Ozzy Osbourne once spoke candidly about the friend he most wished he could still talk to: Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister, whom he called "the ultimate metal guy". The reflection came as Osbourne, who spent decades on the road living hard and fast alongside fellow musicians, looked back on the people he lost along the way, including his former guitarist Randy Rhoads, who died in a plane crash in 1982.

Osbourne described Lemmy as an "integral part" of rock and roll's identity, praising his blunt, no-nonsense character and his hard-living lifestyle, "blues, meth, and malt brews," alongside a softer, more sentimental side heard in songs such as "Mama I'm Coming Home", which Lemmy co-wrote for Osbourne's album "No More Tears". Osbourne said he missed having Lemmy around and valued his honesty above all, recalling how Lemmy would tell you exactly what he thought of your music, crap or otherwise, rather than offer empty flattery.