Legendary Godfather of Heavy Metal, 76, Performs Final Farewell Show and Fans Go Absolutely Wild
History was made at Birmingham's Villa Park as the Prince of Darkness took his final bow. John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne's farewell performance with Black Sabbath proved that even at 76, battling advanced Parkinson's disease, the English singer-songwriter who has defined heavy metal since 1967 can still command a crowd like no other artist on Earth.
The "Back to the Beginning" concert delivered everything fans could hope for in a farewell performance. Osbourne, performing from a throne due to mobility limitations, sounded absolutely incredible throughout the emotional evening. His voice carried the same power and range that launched a thousand metal bands, proving that talent transcends physical challenges.
The night culminated with Black Sabbath's original lineup reuniting for their closing set. The Birmingham-formed band, which distinguished itself through occult themes and down-tuned guitars since 1968, brought together Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward with Osbourne for the first time since 2005. This historic reunion created a moment that had the entire crowd simultaneously sobbing and screaming. When the man nicknamed "The Blizzard of Ozz" bellowed "Go f*cking wild!" the audience responded with earth-shaking enthusiasm.
The 11-hour celebration featured an all-star lineup including Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Slayer, Tool, and Pantera. Multiple artists performed Sabbath covers throughout the day, with Yungblud delivering "Changes," Anthrax tackling "Electric Funeral," and Guns N' Roses honoring "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath."
Metallica's James Hetfield perfectly captured the event's significance, stating "Without Sabbath there would be no Metallica. Thank you boys for giving us purpose in life." Elton John's video tribute called Osbourne "one of the most remarkable singers of our time" and "the king, the legend."
Sharon Osbourne, who organized the event with Live Nation, ensured the concert benefited meaningful causes. Proceeds support Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and Acorn Children's Hospice, adding philanthropy to the farewell celebration.Jason Momoa hosted the production, which streamed globally via pay-per-view to hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide. The international reach demonstrated Osbourne's enduring global influence across generations of metal enthusiasts.
The evening concluded with confetti explosions and tearful goodbyes from band members to their devoted fanbase. Performing "Paranoid" as his final song created a perfect circle, ending where it all began in Birmingham with the track that defined heavy metal forever.
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This wasn't just a concert—it was a cultural moment recognizing how four Birmingham lads changed music history forever. Osbourne's retirement marks the end of heavy metal's founding era, but the legacy of the band often credited with creating the genre will inspire musicians for generations to come. The man who earned his "Godfather of Heavy Metal" title through nearly six decades of dark, doom-laden vocals has finally taken his bow, leaving behind an unmatched musical dynasty.
Legendary Godfather of Heavy Metal, 76, Performs Final Farewell Show and Fans Go Absolutely Wild first appeared on Parade on Jul 6, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
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