Black Sabbath's retirement performance, Back To The Beginning, left Metallica's Lars Ulrich in awe, expressing no thoughts of it being their last show.
Ozzy Osbourne Bids Farewell at Black Sabbath's Emotional Retirement Show
On the 5th of July, 2025, at Villa Park, a football stadium near Ozzy Osbourne's childhood home in Aston, Birmingham, the legendary frontman delivered a poignant performance at Black Sabbath's retirement show, "Back To The Beginning." The event, which raised over $190 million for charity, marked the final live appearance of Osbourne before his untimely death seventeen days later [1][2].
The original Black Sabbath lineup, consisting of singer Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward, took the stage for a five-song set. Osbourne's performance was particularly noteworthy, leaving an impact on the audience. He played a four-song solo set before joining his bandmates to close the show [1].
The concert was a major ten-hour festival, with supporting acts including Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Tool, Gojira, and Mastodon. The event featured guest vocalists, video tributes from big names like AC/DC, Def Leppard, and Marilyn Manson, reflecting the deep influence Ozzy and Black Sabbath had on fellow musicians [1].
Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich admitted uncertainty about Black Sabbath's performance at the retirement show, but was reportedly impressed with their performance. He stated that they sounded "great, if not better than ever" [1]. However, specific reactions to Ozzy Osbourne's performance at this concert are not detailed in the search results.
Ozzy Osbourne's passing inspired tributes from around the world, including one from Metallica. The band wrote a tribute on social media, stating that Osbourne introduced them to a mainstream audience by letting them open for him on his Ultimate Sin North American tour in 1986 [1].
The news of Osbourne's death was met with disbelief and shock among Lars Ulrich and his bandmates. This was the first time in almost 20 years that the original Black Sabbath members played together, making Osbourne's performance at the retirement show even more significant [2].
The Back To The Beginning event is currently estimated to be the highest-grossing charity gig of all time, with over $190 million raised for Birmingham Children's Hospital, Cure Parkinson's, and Acorns Children's Hospice [1][2].
[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-57762100 [2] https://www.nme.com/news/music/ozzy-osbourne-dead-black-sabbath-frontman-dies-age-71-2630056
Note: The age mentioned in the second source is incorrect. Ozzy Osbourne was 76 at the time of his death.
- The drummer from Metallica, Lars Ulrich, expressed initial uncertainty about Black Sabbath's performance at their retirement show, but was reportedly impressed, stating they sounded "great, if not better than ever."
- The retirement show, "Back To The Beginning," featured a four-song solo set from Ozzy Osbourne, who delivered a noteworthy performance that left an impact on the audience.
- In the support lineup for the show were heavy metal bands like Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Tool, Gojira, and Mastodon, as well as vocal guests and video tributes from celebrities like AC/DC, Def Leppard, and Marilyn Manson.
- The legendary band Black Sabbath, composed of vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward, reunited for a five-song set at the retirement concert.
- The concert at Villa Park, which raised over $190 million for charity, marked the final live appearance of Ozzy Osbourne before his untimely death seventeen days later.
- The event, while significant as a farewell tour for Black Sabbath, also served as a live appearance for Ozzy Osbourne, whose performance was particularly noteworthy and impactful.
- Following Ozzy Osbourne's passing, there were tributes from around the world, including one from Metallica, who expressed gratitude for Osbourne's influence in introducing them to a mainstream audience during their Ultimate Sin North American tour in 1986.
- The "Back To The Beginning" event is currently estimated to be the highest-grossing charity gig of all time, with over $190 million raised for Birmingham Children's Hospital, Cure Parkinson's, and Acorns Children's Hospice.
