne’s touring career following a 2020 Parkinson’s diagnosis and spinal surgery that forced him to pause performances in 2023.