A Farewell Worthy of the Prince of Darkness

On July 5, 2025, Villa Park in Birmingham became the epicenter of a historic farewell. Under the banner “Back to the Beginning”, Ozzy Osbourne performed his final live show and reunited with Black Sabbath—Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—for a four-song closing set that sealed more than half a century of heavy metal.

Ozzy, struggling with Parkinson’s disease and the aftermath of spinal surgeries, sang from a black throne that rose from the stage. He delivered solo classics such as “Crazy Train” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” and then, with Sabbath, closed with “War Pigs,” “N.I.B.,” “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid,” amid fireworks and deafening applause.

The production, with a rotating stage and lightning-fast changeovers, resembled a “Live Aid” of metal. Birmingham itself turned black for the occasion, honoring its native son with civic tributes and public gatherings. More than 40,000 fans filled the stadium, while millions joined via global pay-per-view streams.

The Death of Ozzy and the Emotional Aftershock

Seventeen days later, on July 22, 2025, Ozzy Osbourne died at age 76 from a heart attack. Tributes poured in instantly: fellow musicians, fans, and entire cities mourned the man who not only co-founded Black Sabbath but also helped define the cultural DNA of heavy metal.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest confessed he “collapsed” upon hearing the news. In Birmingham, spontaneous vigils formed at landmarks like the Black Sabbath Bridge, the city’s iconic bull statue, and murals dedicated to Ozzy.

What Happened On Stage: A Chronicle of the Longest Day

• Festival format: 10+ hours of music, rotating stage, instant band swaps.
• Ozzy’s solo set: “Crazy Train,” “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” “Mr. Crowley.”
• Sabbath finale: “War Pigs,” “N.I.B.,” “Iron Man,” “Paranoid.”
• Special guests: Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Tool, Pantera, Alice In Chains, and more.
• Host: Actor Jason Momoa, longtime Ozzy fan.

Why It Mattered

1. Closing the circle: Villa Park, located in Aston, Ozzy’s childhood neighborhood, made the farewell deeply symbolic.
2. Visibility of fragility: The throne symbolized both Ozzy’s decline and his refusal to abandon his audience.
3. Generational ritual: Younger bands paying tribute, families watching together worldwide.
4. Collective mourning: His passing turned the concert into a testament, replayed endlessly across media and playlists.

Key Timeline

• July 5, 2025 — “Back to the Beginning,” Ozzy’s final concert at Villa Park, Birmingham.
• July 22, 2025 — Death of Ozzy Osbourne, aged 76, due to heart attack.

Final Word

At Villa Park, Ozzy transformed fragility into ritual. His last image—seated on a throne too big yet perfectly fitting—summed up his essence: there is no perfect goodbye, but there are concerts that reshape collective memory. July 5 was one of those nights. Days later, his absence turned those songs into shared heritage forever.