Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne bids farewell with Black Sabbath reunion
The legendary rocker told thousands of heavy metal enthusiasts at Villa Park, Birmingham – a stone's throw from where Black Sabbath was formed in 1968 – that it was 'so good to be on this stage' as he performed his last set from a large black throne.
Osbourne and his fellow original Black Sabbath members – Tony Iommi, Terence 'Geezer' Butler and Bill Ward – were the last to appear on stage as part of a star-studded line-up for the Back to the Beginning concert.
Among the bands performing were Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N'Roses, and there were messages of thanks from other celebrities, including Jack Black, Ricky Gervais and Dolly Parton.
Osbourne – who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019 – plans to continue to record music, but said that the concert marked the end for him performing live.
The 76-year-old, nicknamed the Prince of Darkness, entered the stage for the final time by rising on his throne through a trap door. PA Media Bassist Terence 'Geezer' Butler, drummer Bill Ward, singer Ozzy Osbourne and guitarist Tony Iommi pictured in 2005
He started the performance by saying: 'Let me hear you. Are you ready? Let the madness begin!'
Later, he added: 'It's so good to be on this f***** stage. You have no idea. I f****** love you all. Let me see your hands in the air. You are the best, each and every one of you. God bless you all.'
In an emotional moment, Ozzy said: 'I don't know what to say, man, I've been laid up for like six years. You have no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart.
'You're all f****** special. Let's go crazy, come on.'
The rocker – who wore his signature black attire and thick eye makeup – sang five songs in his own set, with fans waving torches from their phones during Mama, I'm Coming Home.
He finished his performance with Crazy Train, before confetti rained over a packed Villa Park.
After a short break, he re-entered the stage to join the rest of Black Sabbath – for the first time in 20 years – in a special reunion.
The band performed some of their greatest hits to the adoration of the crowd, ending with a rendition of Paranoid for the ultimate send-off.
Fans chanted 'Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy' as the rock legend thanked and blew kisses to those in attendance, before departing in an emotional ending to cap off an illustrious career on stage.
Video messages from celebrities made clear the impact both Osbourne and Black Sabbath have had on the music industry.
In one of the messages before his performance, Sir Elton John told Osbourne: '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 crap in the last few years – I hope this is the best day of your life so far.'
In his message, taken in the bath, Gervais quipped: 'My everlasting memory of you will be from when we were on the Graham Norton Show together, and they had to stop the recording because we both needed a piss, so maybe have one before you go on stage tonight. Have a great one.'
Dozens of fans also sent in personal videos that were broadcast at the event, crediting Osbourne and Black Sabbath for inventing heavy metal and thanking them for their generational influence on music.
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BBC News
14 hours ago
- BBC News
Ozzy Osbourne fans' joy after paying £666 for Comic Con meeting
You can wait your whole life to meet Ozzy Osbourne and then four of the clan turn up at how things went down at Comic Con Midlands on Saturday when, one week on from Black Sabbath's farewell gig in Birmingham, the so-called Prince of Darkness was back in the city to offer fans a meet and greet with himself plus Sharon, Jack and that's a lot of Osbournes in one go and for the rare privilege - plus a photo opportunity and autographs - guests had to pay a thematically-fitting £ may say the expense was - ahem - batty, but for those happy to pay, it was a "once in a lifetime" thing, with some fans shaking with emotion after their encounter while others grinned with joy. Among the fans who formed a snaking queue at the NEC, and waited more than an hour to get to the front, were Christy Willison, who said: "I've seen Ozzy live many times but I've never had the chance to meet