Legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne bids adieu to live shows with a grand spectacle in his hometown, drawing a crowd of 40,000 fans.
Ozzy Osbourne brought the curtain down on his illustrious career with a star-studded farewell concert at Villa Park in Birmingham, England on July 5, 2025. The event, titled "Back to the Beginning," was a poignant celebration of an era that has indelibly marked the music industry.
The concert was set against the backdrop of Ozzy's hometown, with a bat-themed throne erected for his seated performance, a testament to his ongoing struggle with Parkinson's disease[1][2]. The event featured a lineup of legendary rock bands and artists, including Metallica, Guns N' Roses, and Slayer, as well as Jason Momoa, who hosted the event, and Steven Tyler[1][2].
The closing set by Black Sabbath included a four-song performance by the original lineup, which consisted of Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, and Bill Ward[5]. The band ended their short set with the iconic song "Paranoid."
The concert was met with both nostalgia and celebration from fans and fellow artists alike. The sold-out event at Villa Park was filled with enthusiastic fans who came to bid farewell to Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath. The performance was also livestreamed in the U.K. for those unable to attend in person[2].
The event included recorded messages from iconic figures like Dolly Parton, Elton John, and Billy Idol, expressing their gratitude for the impact Ozzy and Black Sabbath have had on the music industry[2]. Elton John referred to Ozzy Osbourne as "the king" and "the legend."
Ozzy Osbourne expressed his gratitude towards the 40,000 fans in attendance, urging the crowd to let the madness begin at the start of the performance[3]. He also paid tribute to the fans during the concert.
Black Sabbath, the band Ozzy Osbourne formed in 1968, was influential in the British metal scene. Their thunderous sound and devil imagery made them one of the era's most influential - and parent-scaring - metal acts[6]. The band's impact on the heavy metal genre is undeniable, with countless bands and artists citing them as a major influence[2][5].
The concert brought together a diverse array of artists, reflecting the broad influence Ozzy and Black Sabbath have had on music culture beyond heavy metal[4]. Ozzy Osbourne's fame expanded into the mainstream in the early 2000s with the MTV reality TV show "The Osbournes."
The farewell concert marks the end of a significant chapter in rock history, leaving a lasting impact on fans and the music industry as a whole[1][2]. Both Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne as a solo artist have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The concert was a fitting tribute to a legendary career and an enduring legacy.
The lineup at Ozzy Osbourne's farewell concert included not only iconic rock bands like Metallica and Guns N' Roses but also featured a segment of music, with Jason Momoa hosting and Elton John referring to Ozzy as "the king" and "the legend."
The concert, filled with nostalgia, marked a poignant celebration of music, honoring an era that has significantly impacted the industry, with Black Sabbath's influence extending beyond heavy metal culture.
