Ozzy Osbourne's Final Bow with Black Sabbath at Villa Park

2025-02-28

Ozzy Osbourne is set to reunite with the original members of Black Sabbath for what will be his final performance, marking the band’s first full reunion in 20 years. The event, titled Back to the Beginning, will take place on 5 July at Villa Park in Birmingham, the city where the iconic heavy metal band was formed in 1968. The concert will feature a star-studded lineup, including Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Alice in Chains, and a “supergroup” of musicians such as Duff McKagan, Slash, Billy Corgan, and Tom Morello, who is also the musical director for the event.

Osbourne, 76, who has faced significant health challenges in recent years, including Parkinson’s disease, will perform a short solo set before joining his bandmates—Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—for what he describes as his “final bow.” Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s wife, shared that the concert is a way for him to thank his fans and give back to Birmingham, the birthplace of Black Sabbath. She acknowledged the emotional weight of the event, stating, “There’s going to be a lot of tears, but also a lot of great memories.”

The concert will also serve as a fundraiser, with profits shared between Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice. Sharon emphasised the importance of raising awareness for Parkinson’s, expressing hope for a cure in the future.

Black Sabbath, widely regarded as one of the most influential heavy metal bands of all time, has sold over 75 million albums worldwide. Their reunion comes after years of speculation and internal tensions, particularly surrounding Bill Ward’s involvement in previous tours. Osbourne has previously expressed regret that the original lineup did not conclude their career together, making this final performance a poignant moment for both the band and their fans.

Tickets for the event go on sale on 14 February, with organisers promising additional acts to be announced soon. The concert is being billed as “the greatest heavy metal show ever,” a fitting farewell to one of the genre’s most legendary figures.

Ozzy Osbourne to reunite with Black Sabbath for 'final bow' performance

The greatest heavy metal show ever will also feature sets from acts including Metallica, Slayer, Alice In Chains and a supergroup of musicians.

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