him, I've been a fan for 30-odd said she couldn't explain how she felt after hearing Ozzy's voice for the first time in person as he asked for some water during the event."I've waited a long time for this, I'm shaking," she said. Some heavy metal enthusiasts are still in Birmingham a week after the Sabbath gig, including Danielle Coulter who travelled from Indiana in the US to watch the said she loved visiting all the Black Sabbath sights in "cool and hip" Birmingham, and said the people were "really genuine and down-to-earth". She could barely contain her joy as she prepared to meet Ozzy, describing him as the "metal godfather" that "blessed us" with music. "I'm so excited to be here, I love Ozzy more than anything," she said. "Coming here is my first overseas trip and I would only do that for Ozzy." While meet and greet ticket prices were already in the hundreds for many, some fans said they paid about £1,500 for the autograph on an album or toy were an extra £375 per item, while a signature on a microphone or guitar would have set you back £ were strict during the event as the Osbournes sat behind a black curtain, with them visible only to those who had paid. Comic Con Midlands said that fans who were unable to attend the event could pre-order photos and autographs. As Andy Coleman walked out of his photo opportunity, he was smiling from ear to ear and described the experience as "surreal". "They smiled and said 'thank you for being here' and that was it, but it was just such a magical moment," he said he had waited happily for the meeting, adding the event had given him the chance to "spend more time" with the family and that his photo would be framed in his office."I never thought I'd get the opportunity to meet Ozzy, it was just the most surreal moment," he said. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Kelly Osbourne reveals TRUTH behind parents Sharon and Ozzy's 'suicide pact'
has revealed the truth behind the 'suicide pact' that her parents Ozzy and Sharon claimed to have made years earlier. The TV personality, 40 - who recently became engaged to partner Sid Wilson this month - jumped to her Instagram stories on Friday to address the speculation and also slammed reports that her rock star father is 'dying.' Back in 2023 on The Osbournes podcast, Sharon stated that euthanasia was 'still a plan' for both herself and the Crazy Train hitmaker and questioned, 'Do you think that we're gonna suffer?' The topic had been brought up separate times in the past, with Ozzy saying in 2014 that physician-assisted suicide would be an option if they had any 'life-threatening condition.' However in a new clip, Kelly expressed, 'I don't know what side of the bed I woke up on today, but I woke up on a f***ing I'm gonna f*** you up and fight you day. 'Stop making articles or posts about how you think my parents are having a suicide pact,' she firmly said. 'That was bulls*** my mom said to get attention one time. And my dad's not dying. Stop!' Back in 2023 on The Osbournes podcast, Sharon stated that euthanasia was 'still a plan' for both herself and the Crazy Train hitmaker and questioned, 'Do you think that we're gonna suffer?'; seen in 2020 in Beverly Hills In a separate reel, Kelly also brought up a viral AI video of her father saying that he is 'dying.' 'So, there's this video going around on social media and it's supposed to be of my dad and it's AI,' the mom-of-one said. 'And it has a voice like my dad's David Attenborough or something and it starts out saying, "I don't need a doctor to tell me that I'm going to die. I know I'm going to die."' Osbourne paused and then frustratingly added, 'What the f*** is wrong with you people? Why would you spend your time making a video like this? He's not dying!' She continued, 'Yes, he has Parkinson's. And yes his mobility is completely different that it used to be but he's not f***ing dying. What is wrong with you?' Kelly additionally included a screenshot to give an example of comments filtering on social media platforms such as: 'Tell us Ozzy is going to be dying soon without telling us he's going to be dying soon.' Earlier this month in Birmingham, Ozzy took to the stage for his final live show - amid his battle with Parkinson's after being initially diagnosed with the disease in 2003. A few years earlier