logo
Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne bids farewell with Black Sabbath reunion

Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne bids farewell with Black Sabbath reunion

Rock superstar Ozzy Osbourne bid farewell to fans with a Black Sabbath reunion in his final ever live performance.
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.
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.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Kelly Osbourne shares heart-wrenching tribute to Ozzy Osbourne following his death aged 76
Kelly Osbourne shares heart-wrenching tribute to Ozzy Osbourne following his death aged 76

Daily Mail​

time20 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Kelly Osbourne shares heart-wrenching tribute to Ozzy Osbourne following his death aged 76

Kelly Osbourne has shared another moving tribute to late father Ozzy with social media followers, six days after his 'unexpected' death. The Black Sabbath legend passed away at his Buckinghamshire home on July 22 following a lengthy battle with Parkinson's disease. Little more than a fortnight earlier, the 76-year old Osbourne had reunited with former bandmates Tony Iommi, 'Geezer' Butler and Bill Ward for an emotional farewell show at Birmingham 's Villa Park - the home of his beloved Aston Villa. Returning to Instagram on Monday, daughter Kelly, 40 - who accepted partner Sid Wilson's marriage proposal at the show - drew attention to the close bond she shared with her father in an undated video of the pair, filmed when she was a teenager. Perched on Ozzy's knee in the brief clip, Kelly appears to reference his notoriously colourful use of the English language after telling an accompanying camera crew: 'I can't say f**k, I have to behave myself.' Pulling her in for a hug, Ozzy jokes: 'Terrible isn't it, the way children speak these days?' 'But I learned from you daddy, it's alright,' she replies, to which he adds: 'You learned from the best, baby.' On Wednesday, MailOnline revealed that an air ambulance was called to Osbourne's multi-million-pound country home as paramedics battled to save his life. The Thames Valley air ambulance landed in a field close to Welders House, the singer's Grade II listed mansion on Tuesday morning at around 10.30am. It's believed that calls from Welders House had led call handlers to believe that the Black Sabbath singer's life was in the balance. A chopper was dispatched from Thames Valley ambulance base at RAF Benson in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, some 27 miles from the mansion which is located close to the village of Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire. The crew were airborne for around 15 minutes before landing in the grounds of the mansion and were then with Osbourne for around two hours, trying but failing to save his life, it's understood. The statement announcing his death was signed by four of his children, and it remains a mystery why his two other children, Jessica and Elliot, were snubbed from the family tribute. Osbourne took to the stage for his farewell concert at Villa Park Stadium in his native Birmingham less than three weeks before his death. The rocker reunited with his original Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the first time since 2005 to bid an emotional farewell to his decades of performing live on stage. After selling out in minutes, over 42,000 fans packed into Villa Park for the aptly-titled Back to the Beginning show, which saw Osbourne and Black Sabbath return to their hometown - 56 years after they formed there. The final photograph of him before his death was taken on stage as he sat on a black throne aptly decorated with a bat to perform his best-known hits for his loyal fans. His final words on stage were: 'It's the last song ever. Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.' A message on screen then read: 'Thank you for everything, you guys are f***ing amazing. Birmingham Forever,' before the sky lit up with fireworks.

Ozzy Osbourne's grieving family ‘sickened' by vile online trolls' theories about rock icon's tragic death
Ozzy Osbourne's grieving family ‘sickened' by vile online trolls' theories about rock icon's tragic death

Scottish Sun

timean hour ago

  • Scottish Sun

Ozzy Osbourne's grieving family ‘sickened' by vile online trolls' theories about rock icon's tragic death

