Final Farewell: Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath Set for Last Concert

The iconic band, originally formed in 1968, will unite for a one-day festival at Villa Park on July 5, marking a historic reunion and exclusive performances from major rock acts.

Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath have officially announced their last concert, set for July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, promising a nostalgic return for fans of heavy metal. The legendary group will headline a massive festival featuring numerous renowned artists they have influenced over the years, such as Metallica, Slayer, and Gojira.

This event is particularly special as it marks the first reunion of Black Sabbath's original lineup—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—in 20 years. Due to health concerns stemming from Parkinson's disease and past spinal injuries, Osbourne has largely refrained from touring recently but is excited for this significant occasion. His wife, Sharon Osbourne, expressed her excitement, stating, "He’s so excited about this, about being with the guys again and all his friends."

Although Osbourne will perform a solo set before joining his bandmates, Sharon confirmed that this will be his final performance, providing him a chance to say goodbye to fans, adding, "This is his full stop." The event, titled 'Back To The Beginning,' was unveiled at Villa Park by both Sharon and Tony Iommi, with Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello serving as the event's musical director, who proclaimed it to be “the greatest heavy metal show ever."

The concert will not only feature Black Sabbath but also an impressive lineup of acts, including Alice In Chains, Halestorm, and Lamb Of God. An exciting "supergroup" will also perform, with members such as Billy Corgan and Slash joining to mix beloved Sabbath and Ozzy hits.

Black Sabbath's legacy, recognized as pioneers of the heavy metal genre since their formation in 1968, will be celebrated through this event. The band previously held a farewell concert at the NEC Arena in 2017 to a crowd of 16,000, showcasing classic tracks like 'War Pigs' and 'Paranoid.'

Following the 2017 concert, Osbourne released two solo albums but faced health challenges that limited his touring. Despite this, he has expressed a desire to perform again, sharing that he refuses to take the stage unless he can give his all. As he stated in a recent interview, "I'm not going to get up there and do a half-hearted Ozzy looking for sympathy. What's the point in that?"

The proceeds from the concert will benefit Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and Acorn Children's Hospice, ensuring a charitable impact alongside the heavy metal celebration. Black Sabbath's reunion promises to be an unforgettable farewell commemorating their lasting influence on the music world.