Rock icon Ozzy Osbourne has officially said goodbye to live performances, marking his final show alongside the original members of Black Sabbath in a historic reunion concert.
The performance, held Saturday in Birmingham, England, brought together Osbourne, bassist Geezer Butler, drummer Bill Ward, and guitarist Tony Iommi for the first time in two decades.
Titled “Back to the Beginning,” the concert was described on Black Sabbath’s official website as Osbourne’s “farewell performance.”
Despite health challenges, Osbourne took the stage seated in a throne-like black chair adorned with a bat emblem. The 75-year-old singer revealed in 2020 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.
“Your support over the years has made it all possible for us to live the lifestyle we live,” Osbourne told the crowd before launching into the band’s final song of the night, “Paranoid.” “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you. We love you.”
The legendary metal band also performed classics such as “Iron Man,” “N.I.B.,” and “War Pigs” during their set.
Earlier in the show, Osbourne delivered solo hits including “Crazy Train,” “Mr. Crowley,” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” as seen in footage shared on social media.
The event was hosted by actor Jason Momoa and featured performances from some of the biggest names in rock and metal, including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, and Alice in Chains.
Proceeds from the concert and livestream benefited Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice, according to Billboard.
Special guests throughout the evening included Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan, Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, and Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker.
Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler also took the stage, joining Morello for a performance of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.”
Black Sabbath, formed in Birmingham in 1968, is widely regarded as a pioneer of the heavy metal genre. The original lineup, Osbourne, Butler, Ward, and Iommi, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 and has won two Grammy Awards.
The band’s farewell has been years in the making. Their “The End Tour,” previously billed as their final run, concluded with a 2017 concert film.
Since then, there have been ongoing speculations about a reunion, with “Back to the Beginning” officially announced in February.
Following his Parkinson’s diagnosis, Osbourne opened up about the emotional toll of the condition in an interview with ABC’s Robin Roberts. “I feel better now that I’ve owned up to the fact that I have a case of Parkinson’s,” he said.
“And I just hope (my fans) hang on and they’re there for me because I need them,” he added.
