Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy shared his emotional response to Ozzy Osbourne’s death. He expressed conflicted feelings about performing following the metal legend’s passing in a statement posted on Instagram.
Portnoy reflected on the significance of Osbourne’s death and his internal struggle about continuing with scheduled performances.
“This is a big one,” Portnoy said. “There’s big ones, you know, John Lennon, Neal Peart, Edward Van Halen. This is up there. This one’s going to take weeks or months to sink in.”
The drummer elaborated on his conflicted feelings about performing so soon after the news.
“It almost feels selfish to get out there and play tonight,” he continued. “But, you know, music heals. We’re excited to play here in Athens and come back. It almost feels selfish to play our own music. I just want to listen to Ozzy all night and talk about Ozzy all night.”
Despite his reservations, Portnoy emphasized the healing power of music and his commitment to the scheduled show.
“But we have a great show tonight,” he said. “We are going to get out there and we are going to put on a night of music that we can all celebrate and be together and think about how music heals. Anyway, thank you, Ozzy. Thank you for everything. We’ll be thinking about you for a very long time.”
The statement came as musicians across the rock and metal community continue to pay tribute to the Black Sabbath frontman.
Portnoy’s emotional response carries particular weight given his recent return to Dream Theater and the band’s current touring commitments. Louder Sound reported that Portnoy rejoined Dream Theater in 2023 after a 13-year hiatus. During this time, he explored other musical projects and worked to mend relationships with his former bandmates.
The drummer’s return to the progressive metal pioneers he co-founded in 1985 has been marked by a renewed appreciation for their shared musical legacy. Metal Injection noted that Portnoy has described the experience of being back with Dream Theater as overwhelming. He highlighted the amount of love and welcoming attitude from fans and bandmates alike.
The band is currently active on tour with Portnoy back behind the kit. They continue to connect with audiences worldwide. Metal Injection revealed that Portnoy has had to adapt to Dream Theater’s evolved dynamic. He acknowledged that when he left he was overseeing everything, but coming back he needed to respect that the band had been functioning successfully without him.
Portnoy’s tribute to Osbourne reflects a broader outpouring of grief from the metal community. Major acts across the genre have been paying their respects to the influential frontman. The widespread reaction underscores Osbourne’s profound impact across multiple generations of rock and metal musicians. It resonates deeply with artists like Portnoy who have shaped the progressive metal landscape for decades.
