Esteemed funeral ceremony for Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne in Birmingham, attended by heavy metal aristocracy.
### Title: Black Sabbath Bids Farewell in Historic Homecoming Concert
In a poignant and emotional event on July 5, 2025, heavy metal icons Black Sabbath took the stage one last time at Villa Park, Birmingham, their hometown. The concert, which marked the end of an era, was attended by thousands of fans and streamed by 5.8 million people worldwide.
The lineup was a testament to the enduring influence of Black Sabbath, with the original lineup of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward reuniting for the first time in nearly 20 years[1][4]. Prior to Black Sabbath's performance, Ozzy Osbourne played a solo set, accompanied by Zakk Wylde, Adam Wakeman, Mike Inez, and Tommy Clufetos, delivering hits like "Crazy Train," "Mr. Crowley," and "Mama, I’m Coming Home"[1].
The event also featured a diverse range of metal and rock acts, including Metallica, Lamb of God, and a special performance by Jake E. Lee. Other notable acts included performances by the drummer from Sleep Token and Lizzy Hale[2][3].
The concert was a historic moment in heavy metal history, as it was Black Sabbath's last performance with their original lineup[4]. The setlist was concise yet impactful, featuring iconic tracks like "War Pigs," "N.I.B.," "Iron Man," and ending with "Paranoid" as fireworks lit up the sky[1][5].
Ozzy Osbourne, at 76 years old, has been battling Parkinson's disease, and his performance was visibly weakened. Despite this, he sat on a black throne and delivered a heartfelt performance[1]. Many in the audience couldn't hold back their tears during his performance, with one fan, Lilly Chapman, 29, feeling emotional seeing Ozzy show vulnerability in front of thousands of people[2].
The event included several unannounced performances and tributes, with Tom Morello acting as the musical director. Morello promised the show would be "the greatest heavy metal show ever" and advised fans to arrive early for unseen surprises[3].
The concert served as Ozzy Osbourne's farewell to live performances, marking a significant moment in his career[1][3]. Birmingham, the city that birthed Black Sabbath, declared 2025 "the summer of Sabbath" for fans to celebrate[6].
Guns N' Roses covered "Never Say Die" and "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" during the concert, while Metallica played a cover of Hole in the Sky and ended with Master of Puppets[1]. Mastodon kicked off the concert and played for about 15 minutes, covering a Black Sabbath song[1].
Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones, and Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins also performed, making the concert a star-studded event[3].
Ozzy Osbourne struggled to stay on key during "Mama I'm Coming Home," but rallied with a triumphant "Crazy Train," proving that even in his final concert, he still had the power to captivate his audience[1]. This was announced as the final show of Ozzy Osbourne's career, a heart-wrenching farewell for fans worldwide.
The concert can be streamed for the next 24 hours via paid streaming, providing fans with an opportunity to relive this historic moment[7]. Ozzy Osbourne declared that his final concert was his way of saying thank you to his fans, a poignant end to an illustrious career.
In the epic night of July 5, 2025, at Villa Park, Birmingham, heavy metal icons Black Sabbath's final concert showcased a blend of pop-culture and entertainment, attracting thousands of fans and streaming to 5.8 million people globally. The event was a rich tapestry of music, culture, and celebrity, featuring rock stars like Metallica, Lamb of God, Lizzy Hale, Jake E. Lee, and Ozzy Osbourne, who delivered iconic tracks such as "Crazy Train" and "Paranoid," alongside an array of tribute performances.
