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Black Sabbath, the godfathers of heavy metal, are reuniting one last time for a legendary farewell concert in their hometown of Birmingham. On July 5, the iconic band will headline a spectacular festival at Villa Park, featuring a lineup of rock legends including Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, and Anthrax.
The event, titled Back to the Beginning, will mark the first time in 20 years that all four original members—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—share the stage. And for Osbourne, this will be his final performance, closing the chapter on his legendary career.
At 76, Ozzy has faced major health challenges, including Parkinson's disease and spinal injuries that have limited his ability to tour. Despite these obstacles, he's determined to bid his fans a proper farewell. His wife and longtime manager, Sharon Osbourne, confirmed, "Ozzy didn't have a chance to say goodbye to his fans. This is his full stop."
The event will also feature a "supergroup" of rock and metal icons, including Billy Corgan, Slash, Fred Durst, Wolfgang Van Halen, and Tom Morello, all paying tribute to the band's legacy.
The proceeds from the festival will go toward causes close to Osbourne's heart, including Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and Acorn Children's Hospice.
Black Sabbath originally formed in 1968 and revolutionized rock music with dark, heavy sounds that laid the groundwork for modern metal. Their classics like Paranoid, War Pigs, and Iron Man have influenced countless musicians.
In 2017, Black Sabbath performed what was thought to be their final show at the NEC Arena in Birmingham. However, for Ozzy, there was unfinished business. He recently told Rolling Stone UK, "I'm not going to get up there and do a half-hearted Ozzy looking for sympathy... I want to go out with a bang."
Fans worldwide will be flocking to Birmingham to witness history. For Black Sabbath, this is more than just a concert—it's a celebration of their legacy and a final salute to the city where it all began.
