"Tom Morello expressed fear: 'What potential threat could it have on me and my family?' — Reflecting on the influence of Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath"
On July 5, 2025, heavy metal history was made as Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne took the stage for one final performance at Villa Park in Aston, Birmingham, England. The venue, located near the band's original formation site in 1968, marked the final live performance of both Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne.
The event, titled "Back To The Beginning," was a charity benefit concert that raised an impressive £140 million. Proceeds from the show were donated to Acorns Children's Hospice, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and Cure Parkinson’s. Despite being streamed worldwide via pay-per-view with a broadcast delay, the concert was widely acclaimed and is scheduled for a feature-length cinema release in early 2026.
Ozzy Osbourne, suffering from advanced Parkinson's disease, performed seated on a throne. The show featured supporting performances from major artists and tributes by bands such as Metallica, Slayer, Tool, and Guns N’ Roses. Two supergroups of musicians served as the house band, providing an impressive musical backing.
The concert was a fitting farewell for a band whose DNA is everywhere, not just in metal, but also in hip hop and EDM. Black Sabbath's influence can be traced back to their early days when they left a lasting impression on young Tom Morello.
Tom Morello, now the musical director of the gig of the century, was around 10 or 11 years old when Sabbath Bloody Sabbath first entered his life. He was physically frightened by the name and artwork of the record, but he bought the Paranoid record when he was 12 or 13 and fell in love with Black Sabbath from the first note.
For Morello, the Back To The Beginning concert was a dream come true. He was tasked with curating the almighty lineup for the show, a responsibility he took seriously. He warned that for those attending the show, don't be late as there are surprise guests.
Comparing the upcoming gig to the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert and the two transatlantic shows that honored Taylor Hawkins, Morello aimed to create the greatest day in the history of heavy metal as a salute to the band that started it all.
Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward were present at the show, surrounded by friends, peers, and tens of thousands of fans. Unfortunately, just 17 days after the concert, Ozzy Osbourne passed away at the age of 76, intensifying the concert's historical and emotional significance as his final bow.
This event is recognized as a monumental farewell to a pioneering band and iconic frontman in heavy metal history. The concert's legacy remains immeasurable, and fans will have the opportunity to relive the legendary farewell when the feature-length cinema release hits screens in early 2026.
[1] BBC News, "Black Sabbath's final show raises £140m for charity," 2025. [2] Rolling Stone, "Black Sabbath's Final Show: A Farewell to Ozzy Osbourne and a Salute to Heavy Metal," 2025. [3] NME, "Black Sabbath's final show: Ozzy Osbourne dies 17 days after the concert," 2025. [4] Variety, "Black Sabbath's Final Show to Get Feature-Length Cinema Release," 2025. [5] The Guardian, "Black Sabbath's final show: the day heavy metal history was made," 2025.
- The concert, titled "Back To The Beginning," was a charity benefit concert featuring Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's final live performance, held on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Aston, Birmingham, England.
- The event, which marked the venue's connection to the band's original formation site in 1968, raised an impressive £140 million for Acorns Children's Hospice, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and Cure Parkinson’s.
- Ozzy Osbourne, who performed seated on a throne due to advanced Parkinson's disease, was supported by major artists, tributes from bands such as Metallica, Slayer, Tool, and Guns N’ Roses, and two supergroups of musicians as the house band.
- Tom Morello, who was about 10 or 11 years old when Sabbath Bloody Sabbath first entered his life, served as the musical director for the gig of the century and curated the almighty lineup for the show.
- For Morello, the Back To The Beginning concert was a dream come true, with surprise guests added to the already impressive lineup.
- Comparing the concert to the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert and the two transatlantic shows that honored Taylor Hawkins, Morello aimed to create the greatest day in the history of heavy metal as a salute to the band that started it all.
- After the concert, Black Sabbath members Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward were surrounded by friends, peers, and tens of thousands of fans, with Ozzy Osbourne passing away at the age of 76, just 17 days after the show, intensifying its historical and emotional significance.
- This event is recognized as a monumental farewell to a pioneering band and iconic frontman in heavy metal history, with fans having the opportunity to relive the legendary farewell when the feature-length cinema release hits screens in early 2026.
