A legendary farewell.
Black Sabbath reunited for Ozzy Osbourne’s final show with the band at Villa Park in Birmingham on Saturday, and the electric concert featured performances by other rock legends.
Steven Tyler, Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Ronnie Wood, Alice in Chains, Slayer, Fred Durst and more all took the stage in front of the reported 42,000-person crowd as part of the “Back to the Beginning” farewell concert.
Ozzy Osbourne at his farewell show with Black Sabbath. Watto / BACKGRID
Ozzy Osbourne performs at Villa Park in Birmingham on July 5. ð¸ Rock History ð¸, /X
The show featured medleys by two supergroups, the second of which included Tyler, Wood, Travis Barker, Billy Corgan, Sammy Hagar and Tom Morello.
The supporting acts all performed a mix of Black Sabbath covers as well as their original material.
Metallica performs in Detroit, Michigan in 2023. Getty Images
Steven Tyler performs in Elmont, New York in 2023. Getty Images
After Metallica’s performance, Osbourne, 76, came out on stage and performed a five-song set by himself, before he was joined by his former bandmates Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler for four of the group’s songs.
“Are you ready?” Osbourne asked the audience. “Let the madness begin!”
The “Crazy Train” singer, who lives with Parkinson’s, sat on stage in a black leather chair as he pumped up the crowd.
After the last song, Osbourne was presented with a cake and fireworks went off over Villa Park to close out the emotional night.
“It’s the last song ever. Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. I love you,” Osbourne told the crowd.
Dolly Parton, Elton John, Billy Idol and Jonathan Davis were among the music artists who gave recorded video shout-outs to Osbourne, in which they talked about Black Sabbath’s impact on their music.
Ozzy Osbourne performs with Black Sabbath in 2017 Watto / BACKGRID
Black Sabbath performing at their final show with Ozzy Osbourne. Greg Draven/X
The crowd at Villa Park for Ozzy Osbourne’s final show. AFP via Getty Images
The sold-out concert was hosted by “Aquaman” star Jason Momoa and marked the first time original Black Sabbath band members performed together in 20 years.
All of the money raised during the all-day show was set to go to three charities: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice.
Fans cheer during Black Sabbath’s “Back to The Beginning” concert. AFP via Getty Images
Ozzy Osbourne performing for fans. Watto / BACKGRID
Before the concert, Osbourne’s wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne, revealed she disinvited a band from the farewell show because they wanted to cash in on the event.
“It’s not the time to make a profit,” Sharon, 72, told Billboard. “After the show, I’ll let everybody know who it was. I think people will be shocked.”
After the concert, Osbourne’s son Jack paid tribute to the music legend on Instagram. The 39-year-old shared old footage of his dad bringing him on stage as a child, and wrote in the caption: “For everything I learned along the way…the final Good Night We Love You All.”
Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne attend the 13th Annual Design Care Benefiting The HollyRod Foundation in 2011. WireImage
Osbourne helped form Black Sabbath in Birmingham in 1968, and the group became one of the most successful metal bands of all time.
Osbourne announced his final show with Black Sabbath in Feb. amid his health woes.
Kelly Osbourne, Ozzy Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne and Jack Osbourne attend the 2014 Grammy Awards. WireImage
Ozzy Osbourne during his final show with Black Sabbath on July 5. Greg Draven/X
“Ozzy didn’t have a chance to say goodbye to his friends, to his fans, and he feels there’s been no full stop,” Sharon said about her husband at the time. “This is his full stop.”
The Prince of Darkness confirmed he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2020 and later canceled his tour in 2023 so he could focus on his health.
In November 2023, Osbourne said he has “at best 10 years left” to live.
