Ozzy Osbourne to join Black Sabbath for one last show
What's the story
In a surprising development, legendary heavy metal vocalist Ozzy Osbourne has announced a reunion with his former bandmates from Black Sabbath for a farewell concert. It will be the first time they perform together in two decades. The show will take place on July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, England. In an announcement on X (formerly Twitter), Osbourne said he was excited to return to his roots with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward.
Concert details
Osbourne's solo set and star-studded lineup for the show
Osbourne will take the stage for a solo set before he joins Black Sabbath for their last act. The concert, Back to the Beginning, boasts an incredible lineup of artists including Metallica, Slayer, Lamb of God, Alice in Chains, and Anthrax. Pantera, Gojira, Halestorm, and Mastodon among others will also perform. The concert's music director Tom Morello has called it "the greatest heavy metal show ever."
Twitter Post
Here's the full post by Osbourne
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
Band history
Black Sabbath's legacy and Osbourne's health struggles
Formed in Birmingham in 1968, Black Sabbath has sold over 75 million albums worldwide. Osbourne initially left Black Sabbath in late 1977. After rejoining to record Never Say Die!, Osbourne was dismissed again in 1979 due to substance abuse issues. The group split in 1984. Over the next 12 years, the band experienced numerous lineup changes. However, the original members—Osbourne, Iommi, Butler, and Ward—reunited in 1997, releasing a live album titled Reunion the following year and touring intermittently until 2005.
Charity initiative
Osbourne's final wish and concert proceeds
In 2022, Osbourne and guitarist Iommi surprised fans with a mini-reunion at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. However, due to health issues, Osbourne had to cancel his farewell tour which was set to begin in 2023. Osbourne—now 76—told Rolling Stone that he would "die a happy man" if he could perform one last show to thank fans. His wife, Sharon Osbourne, teased this concert in an interview last year. Tickets for the concert will go on sale from February 14.