The Prince of Darkness Takes His Last Bow

Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Performance Brings Birmingham—and the World—Together

More than 50 years after forming in Birmingham, England, Ozzy Osbourne and his pioneering metal band Black Sabbath returned to where it all began for the Back to the Beginning farewell concert. The birthplace of heavy metal had been eagerly anticipating the return of its native son, with murals and tributes adorning the city in the weeks leading up to the event.

The concert was held at Villa Park, just miles from where Osbourne and his bandmates grew up. The 76-year-old singer, seated on a black bat-winged throne, dramatically rose from beneath the stage. To kick off the night he shouted,

“It’s so good to be on this fucking stage, you have no idea. Let the madness begin!”

A Star-Studded Metal Marathon

Osbourne performed hits from his solo career with longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde by his side. The setlist included “Crazy Train,” “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” “Suicide Solution,” “Mr. Crowley,” and “I Don’t Know.” With tears in his eyes, he delivered a moving performance of “Mama, I’m Coming Home” to 40,000 fans singing along in unison, joined by more than five million viewers tuning into the livestream around the world.

For the first time in two decades, the original lineup of Black Sabbath Tony Iommi, Terence “Geezer” Butler, and Bill Ward reunited on stage. Together, they played four of the band’s most iconic tracks: “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” “N.I.B.,” and closed with the timeless anthem “Paranoid.”

Following the final song, fireworks lit up the sky as Osbourne was presented with a cake onstage, marking the end of an era.

The farewell show capped off a full day metal festival, with mini sets by heavyweights like Tool, Anthrax, Metallica, Slayer, Halestorm, Alice in Chains, Lamb of God, Gojira, Mastodon, and Guns N’ Roses. Special appearances included Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins, Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, and Travis Barker of Blink-182. Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler joined Morello on stage to perform a fiery cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.”

Proceeds from the concert will be divided up between Cure Parkinson’s, the Birmingham Children’s Hospital and the Birmingham-based Acorns Children’s Hospice.

Highlights and Headlines

• Controversy on Stage: Disturbed frontman David Drainman was met with boos widely believed to be a reaction to his vocal support of Israel, including his recent praise of Sharon Osbourne’s call to revoke visas for the Irish rap group Kneecap and a photo he posted of himself signing IDF artillery shells with the inscription “Fuck Hamas.”
• Women in Metal: Lizzy Hale of Halestorm, the only woman on the bill, brought down the house with her renditions of Ozzy’s “Perry Mason” and “The Ultimate Sin.” She was backed by a powerhouse band featuring Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt, original Ozzy guitarist Jake E. Lee, and drummer Mike Bordin.
• Tribute with Heart: Tool’s cover of “Hand of Doom” was widely praised as one of the best tributes of the day.
• Global Salutes: Artists including Dolly Parton, Elton John, Billy Idol and Jonathan Davis sent in video messages thanking Osbourne and Black Sabbath for inspiring their musical journeys.
• Family Milestone: Backstage, Osbourne’s daughter Kelly got engaged to longtime partner Sid Wilson of Slipknot, adding another personal high note to the day.

Artists React

Michael Starr of Steel Panther posted on Facebook:

“When Ozzy sang ‘Mama I’m Coming Home’ at his farewell show, it felt like the whole rock world took a breath and held it. For us in Steel Panther, this man is more than just a legend—he’s the reason we picked up guitars. Ozzy is the pulse of heavy metal.”

Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses added on X:

“Wow!! What an EVENT. Extremely overwhelming!! Really great crowd!! Was very emotional for everyone!!”

A Legacy Forged in Metal

Black Sabbath formed in 1968 and released their debut album in 1970. Their dark, heavy sound redefined rock and launched the genre of heavy metal. Osbourne went solo in 1979, releasing a string of albums that further cemented his icon status.

Though the original band reunited at times over the years, the last full performance of all four founding members was during Ozzfest in 2005. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2013, they released their final studio album, 13. In 2017, they played what was then believed to be their last show that was also in Birmingham.

Osbourne released his final solo album, Patient Number 9, in 2022. In 2024, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame once again, this time as a solo artist.

Birmingham Honors Its Son

Two exhibitions have opened in Birmingham to celebrate Osbourne’s legacy.

‘Working Class Hero’, a free exhibit at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, showcases Grammy Awards, Hall of Fame plaques, platinum and gold records, and rare photos that trace Osbourne’s journey from a working-class kid in Aston to a global icon.

In Victoria Square, an outdoor photography installation features archival images of all four Sabbath members, album art, and facts about the band’s roots. Nearby, a 40-meter mural by renowned artist Mr. Murals pays tribute with lifelike portraits and the band’s legendary logo.

Sam Watson, Chair of Central BID Birmingham, said:

“Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath helped shape modern music and put Birmingham on the global cultural map.”

Sara Wajid and Zak Mensah, Co-CEOs of Birmingham Museums Trust, added:

“We are incredibly proud to host this prestigious exhibition dedicated to Ozzy Osbourne, a true Brummie icon whose influence spans generations and continents.”

Struggles and Resilience

Osbourne’s final farewell comes after decades of health battles. A near-fatal quad bike accident in 2003 was followed by a Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2020. He paused touring in 2023 following spinal surgery.

Later this year, Paramount+ will release Ozzy Osbourne: No Escape From Now, a documentary exploring the challenges he has faced and the persona he created.

Bowing Out with Grace

From biting the head off a bat to becoming a reality TV icon, Ozzy Osbourne has always walked a chaotic, brilliant line between myth and man. But his final act was surprisingly tender, thoughtful and dignified.

He ended his 50-year journey surrounded by family, fans, and friends. It was a fitting tribute to the Prince of Darkness and a reminder that even legends deserve a peaceful goodbye.

“I’d love to say ‘never say never,’ but after the last six years or so … it is time,” Osbourne told The Guardian. “I don’t want to die in a hotel room somewhere. I want to spend the rest of my life with my family.”

A Fan’s Goodbye

As a lifelong fan, hearing him sing for the last time brought me back to where it all started, the first time I saw him live. His electric presence made you want to stand up, lift your lighter, and sing until your voice goes out.

For a few hours, thousands of strangers became one chorus, united in joy, memory and noise. He gave us more than music. He gave us a way to feel, to escape, to be ourselves and to rock on.

Ozzy’s voice was the soundtrack to my life and to so many others from the Boomer generation through Gen X and Millennials. This journey may be over, but the echoes will last forever.