Ozzy Osbourne reunites with original Black Sabbath band members for farewell show
After what has been touted as his final performance with the original members of Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne is bidding farewell to the stage. Osbourne, alongside original Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler, drummer Bill Ward, and guitarist Tony Iommi, united on stage for the first time in two decades in Birmingham, England. This historic event, dubbed Back to the Beginning, served as Osbourne’s “farewell performance,” as stated on the Black Sabbath official website. Osbourne, who took the stage seated in a black, throne-like chair adorned with a bat on top, disclosed his Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis in 2020.
Expressing gratitude to the audience for their unwavering support throughout the years, Osbourne shared a heartfelt message before launching into their final song, “Paranoid.” “Your support over the years has made it all possible for us to live the lifestyle we live. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you. We love you,” Osbourne conveyed during the emotional culmination of the show. In addition to their closing anthem, Black Sabbath delivered electrifying renditions of classics like “Iron Man,” “N.I.B.,” and “War Pigs.”
The concert also featured an array of rock and metal legends, including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, and Alice in Chains, among others. Notable personalities such as Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corrigan, Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, and Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker made special appearances during the event. A standout moment ensued when Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler joined Morello on stage for a powerful rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.”
Formed in 1968 in Birmingham, Black Sabbath, encompassing Osbourne, Butler, Ward, and Iommi, is widely venerated as pioneers within the metal genre. The band’s impact was further validated with their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, alongside their two Grammy victories. Despite the band’s illustrious history, their farewell trajectory commenced with The End Tour, which later manifested as a 2017 concert film. Oscillating discussions around future reunions ensued, leading to the eventual announcement of the Back to the Beginning show in February.
During a candid interview with ABC’s Robin Roberts, Osbourne candidly discussed his Parkinson’s diagnosis. “I feel better now that I’ve owned up to the fact that I have a case of Parkinson’s,” Osbourne revealed, expressing a poignant call for continued support from his fans moving forward. As Osbourne embarks on this new chapter post-performance retirement, his enduring legacy within the music industry remains firmly entrenched in the hearts of fans worldwide.