Rock god Gene Simmons remembered the godfather of heavy metal as a one-of-a-kind performer who was a menacing presence on stage and a warm-hearted thoughtful friend and family man when the show was over.

Simmons, who co-founded the hard rock band Kiss in the 1970s, told NBCLA Tuesday that he was grief-stricken after learning the messages popping up on his phone were true -- Ozzy Osbourne had died at age 76. The stunning news came just weeks after a farewell show with fellow rock stars and some 40,000 fans in Osbourne's hometown.

Stream Los Angeles News for free, 24/7, wherever you are. WATCH HERE

"It said, 'Ozzy's dead.' I thought it was fake new," Simmons said. "About a week ago, Ozzy seemed healthy. He was at the concert. Yes, he was in a chair, but all the energy -- he was sti

See Full Page