Ozzy Osbourne brought the curtain down on his 50+ year career with a powerful and emotional final concert in Birmingham on July 5, 2025. Joined by the original Black Sabbath lineup and dozens of metal legends, the Back to the Beginning concert was more than a farewell—it was a love letter to heavy metal’s roots, with over 40,000 fans present and 4.6 million tuning in globally. The night was filled with iconic tracks, heartfelt moments, and charity-driven purpose, leaving fans with a historic memory to cherish.
A Historic Night in Birmingham: More Than Just a Concert
They say all legends must eventually step off the stage—but not without one final roar.
And on the evening of July 5th, Birmingham’s Villa Park shook with emotion, electricity, and echoes of a five-decade legacy as Ozzy Osbourne, flanked by Black Sabbath, gave fans a farewell to remember.
With a throne built for metal royalty—complete with skulls and firelit effects—Ozzy made his grand entrance not as a man defeated by illness, but as a king bidding his loyal subjects goodbye. At 76, and battling Parkinson’s disease, the Prince of Darkness didn’t run across the stage. He didn’t need to. His voice soared, his spirit roared, and his message was clear:
“This is my final encore… and I had to go Back to the Beginning.”
The evening’s emotion peaked when Ozzy performed solo anthems like “Crazy Train” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home”, his voice trembling but fierce. But it was the reunion with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—for classics like War Pigs, Iron Man, and Paranoid—that brought the crowd to tears and the sky to light with fireworks.
Metal’s Greatest Gathering: A Love Letter From Rock Royalty
If Ozzy was the king, the kingdom came to pay tribute.
From Metallica to Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Pantera, Slayer, and Alice in Chains, the Back to the Beginning concert felt more like a festival of immortals. These weren’t just performances—they were declarations of gratitude to the band that birthed metal.
James Hetfield of Metallica summed it up best:
“There would be no Metallica without Sabbath.”
(Source: Reuters)
With Jason Momoa emceeing and Tom Morello conducting the chaos as musical director, the concert ran an exhilarating 10 hours, turning Villa Park into a sanctuary of sound, and the global livestream into a metal pilgrimage for 4.6 million fans.
| Performer | Tribute Song / Role | Legacy Quote or Note |
|---|---|---|
| Metallica | “Sabbra Cadabra” | “This is where it all began.” – Hetfield |
| Slayer | “Children of the Grave” | “The blueprint for thrash.” |
| Tool | “Into the Void” | Deep and haunting tribute |
| Guns N’ Roses | “Fairies Wear Boots” | Classic-meets-chaos performance |
| Jason Momoa | Host | Charisma and metal-fan energy |
A Goodbye With Purpose: Ozzy’s Final Act for Charity
What makes this farewell even more profound is Ozzy’s choice to give back. Proceeds from the concert supported three of Birmingham’s most impactful charities:
| Charity | Cause | Connection to Ozzy |
|---|---|---|
| Cure Parkinson’s | Parkinson’s research | Personal—Ozzy’s own diagnosis |
| Birmingham Children’s Hospital | Child medical support | His hometown’s cornerstone |
| Acorns Children’s Hospice | Pediatric palliative care | Supporting families through tragedy |
As confetti rained and fans wept, Black Sabbath cut Ozzy a cake on stage—one last birthday-like celebration for a man whose music touched millions.
Ozzy’s Health Battle: A Throne, Not a Crutch
When Ozzy first revealed his battle with Parkinson’s back in 2020, fans feared the end was near. But true to form, he rallied. This farewell wasn’t about decline—it was about defiance.
Sitting on his iron throne, he showed that age and illness could not silence legacy.
“I may not be running around anymore, but I still hear you. And I still feel you.”
(Source: Sky News)
And in one of the evening’s most powerful moments, Bill Ward rejoined the band for the first time in two decades—making the night a complete circle.
Final Words: A Curtain Call Etched in Fire
On a summer night in Birmingham, the gods of metal didn’t fade—they bowed in brilliance.
Ozzy’s voice cracked. Fans cried. Guitars wailed. Fireworks soared. And in that moment, music history was made.
This wasn’t just an ending. It was a torch-passing, a thank you, and a legend’s goodbye rolled into one epic memory.