on The Osbournes podcast, the topic of a 'suicide pact' that both he and Sharon made was brought up by their son Jack. Kelly additionally included a screenshot to give an example of comments filtering on social media platforms such as: 'Tell us Ozzy is going to be dying soon without telling us he's going to be dying soon' A few years earlier on The Osbournes podcast, the topic of a 'suicide pact' that both he and Sharon made was brought up by their son Jack; seen in 2004 in Beverly Hills When he asked if euthanasia was 'still a plan' for them both, his mom replied with, 'Do you think that we're gonna suffer?' Jack then said, 'Aren't we already all suffering?' and Sharon continued to offer her view on the matter. 'Yes, we all are, but I don't want it to actually hurt, as well. Mental suffering is enough pain without physical. So if you've got mental and physical, see ya.' Kelly - who also appeared on the podcast episode at the time - asked her mom, 'But what if you could survive?' The British-born star answered, 'Yeah, what if you survived and you can't wipe your own a**, you're pissing everywhere, s****ing, can't eat.' The topic was also previously brought up when Sharon interviewed with The Mirror back in 2007 when she released her own autobiography titled Survivor: My Story - The Next Chapter. She expressed, 'Ozzy and I have absolutely come to the same decision. 'We believe 100 per cent in euthanasia so have drawn up plans to go to the assisted suicide flat in Switzerland if we ever have an illness that affects our brains. If Ozzy or I ever got Alzheimer's, that's it - we'd be off.' 'We believe 100 per cent in euthanasia so have drawn up plans to go to the assisted suicide flat in Switzerland if we ever have an illness that affects our brains. If Ozzy or I ever got Alzheimer's, that's it - we'd be off,' she said; seen in 2020 in L.A. The X Factor alum further explained, 'We gathered the kids around the kitchen table, told them our wishes and they've all agreed to go with it. 'I saw my father suffer from the day he came back into my life in 2002 to the day he died in July. There's no way I could go through what he did, or put my kids through that.' She added, 'At least with something like cancer you can communicate, say how you feel and explain why your body hurts.' She then referenced to her father again by stating, 'But my father deteriorated at such a rapid speed he became a shell of himself - dribbling, wearing a diaper and tied into a wheelchair because he didn't realize he could no longer walk. 'Some say the disease is hereditary so at the first sign I want to be put out of my misery.' The star continued, 'Ozzy and I have asked our lawyers to make the appropriate arrangements. It's taken away some of the fear of our ending and is a final gift of love to our kids.' Over a decade ago in 2014, Ozzy spoke with the Daily Mirror and said physician-assisted suicide was an option if they had a 'life-threatening condition.' He said, 'If I can't live my life the way I'm living it now - and I don't mean financially - then that's it...[Switzerland].' Osbourne also told the outlet, 'If I can't get up and go to the bathroom myself and I've got tubes up my ass and an enema in my throat, then I've said to Sharon, "Just turn the machine off." 'If I had a stroke and was paralyzed, I don't want to be here. I've made a will and it's all going to Sharon if I die before her, so ultimately it will all go to the kids.' Over the past weekend, Ozzy took to the stage at Villa Park Stadium in Birmingham, U.K. for his final live show as he reunited with Black Sabbath. After being welcomed by cheers and applause from fans at the venue, the singer offered an emotional message. 'You have no idea how I feel,' the star - who has notably undergone seven surgeries in the past five years - expressed to the audience. He belted out lyrics to the crowd while sitting on a throne on the stage and exclaimed, 'It's so good to be on this f***ing stage. Let the madness begin!' Along with performing with original members of Black Sabbath, the singer also had the chance to do a solo set for the sold-out stadium. The evening was even more memorable as Ozzy was supported by his family. Kelly was also in attendance and her partner Sid Wilson proposed to her backstage in front of her parents.
