John Carter Cash, the son of Johnny Cash, recently shared a powerful personal memory linking his father to rock legend Ozzy Osbourne.
Ozzy Osbourne passed away on Tuesday, July 22, at the age of 76. Just weeks earlier, on July 5, he made what was promoted as his final live appearance at the Back to the Beginning concert in Birmingham, England.
Though Osbourne was best known as the dark, trailblazing voice of heavy metal, his influence stretched far beyond rock. Country stars like Carrie Underwood, Jelly Roll and Hardy have openly described themselves as fans of his work.
While country tributes have been relatively quiet since his passing, many artists in the genre have long expressed admiration for the “Prince of Darkness” and his groundbreaking role in music history.
An Unlikely Friendship: Johnny Cash & Ozzy Osbourne
It may seem surprising, but the “Man in Black” and the “Prince of Darkness” had a real-life connection.
A long-circulated story claims that Johnny Cash and Ozzy Osbourne met at the Betty Ford Clinic in 1986. While the original source of the story hasn’t been verified, the respect between the two men appears to be very real.
Ozzy was once quoted as saying that Cash inspired him deeply, calling him “cool” and saying that seeing Cash’s calm strength gave him hope. While this exact quote can’t be fully confirmed, the bond between the two artists has now been validated by someone who was there.
John Carter Cash Confirms the Story
John Carter Cash posted a rare backstage memory on social media, sharing proof that his father and Ozzy truly crossed paths.
“A whole lifetime has passed since this night,” he wrote.
He revealed that his father knew Ozzy personally and even attended a concert with him. At the time, Carter Cash was a devoted heavy metal fan, and Ozzy was his favorite singer.
“This was actually the second time I met him,” he added. “Unforgettable memory! May the music live on forever!”
The photo he shared appears to have been taken backstage during the mid-to-late 1980s, right at the height of Ozzy’s solo career.
Two Legends, One Legacy
Though Johnny Cash never recorded a cover of Ozzy Osbourne or Black Sabbath, he was known for breaking genre boundaries—especially in his American Recordings era, when he reimagined songs from rock and alternative artists.
This newly shared memory highlights something music fans have long believed: the walls between country and rock have always been thinner than they seem.
Two icons. Two vastly different sounds. One shared respect that crossed genres and generations.
And now, thanks to John Carter Cash, a forgotten moment of music history has been brought back to light.
