Following the death of rock icon Ozzy Osbourne, tributes have emerged from across the globe, including an unexpected one from the Alamo, a historic site once at the center of one of the most infamous episodes in the musician’s career.

In a public statement shared via the official Alamo Cenotaph Instagram account, officials acknowledged Osbourne’s passing and reflected on his complex history with the landmark. The message marked a full-circle moment for the site, where a decades-old act of public misconduct eventually gave way to reflection and reconciliation.

“We at the Alamo are saddened to hear of the passing of legendary musician Ozzy Osbourne,” the statement read. “His relationship with the Alamo was marked initially by a deeply disrespectful incident in 1982… However, redemption and reconciliation eventually became part of his history as well.”

Osbourne’s initial connection to the Alamo stems from an incident in February 1982, when he was arrested for public intoxication after urinating on the Alamo Cenotaph, a monument honoring those who died in the 1836 Battle of the Alamo. The act sparked widespread public outrage in San Antonio and led to Osbourne being banned from performing in the city for a decade. Despite the backlash, Osbourne was released on a $40 bond and went on to perform that night as scheduled.

Over time, however, efforts were made to repair the damage. In 1992, Osbourne formally apologized to then-San Antonio Mayor Nelson Wolff and made a $10,000 donation to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the organization that maintained the site at the time. The ban was lifted, and he resumed performing in San Antonio, with concerts in 1992, 1996, and again in 2011.

In 2015, more than three decades after the original incident, Osbourne returned to the Alamo grounds alongside his son Jack while filming an episode of Ozzy & Jack’s World Detour for the History Channel. According to officials, the visit marked a genuine effort by the artist to better understand the historical significance of the site and to demonstrate his remorse in a meaningful way.

The Alamo’s recent statement underscored this evolution: “In 1992, Ozzy personally apologized to then-Mayor Nelson Wolff and expressed genuine remorse for his actions. Decades later, in 2015, he revisited the Alamo grounds to learn and appreciate the site’s profound history, openly demonstrating humility and understanding.”

“At the Alamo, we honor history in all its complexities,” the statement concluded. “Today, we acknowledge Ozzy Osbourne’s journey from regret to reconciliation at the historic site, and we extend our condolences to his family, friends, and fans around the world. May he rest in peace.”