Gene Simmons Credits Ozzy Osbourne for Teaching Humility Before 2025 Death

Gene Simmons, bassist and vocalist for KISS, paid heartfelt tribute to Ozzy Osbourne following his death in July 2025, reflecting on the humility and authenticity that defined the Black Sabbath legend. In an interview on the podcast 'Fail Better with David Duchovny,' Simmons recalled how Ozzy treated everyone equally, without airs or pretenses, which stood in contrast to the protective persona Simmons himself developed to guard against vulnerability. He described Ozzy as a 'unique human being' and a 'giant' who taught him a valuable lesson about humility, reminding Simmons not to get caught up in his own fame. Despite Ozzy's stage persona as the 'Prince of Darkness,' Simmons noted his warmth and genuine care for fans, often blowing kisses and expressing love during performances. The loss of Osbourne was described as heartbreaking by Simmons, who emphasized the importance of meeting someone so true to themselves. Their decades-long friendship left a lasting impact on Simmons, inspiring him to embrace authenticity in his own life.