Ozzy Osbourne's Swansong Concert Sparks Debates Among Fans
In the heart of Birmingham, the city that Ozzy Osbourne fondly refers to as his home, the legendary rocker took to the stage for one last time with Black Sabbath at the "Back To The Beginning" farewell concert on July 5, 2025.
The 10-hour all-star event, which featured legendary guests such as Metallica, Guns N' Roses, and Steven Tyler, was a fitting tribute to the band's legacy. Ozzy's solo set included iconic songs from his 1980 album "Blizzard of Ozz" and his 1991 ballad "Mama, I'm Coming Home," followed by a four-song classic Black Sabbath set including "War Pigs," "Iron Man," "N.I.B.," and "Paranoid." For the climactic closing, Osbourne was visually striking as he was lifted to the stage seated on a black throne adorned with skulls and topped with a black bat, performing while seated due to health reasons.
The concert, which honoured Ozzy Osbourne's final stage moments with Black Sabbath, drew mixed fan reactions reflecting a complex mixture of emotion and expectations. Many fans appreciated the emotional weight and historic significance of the event, acknowledging Osbourne's long career and health challenges, particularly his decision to perform seated on the dramatic bat throne, which became a poignant symbol of his legacy and resilience.
However, some voices expressed disappointment or sadness that Ozzy’s final show was marked by his seated performance, interpreting it as a reminder of his frailty and the toll of years of health issues, which had also forced him to cancel his solo farewell tour in 2023. The inclusion of a lengthy lineup of guest musicians and a 10-hour format was seen by some as a fitting celebration of Ozzy’s influence across genres, while others felt the focus shifted from Ozzy himself, diluting the intimacy of a final farewell.
The livestreaming of the show in the UK enabled wider accessibility but also subjected the event to online scrutiny and varied reactions from distant fans. Rakkan, a fan from Saudi Arabia, travelled from London to attend the show and expressed feeling conflicted about Ozzy's performance. "It was a bittersweet moment," Rakkan said. "Seeing Ozzy in his current state was sad, but his performance was still powerful and emotional."
As Ozzy Osbourne's final performance comes to a close, fans will remember his enduring impact on the music world. The band, which includes original members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, has sold over 75 million copies of eight albums worldwide. In 2006, they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and in 2019, they received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
The ceremony honoring the band's contributions to Birmingham's cultural and musical identity was a fitting tribute to their legacy. Ozzy Osbourne, who is 76 years old, performed on a throne during the Back to the Beginning farewell gig. Despite some fans expressing sympathy for Ozzy's condition during the performance, others praised his performance, with one fan noting that Ozzy sounded better than expected. However, another fan criticized the performance, stating it was "gross" to see a visibly unwell Ozzy Osbourne being wheeled out.
In the end, the concert will be remembered as a poignant and emotional farewell to one of the most iconic bands in rock history, with fans reflecting on the mixed emotions of seeing a legend perform one last time while acknowledging the toll that years of health issues have taken on Ozzy Osbourne.
- Some fans in Saudi Arabia, like Rakkan, traveled from London to witness Ozzy Osbourne's final performance, recognizing its historic significance in the world of music.
- Despite health challenges, Ozzy Osbourne performed on a throne during the "Back to the Beginning" farewell concert, offering a poignant symbol of his legacy and resilience.
- While some fans felt sad seeing Ozzy's condition during the performance, others praised his performance, arguing that he sounded better than expected.
- As the music world mourns the end of Black Sabbath's era, fans will remember the band's contributions, which include selling over 75 million copies of eight albums worldwide and receiving notable awards like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
- The tension between emotions and expectations was evident among fans, with some appreciating the emotional weight of the event and others voicing disappointment, particularly about the seated performance, which became a reminder of Ozzy's health struggles.
