Ozzy Osbourne's final words as he said heartbreaking goodbye to beloved fans
The gig was arranged with the help of wife Sharon Osbourne to get founding fathers of metal Black Sabbath back on stage where they belonged for one final time.
Ozzy, 76, who has Parkinson's disease, sang while seated on a black throne - still loving the attention of the crowd as he roared and made wild eyed looks.
He appeared overwhelmed at some moments. In an emotional moment, Osbourne said: 'I don't know what to say, man, I've been laid up for like six years.
"You have no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart," he told the crowd as he addressed them for what is now the final time.
The historic gig was the first time the original Sabbath line-up had played together for the first time in 20 years. They were joined by Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Slayer, the Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler.
It wasn't Ozzy's final appearance as he also made it to Comic Con Midlands days later for a meet and greet with himself plus Sharon, Jack and Kelly.
Those lucky enough to see the icon in person described him as a "metal godfather" that "blessed us" with music.
A fan who was one of the last to meet Ozzy at Comic Con Midlands has told the Mirror he feels "numb" at the news. Singer Pip Marsh attended the convention with a friend to meet his ultimate hero earlier this month.
"I've just seen the news, I'm devastated," he said. He added: "It doesn't feel real, I'm numb." He went on to comment: "I'm gutted. I've always had this weird connection to Ozzy, he lived not too far from where I grew up. One of my first ever big shows was on the same line-up as Sabbath, it's wild. I feel numb."
Before tonight's tragic news, Ozzy had told how he hoped to carry in recording even though the Villa Park gig would be his last "goodbye" to fans.
The singer revealed in a new interview before the concert that he still had projects he hoped to complete despite his Parkinson's disease.
Ozzy told Metal Hammer magazine: 'I am very blessed to say my goodbyes with the help of so many amazing musicians and friends. From the late 60s, we are probably one of the only bands where the original members are still alive and speaking with one another, as my wife says, it's an invisible bond that can't be broken.'
He added: 'I still enjoy doing my own work. I also enjoy singing on other people's work. For the foreseeable future, I will keep on recording if the projects interest me. It's very important.'
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STV News
4 minutes ago
- STV News
Fans to bid farewell to Ozzy Osbourne in Birmingham procession
Ozzy Osbourne fans are to pay their respects to the heavy metal star in a procession taking place in his home city of Birmingham. The Black Sabbath frontman, who played a farewell gig in the city earlier in the month, died at the age of 76 last Tuesday. The hearse carrying Osbourne will make its way down Broad Street to the Black Sabbath bench and bridge from around 1pm on Wednesday. PA Media Floral tributes are left on the Black Sabbath Bridge bench on Broad Street in Birmingham (Jacob King/PA). His family members are expected to watch the cortege, which will be accompanied by a live brass band. Fans have left heartfelt messages and floral tributes around the Black Sabbath mural on Navigation Street in recent days to honour the heavy metal star who was born in the Aston area of Birmingham. Members of the public have also signed a book of condolences, opened by Birmingham Museum And Art Gallery, which is currently holding an exhibition titled Ozzy Osbourne (1948-2025): Working Class Hero. While organising the procession, Birmingham City Council collaborated with the Osbourne family, who funded all of the associated costs. The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, said: 'Ozzy was more than a music legend – he was a son of Birmingham. Having recently been awarded the Freedom of the City and following his celebrated appearance at the Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park earlier this month, it was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral. 'We know how much this moment will mean to his fans. We're proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began, and we are grateful that they have generously offered to pay to enable this to happen and support the city is giving him the farewell he deserves.' PA Media Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne (PA). Broad Street will be closed to through traffic from 7am and buses and trams will be diverted during this time before the road re-opens when the event finishes. Osbourne and his Black Sabbath bandmates – Terence 'Geezer' Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward – were recently given the freedom of the city of Birmingham, which recognises people's exceptional service to the city. The group, which formed in 1968, are widely credited with defining and popularising the sound of heavy metal. Osbourne, who also had a successful solo career, found a new legion of fans when he appeared in the noughties reality TV series The Osbournes, starring alongside his wife Sharon and two youngest children, Kelly and Jack. The music star, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, performed his last gig on July 5 in a concert that also saw performances from the likes of Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N' Roses. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
BBC News
5 minutes ago
- BBC News
Fans gather to watch Ozzy's cortege travel through Birmingham
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Daily Record
2 hours ago
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Ozzy Osbourne fans to line streets to say emotional goodbye to Black Sabbath icon
Ozzy Osbourne fans are set to line the streets of Birmingham on Wednesday to pay their respects to the heavy metal icon during a public procession Ozzy Osbourne fans are set to pay their respects to the heavy metal legend in a procession taking place in his home city of Birmingham. The Black Sabbath frontman, who performed a farewell gig in the city earlier in the month, passed away at the age of 76 last Tuesday. The hearse carrying Osbourne will travel down Broad Street to the Black Sabbath bench and bridge from around 1pm on Wednesday. His family members are expected to observe the cortege, which will be accompanied by a live brass band. Supporters have left touching messages and floral tributes around the Black Sabbath mural on Navigation Street in recent days to honour the heavy metal icon who was born in the Aston area of Birmingham. Members of the public have also signed a book of condolences, opened by Birmingham Museum And Art Gallery, which is currently hosting an exhibition titled Ozzy Osbourne (1948-2025): Working Class Hero. Whilst organising the procession, Birmingham City Council worked alongside the Osbourne family, who funded all of the associated costs. The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, said: " Ozzy was more than a music legend – he was a son of Birmingham. Having recently been awarded the Freedom of the City and following his celebrated appearance at the Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park earlier this month, it was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral. "We know how much this moment will mean to his fans. We're proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began, and we are grateful that they have generously offered to pay to enable this to happen and support the city is giving him the farewell he deserves." Broad Street will be shut to through traffic from 7am with buses and trams rerouted during this period before the road reopens once the event concludes. Osbourne and his Black Sabbath colleagues – Terence "Geezer" Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward – were recently awarded the freedom of Birmingham, which honours individuals for their outstanding contribution to the city. The band, which came together in 1968, are widely recognised as pioneers who shaped and brought heavy metal to the masses. Osbourne, who also enjoyed a thriving solo career, discovered a fresh army of admirers when he starred in the noughties reality programme The Osbournes, featuring his wife Sharon and youngest children, Kelly and Jack. The rock legend, who received a Parkinson's disease diagnosis in 2019, delivered his final performance on July 5 at a show that also featured acts including Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N' Roses.
