In a night that will be remembered as one of the most iconic moments in rock history, Black Sabbath took the stage for a final farewell concert that brought fans to tears and legends to their feet. Held at Villa Park in Birmingham — the city where it all began — the event marked Ozzy Osbourne’s last performance with the band that launched heavy metal into the global spotlight.
Titled the “Back to the Beginning” concert, the show was far more than just a goodbye; it was a celebration of legacy, influence, and the enduring power of rock and roll. With an estimated crowd of 42,000 fans packing the stadium, the energy was electric from the very start. But it wasn’t just Black Sabbath’s final bow that made the night unforgettable — it was the astonishing lineup of rock royalty that came together to honor the moment.
Joining Osbourne and the remaining members of Black Sabbath onstage were an array of legendary performers, including Metallica, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, Guns N’ Roses, Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones, Alice in Chains, Slayer, and even Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst. Each act paid tribute not only to the band’s groundbreaking influence but also to Osbourne himself, whose unique voice and chaotic charisma helped define the genre for decades.
Ozzy Osbourne, now 76, appeared visibly emotional throughout the night. After decades of performing, recording, and weathering personal and health battles, the Prince of Darkness made it clear this would be his final time fronting Black Sabbath. The performance took on an even more powerful resonance given Osbourne’s recent health struggles and public retirement from touring. Yet despite physical limitations, Ozzy’s voice rang out strong as ever — gritty, powerful, and unmistakably his.
The band played a blistering set of their most iconic hits, including “Iron Man,” “Paranoid,” “War Pigs,” and “Black Sabbath.” Each track felt like a time capsule, transporting the crowd through over five decades of metal history. Fans, many of whom had traveled across continents for the chance to witness this once-in-a-lifetime event, sang along, horns in the air, as the band poured everything into their final performance.
Guest artists didn’t just watch from the sidelines — they became part of the show. James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich of Metallica joined in for a thunderous rendition of “Children of the Grave,” while Steven Tyler brought his signature wail to a collaborative performance of “N.I.B.” Ronnie Wood and Slash shared guitar duties in a raucous jam session, and Alice in Chains delivered a stirring tribute with a cover of “Into the Void.”
As the night drew to a close, Ozzy addressed the crowd with heartfelt gratitude. “Thank you for sticking with us all these years,” he said. “You’ve given us everything. Birmingham is our home, and this is the only way we could end it — right here, with all of you.”
The farewell show was more than a concert — it was a ceremonial send-off for one of music’s most influential bands and one of rock’s most enduring frontmen. With raw emotion, unforgettable collaborations, and decades of musical history echoing through the venue, Black Sabbath’s “Back to the Beginning” was exactly the farewell fans had hoped for — powerful, loud, and legendary.