David Lee Roth acknowledged the passing of Ozzy Osbourne Tuesday during the first show of his summer/fall U.S. tour. Van Halen opened for Black Sabbath in 1978 on the band’s first international tour. Roth reflected on the beginning of his relationship with Ozzy during those weeks on the road in the U.K. “I didn’t even know there were 22 cities in the United Kingdom,” Roth confessed. “And Ozzy Osbourne and I became very, very good friends on that tour. And the sad news is that he has departed, OK?” He continued: “I once asked a Buddhist monk, ‘Do you think there’s laughter in heaven?’ And he told me, ‘No, I don’t think so.’ So, Ozzy Osbourne, save me a seat, and when I get to hell, we’ll have a drink, brother.” Roth added a “toast” for Ozzy during the spoken word section in Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher.” The Black Sabbath/Van Halen tour was also where Tony Iommi and the late-Eddie Van Halen began their lifelong friendship.

**David Lee Roth Honors Ozzy Osbourne at Tour Opener: “Save Me a Seat in Hell, Brother”**

At the opening night of his summer/fall U.S. tour, David Lee Roth took a poignant moment to honor the late Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away earlier this week. Speaking to a packed crowd between songs, Roth’s tribute was equal parts heartfelt, humorous, and reflective — a fitting send-off to one of rock’s most iconic figures.

Recalling the early days of his career, Roth reflected on the first time Van Halen toured internationally — opening for Black Sabbath in 1978. “I didn’t even know there were 22 cities in the United Kingdom,” he quipped. “And Ozzy Osbourne and I became very, very good friends on that tour. And the sad news is that he has departed, OK?”

The moment turned deeply personal as Roth shared a story of spiritual reflection. “I once asked a Buddhist monk, ‘Do you think there’s laughter in heaven?’ And he told me, ‘No, I don’t think so.’ So, Ozzy Osbourne, save me a seat, and when I get to hell, we’ll have a drink, brother.”

The tribute didn’t end there. During the spoken word break in Van Halen’s blistering anthem “Hot for Teacher,” Roth raised a symbolic toast to Ozzy, lifting a drink high above his head as the audience erupted in cheers and applause.

The 1978 Black Sabbath/Van Halen tour not only launched a deep friendship between Roth and Osbourne, but also sparked the bond between Tony Iommi and the late Eddie Van Halen — a friendship that would span decades of rock history.

Roth’s salute was more than just a remembrance; it was a raw, honest celebration of a wild spirit now gone. As Roth reminded fans, “Legends never die — they just cha

nge venues.”