As the curtains rise on what may be the greatest heavy metal spectacle of our time, Ozzy Osbourne’s swan song concert is poised to resonate through the hearts of rock fans worldwide.
At a Glance
● The original lineup of Black Sabbath will reunite for a final one-off concert, “Back To The Beginning,” in their hometown of Birmingham, England, on July 5.
● The show will be the final live performance for frontman Ozzy Osbourne, 76, due to his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease.
● The event is a massive heavy metal festival, with supporting acts including Metallica and Slayer.
● Proceeds from the concert will benefit three charities: Cure Parkinson’s UK, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice.
A Final Farewell in Birmingham
The legendary godfathers of heavy metal, Black Sabbath, are set to play one final show in their hometown of Birmingham, England. The concert, billed as “Back To The Beginning,” will take place at Villa Park on Saturday, July 5, 2025, and will see the reunion of the band’s original lineup—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—for the first time in over 20 years.
For frontman Ozzy Osbourne, the concert marks a poignant and emotional farewell. Due to his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease, the 76-year-old “Prince of Darkness” has announced that this will be his final live performance, a swan song in the city where it all began. “Birmingham is a city that means so much to Ozzy,” his wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne, told the NM. “When it comes to heavy metal music, Black Sabbath forming… it all started here.”
A Gathering of Metal Titans
The farewell show is more than just a concert; it’s a massive heavy metal festival. The lineup features some of the biggest names in the genre, including Metallica and Slayer, who are coming out of retirement for the special occasion. A “super-group” of other famous metal musicians is also scheduled to perform.
“This will be the greatest heavy metal show ever,” Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, a long-time fan, told The Sun.
A Legacy Beyond the Music
The event is not only a celebration of music but also a major charitable endeavor.
Proceeds from the concert will be donated to Cure Parkinson’s UK, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice. The show is also expected to provide a massive economic boost to the city of Birmingham, with an estimated 300,000 visitors expected to flood the city for the historic weekend.Black Sabbath donation to help hospice families https://t.co/3SHsAgGmtQ
— BBC Midlands (@bbcmtd) July 1, 2025
Despite his health challenges, Ozzy has remained defiant and committed to his fans. When asked about retirement, he famously told the BBC, “You know the time I will retire? When I can hear them nail a lid on my box. And then I’ll do an encore.” This final show is his chance to deliver on that promise.