Metro
a day ago
- Metro
Kelly Osbourne hits out at reports Sharon and Ozzy have 'suicide pact'
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video An angry Kelly Osbourne has blasted claims that her famous parents have a 'suicide pact'. The 40-year-old TV personality is the proud daughter of Sharon Osbourne and Ozzy Osbourne. The A-list pair, who have been together for over 30 years, also have daughter Aimee, 41, and son Jack, 39, while Ozzy fathers two other children from his first marriage. Ozzy's waning health hasn't been a secret in recent years, with the Black Sabbath rocker, 76, revealing his Parkinson's diagnosis in 2020 and now requiring mobility aids and assistance to get around. However, Kelly has no time for anyone thinking her beloved father is 'dying'. Several years ago, former X Factor judge Sharon, 72, revealed that she and Ozzy had a plan to end their lives if they became incapacitated. Then, in 2023, Mrs. O said the assisted suicide pact was still in place, telling her family's The Osbournes Podcast: 'Mental suffering is enough pain without physical. So if you've got mental and physical, see ya!' But now, Kelly has said her mother was simply 'making up' the pact, taking to Instagram with a rant as AI-generated videos have resurfaced on the topic and started suggesting Ozzy might not have long to live. 'So, there's this video going around on social media, and it's supposed to be of my dad, and it's AI, and it has a voice like my dad's David Attenborough or something,' she began. 'And it starts out saying, 'I don't need a doctor to tell me that I'm going to die, I know I'm going to die'.' 'What the f**k is wrong with you people?', Kelly then raged. 'Why would you spend your time making a video like this?' Making matters clear on her father's health issues, she stated: 'He's not dying. Yes, he has Parkinson's, and yes, his mobility is completely different than it used to be, but he's not f***ing dying. What is wrong with you?' In a second Insta Story, Kelly vented about the claims of her parents' suicide pact: 'I don't know what side of the bed I woke up on today, but I woke up on the f***ing I'm gonna f**k you up and fight you day. 'Stop making articles or posts about how you think my parents are having a suicide pact. That was bulls**t my mum said to get attention one time. And my dad's not dying. Stop.' Kelly also reposted some of the alarming AI videos, including ones that supposedly feature 'signs' that Ozzy has 'already decided to leave this world' and how Sharon and Ozzy 'plan on heading to Dignitas at the first sign of Alzheimer's or dementia'. Over a decade ago, Sharon first revealed she and her husband had drawn up plans for assisted dying if they ended up becoming so unwell that they could no longer function. She told The Mirror in 2007: 'We believe 100% in euthanasia, so [we] have drawn up plans to go to the assisted suicide flat in Switzerland if we ever have an illness that affects our brains. If Ozzy or I ever got Alzheimer's, that's it—we'd be off. 'We gathered the kids around the kitchen table, told them our wishes, and they've all agreed to go with it.' Then, three years back, Sharon, whose father died from Alzheimer's almost 20 years ago, reiterated her apparent beliefs at the time on the family pod. Quizzed on the matter by her son, Sharon jokingly replied: 'Do you think that we're gonna suffer?', to which Jack quipped: 'Aren't we already all suffering?' Sharon then said: 'Yes, we all are, but I don't want it to actually hurt, as well.' When Kelly proposed that her mother could survive an illness, Sharon argued that she might still lose her ability to perform basic human functions. 'Yeah, what if you survived and you can't wipe your own ass, you're p***ing everywhere, s****ing, can't eat,' she responded. Kelly's social media rant comes after her dad bowed out from performing live last weekend with his final gig in Birmingham's Villa Park. Before being joined by his Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, Ozzy gave rock fans one final treat with a solo set at the Back to the Beginning show. He told the 40,000-strong crowd: 'It's so good to be on this stage. You have no idea.' Later, getting emotional ahead of the final song, the Crazy Train hitmaker thanked the audience, adding: 'Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle… thank you from the bottom of our hearts.' More Trending Due to being less mobile after a fall at home in 2019, which aggravated injuries from a near-fatal quad bike crash in 2003, Ozzy performed his set sitting down—but, of course, he made a grand entrance on a leather throne with a bat on top. And the on-stage action wasn't the only talking point of the night, as Kelly herself made headlines when her boyfriend, Sid Wilson, asked her a very important question. Backstage and in the presence of her family, the Slipknot star, who confirmed his romance with Kelly in 2022 and shares a son with her, got down on one knee with a dazzling custom diamond ring. A stunned yet overjoyed Kelly said yes, jumping into his arms to celebrate. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Rock frontman addresses 'deafening booing' at Black Sabbath's and Ozzy Osbourne's final concert MORE: Black Sabbath's Back to the Beginning was monumental – but I left disappointed MORE: Black Sabbath final show sparks backlash after 'scumbag' musician's appearance
