In brief
The iconic band, after a lengthy hiatus and numerous health setbacks, will perform together for the first time in over 20 years at Villa Park, featuring various supporting acts and a star-studded "supergroup."
Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath, the pioneering forces behind heavy metal, have announced they will reunite for one final concert in Birmingham on July 5. This highly anticipated event, titled "Back To The Beginning," will take place at Villa Park and aim to raise funds for Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and Acorn Children's Hospice. The concert will feature an impressive lineup including artists like Metallica, Pantera, and Slayer, celebrating the band's lasting legacy and influence. Fans will witness the original members—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—sharing the stage for the first time in 20 years. Ozzy Osbourne, who has faced significant health challenges, including Parkinson's disease and spinal injuries, is set to perform a brief solo set before joining his legendary bandmates. His wife, Sharon Osbourne, expressed that this concert holds immense significance for Ozzy, providing him with an opportunity to say goodbye to fans and friends. "This is his full stop," she stated, underlining the emotional weight of the performance for the 76-year-old rocker. The event's musical director, guitarist Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine, promises an unforgettable experience, declaring it "the greatest heavy metal show ever." The concert will also feature a "supergroup" comprising heavyweights like Billy Corgan, Slash, Fred Durst, Wolfgang Van Halen, and many others, performing a fusion of Black Sabbath and Ozzy's classic songs. Black Sabbath, formed in 1968, is widely recognized as the founders of heavy metal and last performed a farewell show in 2017. Fans can expect a setlist rich in nostalgia, highlighting their most celebrated tracks. Following their 2017 farewell concert, which drew over 16,000 fans, Osbourne continued to pursue a solo career, releasing albums like "Ordinary Man" and "Patient Number 9." Despite numerous health obstacles preventing extensive touring, Osbourne revealed in a recent interview his eagerness to return to the stage. He shared his determination to give nothing less than his best performance, emphasizing he isn't ready to take the stage in a wheelchair. This concert in Birmingham not only honors his legacy but also reinforces the deep bond he has with his fans.
