Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath will reunite for a final time to perform at a fundraising concert in Birmingham on July 5th. The iconic heavy metal band will headline a one-day festival at Villa Park, featuring numerous bands they influenced, such as Metallica, Pantera, Slayer, Gojira, and Anthrax.
This event will mark the first time in 20 years that Black Sabbath's original lineup - Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward - will play together. Despite health challenges, Osbourne, who has had to curtail touring due to Parkinson's and spinal injuries, will perform a short solo set before joining his bandmates on stage.
Sharon Osbourne shared with BBC News that Ozzy is adamant about giving one last memorable performance, stating, "He's so excited about this, about being with the guys again and all his friends. It's exciting for everyone." She confirmed that this concert will indeed be the 76-year-old musician's final show, allowing him to bid a proper farewell to his fans and friends.
The concert, titled Back To The Beginning, was officially announced by Sharon and Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi at Villa Park. Tom Morello, the musical director of the event, expressed that it will be "the greatest heavy metal show ever." Proceeds from the concert will support Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and Acorn Children's Hospice.
The lineup also includes acts like Alice In Chains, Halestorm, Lamb Of God, and Mastodon. Notably, a "supergroup" featuring Billy Corgan, Slash, Fred Durst, Wolfgang Van Halen, and Tom Morello will perform a blend of Sabbath and Ozzy songs. Sharon Osbourne emphasized the iconic nature of the performers stating, "Different little groups will be coming on, but they're all icons."
Black Sabbath's journey began in 1968, with their first rehearsal near Villa Park. The band previously bid farewell in 2017 with a sold-out show at the NEC Arena, performing classic hits before closing with their signature song, Paranoid. Osbourne acknowledged the band's longevity, thanking fans for their unwavering support throughout their career.
Subsequent to the farewell concert, Osbourne released solo albums but faced health challenges, including a spinal injury and a Parkinson's diagnosis. Despite setbacks, he remains hopeful about performing again, expressing gratitude to fans for their enduring support.