Ozzy Osbourne’s Former Guitarist Dies at 66: Reports

Television personality Sharon Osbourne (L) and musician Ozzy Osbourne arrive at the premiere of A24 Films 'Amy' at ArcLight Cinemas on June 25, 2015 in Hollywood, California. Michael Buckner/Getty Images

A former guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne in the 1980s died at the age of 66, according to reports.

Bernie Torme died on March 17, said his family.

“Bernie Torme passed away peacefully on the 17th March 2019, one day short of his 67th birthday, surrounded by his family,” a statement from his family said, reported the Irish Examiner. “He had been on life support for the past four weeks at a London hospital following post-flu complications. Bernie will be remembered for dedicating his life to his music for five decades. He will be sorely missed.”

Last month, Torme’s Twitter account said that he was in intensive care with virulent pneumonia.

“What a sad day,” Ozzy Osbourne said on Twitter about Torme. “We’ve lost another great musician. Bernie was a gentle soul with a heart of gold. He will be dearly missed. I send my sincere condolences to his family, friends and fans.”

Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider tweeted: “Woke up to find out my friend Bernie Torme has died. He was a guitar god who played with OzzyOsbourne & Ian Gillan. We worked together for 3 years, writing over 100 songs for the ill-fated Desperado. I loved that man & today my heart is broken. RIP Bernie. Your guitar weeps.”

He completed a tour that was called “The Final Fling” in support of the “Shadowland” album in December 2018, according to Variety magazine.

His account also posted on March 3: “On behalf of Bernie: Thank you to everybody for your overwhelming support and continued kind thoughts. We all have to be patient, he is receiving the best possible medical care. Keep those good wishes coming.”

Other details about his death are not clear.

Ozzy Osbourne at home in Los Angeles, Calif., on Feb. 6, 2018. Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Live Nation

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