In what will go down as one of the most historic nights in rock history, Ozzy Osbourne performed for the final time at Villa Park in Birmingham, bringing his five-decade career to a thunderous, emotional conclusion. The event, titled “Back to the Beginning,” served not only as a farewell for Ozzy but also a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of heavy metal’s roots in its birthplace of Birmingham. Ozzy needed assistance with his chair getting onstage after his lift up.
This is how Ozzy came out on stage 🤘🏻 pic.twitter.com/RrvNR767z4
— 🎸 Rock History 🎸 (@historyrock_) July 5, 2025
Tens of thousands of fans packed the home stadium of Aston Villa to witness the Prince of Darkness return to the city where Black Sabbath was born. The concert sold out within minutes and featured an unprecedented lineup of metal and rock royalty who paid tribute to Ozzy and his legacy.
Before Ozzy took the stage, fans were treated to an all-day onslaught of performances from a mix of current heavyweights and legendary acts. Among the performers were Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Slayer, Pantera, Alice in Chains, Lamb of God, Halestorm, Gojira, Anthrax, Rival Sons, and Mastodon. Special collaborative sets featured rock icons including Billy Corgan, Tom Morello, Slash, Duff McKagan, Lzzy Hale, David Draiman, Steven Tyler, Sammy Hagar, and K.K. Downing. A high-energy drum-off included Travis Barker, Danny Carey, and Chad Smith, igniting the crowd before the headliner took the spotlight.
Actor Jason Momoa hosted the event, while Tom Morello served as the evening’s musical director, helping coordinate tributes and surprise collaborations throughout the night. The energy remained electric as artists rotated across multiple stages, performing both original material and Sabbath classics in homage to Ozzy.
When the time finally came, Ozzy was joined on stage by longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde, bassist Mike Inez, drummer Tommy Clufetos, and keyboardist Adam Wakeman. Though his health has forced him to retire from touring, Ozzy gave a fierce and focused performance, singing hits like “I Don’t Know,” “Mr. Crowley,” and “Bark at the Moon” with clarity and heart. Fans erupted in tears and cheers as he waved goodbye, clearly emotional during what he confirmed would be his last live appearance.
The night reached its emotional peak when Ozzy was joined by all three original members of Black Sabbath—Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—for one final reunion performance. It was the first time the original lineup had shared a stage in two decades. Together, they tore through classics like “Paranoid,” “War Pigs,” and “Iron Man,” with the crowd singing every word in unison.
Proceeds from the event benefited Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice. Despite minor complaints about high drink prices and crowd congestion, the concert was hailed as a masterful and moving sendoff to one of the genre’s most iconic figures.
Ozzy Osbourne’s final show wasn’t just a concert—it was a full-circle celebration of his life, music, and influence, surrounded by the artists he inspired and the fans who never left his side. As the lights dimmed on Villa Park, one thing was certain: there will never be another like Ozzy.
