The iconic Ozzy Osbourne and the legendary Black Sabbath celebrated their final concert together with an unforgettable farewell at Birmingham’s Villa Park on Saturday, July 5. This historic event marked the culmination of an extraordinary musical journey that began over five decades ago, leaving a lasting impact on the world of heavy metal.

Titled ‘Back to Beginning,’ this spectacular gig was a heartfelt tribute to Ozzy Osbourne and the metal giants who originated in Birmingham back in 1968. Organized by Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s wife and longtime manager, in collaboration with Live Nation, the concert was a fitting homage to their groundbreaking influence on the music industry.

Over the years, Ozzy Osbourne has bravely battled various health issues, and Saturday’s performance served as a poignant retirement celebration for this legendary artist and his fellow Black Sabbath bandmates. Now 76 years old, Ozzy faces the challenges of advanced Parkinson’s disease, which has affected his mobility but has not diminished his ability to sing and perform live. The concert also aimed to contribute to charitable causes, with proceeds benefiting organizations such as Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice, a facility supported by Aston Villa.

The event featured a stellar lineup that began at 1 p.m. BST, showcasing a multitude of renowned performers. Alongside Black Sabbath, fans were treated to live sets from Metallica, Slayer, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Pantera, Anthrax, and numerous other iconic bands, making it a dream come true for rock music enthusiasts.

Throughout the day, several artists paid tribute to Black Sabbath by performing covers of their classic hits. Notably, British rocker Yungblud captivated the audience with a rendition of “Changes” accompanied by an all-star band. Additionally, Anthrax delivered a powerful performance of “Electric Funeral” from the iconic 1970 album Paranoid, while Guns N’ Roses took the stage to perform “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” as part of their setlist.

The grand spectacle unfolded over an impressive 11 hours, with actor Jason Momoa serving as the charismatic host. The entire event was also broadcast live on a global pay-per-view platform, allowing hundreds of thousands of fans to join in from around the world. Access to the live stream was priced at £25 ($34), providing fans with a chance to experience this monumental occasion remotely.

Many prominent figures took the opportunity to pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath, highlighting their profound influence on the music landscape. James Hetfield of Metallica expressed heartfelt gratitude by stating, “Without Sabbath there would be no Metallica. Thank you boys for giving us purpose in life.” Additionally, Elton John conveyed his admiration with a touching message to Ozzy: “You are one of the most remarkable singers of our time… You are the king, you are the legend. You’ve been through so much in the last few years. I hope this is the best day of your life so far.”

The event reached its climax during the final hour, featuring a couple of electrifying sets from Ozzy Osbourne. His first performance included five iconic tracks from his extensive solo career, showcasing his exceptional talent alongside members of his well-known touring band. During these performances, Ozzy commanded the stage from a throne, demonstrating his resilience and passion for music, captivating the audience.

To close out the spectacular event, Ozzy reunited with his original Black Sabbath bandmates, including Tony Iommi (guitar), Bill Ward (drums), and Geezer Butler (bass), for a memorable final performance. This marked the first time that Bill Ward had played with the band since 2005, making the reunion even more significant and emotional for fans and bandmates alike.

For those interested, you can discover the complete setlist from Ozzy’s remarkable performances below.