For the first time in 20 years, the original members of Black Sabbath will reunite for a special concert. Ozzy Osbourne announced on X that he will be joining Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward for one final show at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, on July 5.
“It’s my time to go Back to the Beginning… time for me to give back to the place where I was born,” Osbourne said. “How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal. Birmingham Forever.”
Osbourne, who is 76, has been vocal about his desire to perform one last time. In a past interview with Rolling Stone, he said he would “die a happy man” if he could express his gratitude to fans from the stage. His wife, Sharon Osbourne, had also hinted at a farewell concert in his hometown last year.
The original @BlackSabbath – Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward – will play for the first time in 20 years. The band will take to the stage to headline BACK TO THE BEGINNING on July 5th at Villa Park.
— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) February 5, 2025
The all-star event will celebrate the true creators of… pic.twitter.com/cfqyxyWQxo
A legendary lineup
The concert, titled “Back to the Beginning,” will feature performances from several renowned metal bands. Artists such as Metallica, Slayer, Lamb of God, Alice in Chains, and Anthrax will take the stage before Osbourne delivers a short solo set. He will then reunite with Black Sabbath for his 'final bow.'
“This will be the greatest heavy metal show ever,” said the concert’s music director, Tom Morello.
Black Sabbath will reunite for Ozzy Osbourne’s final concert, a Birmingham bonanza featuring Metallica, Pantera, Slayer, and a supergroup including Tom Morello, Billy Corgan, Slash, and Fred Durst https://t.co/rIIwnoxzth
— Pitchfork (@pitchfork) February 5, 2025
A final goodbye
Formed in Birmingham in 1968, Black Sabbath became one of the most successful heavy metal bands of all time, selling over 75 million albums worldwide. Osbourne last made a surprise appearance with Iommi at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, thrilling fans with an unexpected mini-reunion.
Although Osbourne had initially planned a farewell tour in 2023, he was forced to cancel due to health complications. “My singing voice is fine. However, after three operations, stem cell treatments, endless physical therapy, and most recently groundbreaking Cybernics (HAL) Treatment, my body is still physically weak,” he previously explained.
Tickets for the highly anticipated concert go on sale February 14, with proceeds benefiting various charities.