In brief
The concert, dubbed "Back To The Beginning," marks a historic reunion of Black Sabbath's original lineup after two decades, raising funds for important charities while celebrating their heavy metal roots.
In a final farewell to fans, Ozzy Osbourne is determined to honor his legacy and connections with his bandmates in an unforgettable performance, despite health challenges. Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath are reuniting for one last time, announcing a special charity concert in Birmingham scheduled for July 5. This highly anticipated event, titled "Back To The Beginning," will take place at Villa Park and feature a plethora of influential bands that Black Sabbath has inspired, including heavyweights like Metallica, Pantera, Slayer, Gojira, and Anthrax.For the first time in twenty years, the band's original members, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, will share the stage once more. Osbourne, whose touring has been impeded by Parkinson's disease and spinal injuries, will perform a short solo set prior to joining his bandmates for the historic reunion. His wife, Sharon, expressed confidence in his well-being and enthusiasm for the event, saying, "He's doing great. He's so excited about this, about being with the guys again and all his friends."Importantly, Sharon emphasized that this show would serve as Ozzy's definitive farewell. "Ozzy didn't have a chance to say goodbye to his friends, to his fans, and he feels there's been no full stop. This is his full stop," she declared. The festival brings together a remarkable lineup of artists, including Alice In Chains, Halestorm, Lamb Of God, and Mastodon. A special "supergroup" of artists, including Billy Corgan, Slash, Fred Durst, and Wolfgang Van Halen, will also perform, covering classic Sabbath and Ozzy tunes. Tom Morello from Rage Against The Machine will act as the musical director for what he promises to be "the greatest heavy metal show ever."All proceeds from the concert will benefit notable charitable causes, including Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and Acorn Children's Hospice, affiliated with Aston Villa Football Club. Black Sabbath, credited with pioneering heavy metal since their formation in 1968, previously performed a farewell concert at NEC Arena in 2017. This farewell show attracted a sold-out crowd of 16,000 and featured iconic tracks like “War Pigs,” “N.I.B,” and their signature song “Paranoid.” Post-2017, Osbourne focused on his solo career, releasing albums such as "Ordinary Man" and "Patient Number 9." Health concerns, however, significantly affected his ability to tour following a severe ATV accident in 2003, and he has since made fewer public appearances due to ongoing medical challenges. Nonetheless, Osbourne's recent statements to Rolling Stone UK emphasized his desire to return to the stage, remarking, "I’m taking it one day at a time, and if I can perform again, I will." He is clear about his intentions, stating, "I’m not going to get up there and do a half-hearted Ozzy looking for sympathy."As these heavy metal legends prepare for their monumental final concert, fans eagerly await a heartfelt tribute to the legacy of Black Sabbath and an unforgettable evening of music.
