Back to the Beginning: An Emotional Final Chapter
The “Back to the Beginning” concert marked a powerful and emotional end to an era as Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath returned to Birmingham for what was billed as their final performance. Held at Villa Park, just a stone’s throw from Osbourne’s childhood home, the event drew 40,000 devoted fans from across the globe and reached a peak of 5.8 million viewers on livestream. The black-clad crowd gathered for one purpose: to bid farewell to the gods of metal.
Ozzy Osbourne Black Sabbath fans were treated to a spectacle that celebrated nearly six decades of musical legacy. Despite battling Parkinson’s disease, the 76-year-old Osbourne appeared onstage seated on a black throne, clapping, waving and occasionally tearing up. “You have no idea how I feel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he told the crowd.
Anthrax’s Joey Belladonna performed as a support act at Black Sabbath’s “Back to the Beginning” concert, marking Ozzy Osbourne’s final show as frontman, held at Villa Park in Birmingham on 5 July 2025. [Credit: AFP/Andy Buchanan]
A Star-Studded Salute to Heavy Metal’s Founders
The Black Sabbath concert wasn’t just about nostalgia; it was a global tribute. Metallica, Slayer, Guns N’ Roses, and Tool headlined a stellar lineup that honoured the band who created an entire genre. “Without Sabbath there would be no Metallica. Thank you for giving us a purpose in life,” Metallica frontman James Hetfield declared.
Metallica was one of the bands that brought the house down at Villa Park. [Credit: Ross Halfin]
A who’s who of rock icons joined the tribute. From Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and the Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood to Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, who also served as musical director, the stage became a revolving door of legends. Tyler joined forces with Blink-182’s Travis Barker and Tool’s Adam Jones, while Billy Corgan, KK Downing, and Chad Smith brought new life to Sabbath classics.
The Return of the Original Line-Up
The most heart-stirring moment came when the original Black Sabbath Ozzy lineup, Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward, reunited for the first time in 20 years. Together they blasted through Paranoid, War Pigs, Iron Man, and NIB, proving that even age and illness couldn’t dull the bludgeoning force of their sound.
Geezer Butler even paid tribute to their hometown, playing a bass painted in Aston Villa colours. This symbolic gesture capped off the deeply Birmingham-flavoured event, which coincided with the city’s declaration of the “Summer of Sabbath.”
Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Bow
The Ozzy Osbourne Black Sabbath farewell segment was both triumphant and tender. Rising from below the stage, Ozzy bellowed, “Are you ready? Let the madness begin!” The crowd roared in response. His solo set included Crazy Train, Mr Crowley and Suicide Solution. Though his voice wavered at times, the raw emotion of the performance resonated deeply with fans.
During Coming Home, Osbourne appeared overwhelmed, as the crowd supported him through every lyric. It was a poignant reminder of the frontman’s iconic presence and the personal battles he’s faced.
Ozzy Osbourne on stage during Back to the Beginning at Villa Park. [Credit: Ross Halfin/Black Sabbath]
Global Metal Community Unites
Fans flew in from all corners of the globe. Runo Gokdemir, a teacher from London, sold his car to attend. “I love Ozzy that much. When I had a tough time in my teenage years, I listened to Black Sabbath, and Ozzy has got me through a lot,” he said.
Hollywood actor Jason Momoa served as host, announcing he’d be joining the moshpit himself. “Make some space for me, I’m coming in,” he told the audience. Other celebrity tributes came from Jack Black, Dolly Parton, and Billy Idol via video message.
Back to the Beginning as Metal’s Live Aid
Described by some as “metal’s Live Aid,” the Black Sabbath final show was more than a concert; it was a cultural event. Lisa Meyer, co-founder of the Home of Metal project, said, “That’s what really resonated with fans, giving a voice to that rage, anger and frustration, but doing it in a really cathartic way.”
The concert’s charity mission also resonated. Proceeds were shared between Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice. Ticket prices ranged from £200 to £2,000, with many fans viewing their purchase as a contribution to a historic farewell.
Birmingham Bows to Its Metal Founders
The city of Birmingham wrapped itself in tribute. A giant Ozzy Osbourne tifo appeared at Aston Villa’s stadium during football season. A bridge was renamed, a memorial bench installed, and even a ballet dedicated to the band returned to the city. Black Sabbath are now synonymous with Birmingham, the “home of metal.”
While the relationship between the band and the city hasn’t always been consistent, the final Black Sabbath concert solidified their legacy. For many, including Sammy Hagar, it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment. “This is going to go down in history as the greatest metal event of all time,” he said.
The Legacy of Black Sabbath Ozzy Osbourne
With the Black Sabbath final show, fans witnessed the end of a chapter and the cementing of a legacy. The Ozzy Osbourne Black Sabbath reunion and the surrounding celebrations offered a fitting close to an extraordinary musical journey.
As fireworks lit up Villa Park and the original lineup took their final bow, one truth stood clear: Black Sabbath didn’t just invent heavy metal—they became it. And with “Back to the Beginning,” they’ve left an indelible mark that no encore could ever follow.
