Ozzy Osbourne gives emotional farewell performance to thousands in Birmingham

Ozzy’s Final Show Was Announced as His Last Performance

On July 5, 2025, Ozzy Osbourne gave what was announced as his final public performance. The event took place at Villa Park Stadium in Birmingham, England, the same city where Black Sabbath was formed in 1968.

The show was called “Back to the Beginning” and brought Ozzy back to his roots. At 76 years old and five years after announcing his Parkinson’s diagnosis, he chose this moment to close his career. Fans around the world tuned in or traveled to witness it.

Fans Packed Villa Park and Watched Online Worldwide

Around 40,000 people attended the concert in person at Villa Park. Many had traveled from other countries, including Brazil, Japan, and the United States, to be there for the final performance.

The event was also live-streamed around the world. Over 250,000 people paid to watch it online in the first few hours, and total online viewership reached between 3 million and 5.8 million. Tickets for the concert sold out in under 30 minutes after they were released.

Ozzy Performed Seated on a Throne Due to Illness

Ozzy Osbourne performed seated on a black throne throughout the concert. His advanced Parkinson’s disease and past spinal surgeries had left him unable to walk as of early 2025.

He had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2020 after complications from a serious fall in 2019. That injury required neck surgery and worsened existing spinal damage from a 2003 ATV accident. Though physically limited, he continued singing and completed the concert as planned.

The Original Black Sabbath Lineup Reunited on Stage

For the first time since 2005, all four original members of Black Sabbath performed together live. Ozzy Osbourne was joined on stage by guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward.

Their set included “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” “Paranoid,” and “N.I.B.” Bill Ward appeared shirtless during the set. This marked the first full live performance by the founding lineup in two decades, completing a reunion fans had waited many years to see.

Tom Morello Served as Music Director

Tom Morello, guitarist for Rage Against the Machine, served as musical director for the concert. He told Metal Hammer that his goal was to create “the greatest day in the history of heavy metal.”

He curated the tribute lineup and coordinated the guest appearances. Morello also performed at the event and thanked Ozzy Osbourne publicly for trusting him to lead the show. He described it as a personal tribute to the band that influenced his career.

The Day Featured Tribute Sets by Major Rock Acts

Before Black Sabbath’s set, over a dozen rock and metal bands performed tribute sets. Bands included Metallica, Slayer, Tool, Pantera, Anthrax, Guns N’ Roses, and Alice in Chains.

These tribute performances ran throughout the day leading up to the main event. Fans in black band T-shirts packed the stadium early, moshing and crowd-surfing through hours of music. The show began in daylight and continued into the night.

The Concert Was a Major Fundraiser for Charities

Profits from the concert were donated to three charities: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice. The estimated amount raised was $190 million or £140 million.

Ticket sales, merchandise, and streaming revenue all contributed to the total. Live Nation and Sharon Osbourne had not confirmed the exact final figure by the following week. It became one of the most financially successful charity concerts in rock history.

Fans Shared How Much Ozzy’s Music Meant to Them

Many fans described the concert as emotional. Some had followed Ozzy Osbourne for decades, attending multiple tours before this farewell performance.

One fan, Runo Gokdemir from London, said he sold his car for £400 to buy a ticket. He told Reuters that Ozzy and Black Sabbath’s music helped him through difficult times in his teenage years. Other fans said they cried during the show.

Museum Hosted Black Sabbath Retrospective

On July 2, 2025, fans visited the Ozzy Osbourne exhibition at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. The exhibit featured career memorabilia, including awards and stage clothing.

It was part of the city’s celebration of Black Sabbath’s legacy. Lisa Meyer, who co-founded the Home of Metal project, helped organize the original 2019 exhibition. She said the band gave people an outlet for frustration during the 1960s.

Jason Momoa Hosted and Introduced Performers

Actor Jason Momoa hosted the concert. He appeared on stage to introduce acts and helped guide the live-streamed broadcast.

Momoa had worked with Ozzy previously on a promotional video for the 2020 song “Scary Little Green Men.” His presence added a film and television connection to the music-heavy lineup. The event was designed as both a concert and a global broadcast production.

Tribute Artists Included Legends Across Generations

In addition to full band sets, many well-known artists made appearances on stage. These included Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses, Jonathan Davis of Korn, and Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit.

Their performances were brief but symbolic. Some played with tribute bands, others introduced segments. The tribute concert reflected the wide influence Black Sabbath had on multiple generations of rock musicians.

Ozzy’s Songs and Albums Rose on the Charts

After the concert, Ozzy Osbourne’s music saw a surge in sales. Nine of his solo songs entered the U.S. iTunes Top 200, with “Mama, I’m Coming Home” reaching number 2.

Eight of his albums also charted on the iTunes Top Albums list, including one that entered the top 10. His solo catalog streams increased by 95 percent. Song downloads went up by 1,100 percent, and Black Sabbath song sales jumped 741 percent.

Ozzy Had Canceled His Power Trip Festival Slot in 2023

In October 2023, Ozzy Osbourne withdrew from the Power Trip Festival in Indio, California. He had been scheduled to perform on October 7, 2023, but said his body was not ready.

Judas Priest replaced Ozzy as the Saturday night headliner. The Power Trip lineup included Metallica, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, and Tool. Ozzy said he did not want to return unless he could deliver a full-quality performance.

He Officially Retired from Touring in February 2023

Ozzy Osbourne announced his retirement from touring on February 1, 2023. He said he was no longer physically capable of handling the travel and demands of live tours.

His statement came after canceling all 2023 European tour dates. He had undergone three spinal surgeries, stem cell therapy, and robotic exoskeleton treatment. Though he said his singing voice remained strong, he could not continue live touring.

Grammy Awards Honored Ozzy’s Album and a Song with Iommi

On February 5, 2023, Ozzy Osbourne won two Grammy Awards. He received Best Rock Album for Patient Number 9 and Best Metal Performance for the song “Degradation Rules” with Tony Iommi.

Ozzy did not attend the ceremony. His producer, Andrew Watt, and bassist Robert Trujillo accepted the awards on his behalf. The album featured collaborations with Jeff Beck, Chad Smith, Taylor Hawkins, and Zakk Wylde, and was recorded during Ozzy’s recovery from surgery.

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A Documentary Will Cover the Farewell Concert

A feature-length documentary titled Ozzy Osbourne: No Escape From Now is scheduled for release on Paramount+ in late 2025. The film covers Ozzy’s health struggles, album recording, and final concert.

The documentary is directed by Tania Alexander and produced by Echo Velvet with MTV Entertainment Studios. It includes interviews with Sharon Osbourne, their children, Tony Iommi, Duff McKagan, Chad Smith, and Zakk Wylde. The final scene will feature the July 5 concert at Villa Park.

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What’s your favorite Ozzy moment? Drop it below!

Read More From This Brand:

• 15 Legendary Bands the Rock Hall Keeps Snubbing
• Honoring Ozzy: Jelly Roll Shines at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
• Ozzy Osbourne to shorten set for special Black Sabbath charity performance

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.