Heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne, 76, took his final bow on July 5 at Birmingham’s Villa Park, closing the curtain on a monumental era of rock music. The emotional night saw him reunite with fellow original Black Sabbath members—Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—for a farewell show fittingly titled Back to the Beginning.
The concert was more than just a goodbye — it was a full-blown celebration of metal history. The stage was set ablaze by supporting acts including Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Guns N’ Roses, Gojira, and Alice in Chains. A surprise “supergroup” also lit up the night, featuring music icons like Slash, Billy Corgan, Steven Tyler, and Tom Morello, who also spearheaded the event’s organization.
“This is my final encore, my way of saying thank you to the fans who’ve stuck with me,” Ozzy told the BBC. In a separate conversation with The Guardian, he added, “I’d love to say ‘never say never,’ but it’s time.” Despite battling Parkinson’s and enduring multiple spinal surgeries, Ozzy insisted on performing on his own terms: “I’m not going up there in a fucking wheelchair.”
Ticket prices ranged from £197.50 to £834, with 100% of the proceeds going to charitable causes close to his heart—Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice. The 10-hour event wasn’t just a concert, but a powerful tribute to Ozzy’s roots, a final act of gratitude, and a thunderous send-off for one of metal’s most iconic voices.