OZZY Osbourne's family have hit out at "sickening" theories emerging online about the rock legend's tragic death. The Black Sabbath frontman, 76, died "surrounded by love" at his multi-million-pound home in Welders, Buckinghamshire, last week. Advertisement 8 Sharon was by his side when he tragically passed away Credit: Getty 8 Ozzy took to the stage for the final time on July 5 Credit: Ross Halfin 8 He died at his home in Welders, Buckinghamshire, last week Credit: Getty Sharon, his wife of 43 years and mum to their children Aimee, Jack and Kelly, was by his side when he sadly passed. Air Ambulance crews rushed to the family mansion to save the singer - who was suffering from Parkinson's disease - in his final moments. A statement signed by his family said: "He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time." But online trolls are now peddling "disgusting" rumours that the Brummie icon decided to take his own life. Advertisement The topic was even discussed on US radio stations, including Sirius XM, where the rock icon had his own channel. Sharon, Kelly and Jack are 'sickened' by the false narratives, which claim that they were involved in his decision end his own life. A family friend said last night: 'The family are still grieving and to deal with this bull*** is vile. "It has deeply sickened Sharon and the children. Ozzy passed away at home and the paramedics tried to save him - fact. Advertisement 'It is simply disgusting, because these social media idiots are not credible, but somehow their narrative is spreading every day. "Even though they have no knowledge, other online users treat this fake news as fact. The raft of trolls and rumours has spiralled in recent days. 'It is quite sick that people would think that Ozzy would do such a thing. Ozzy and Kelly Osbourne performing their version of Changes together 'The man absolutely loved being around his family and his grandchildren especially. Advertisement "Vile comments have come in to the family's feeds accusing them of being involved in some kind of conspiracy. It has horrified them all.' The false allegations have been shared tens of thousands of times, appearing on news websites and across various social media platforms. AI videos seemed to show Ozzy making secret lengthy confessions about ending his life on his own terms after his farewell concert. The insider added: 'Ozzy had been in great spirits following his farewell show, but he also had lots to look forward to in the upcoming months. Advertisement 'There's no way he would've taken his life, because no matter how tough his physical and medical conditions were, being with his family and especially his grandchildren provided him with immense joy and huge highs. 'Not only was he working on a TV project about his astonishing farewell show, but he was lined up to film his reality series called Home to Roost for the BBC. 'He was looking forward also to promoting his memoir in September. 'Sharon has really taken Ozzy's passing so, so hard. They were such a strong force together. Advertisement "She'd seen him come off an amazing high with the Sabbath farewell and they were relishing putting together the film project and the documentary over the next few weeks. More on Ozzy Osbourne... 'Ozzy could not have been more emotionally moved by what happened at Villa Park. With the way fans reacted and how the biggest names in rock music came to support him. 'That high really made Sharon so happy. Not only because she had played such a key role in making it happen, but also because it had bolstered Ozzy's spirits and day-to-day they lived for each other. Advertisement "It can't be underestimated how much Sharon supported Ozzy as he dealt with dark moments, knowing that his mobility was suffering and the pain he was going through. "I mean, it was really a powerful partnership. And now Sharon is devastated that his journey's coming to an end.' Last week, Ozzy's daughter Kelly, 40, paid an emotional tribute to her father, who died just days after watching her get engaged. She shared the poignant lyrics to Black Sabbath's 'Changes' - a hit she and her dad released their own version of together in 2003. Advertisement The track soared to number one in the UK charts at the time, with the duo known for their close bond over the years. In a poignant nod to the song, Kelly wrote on Instagram: "I feel unhappy I am so sad. I lost the best friend I ever had." 8 Kelly, Ozzy, Sharon and Jack Osbourne at the GRAMMY Awards in 2014 Credit: Getty - Contributor 8 Ozzy's star on the Walk of Fame Credit: AFP Advertisement 8 Tributes placed at the Birmingham bridge and bench dedicated to Ozzy's band Black Sabbath Credit: EPA Just weeks earlier, Kelly got engaged to her boyfriend Sid Wilson, 48, at the veteran rocker's final concert. She shared a video of the moment Sid popped the question backstage at her father's final ever Black Sabbath gig on July 5. Ozzy's death came just 17 days after his farewell performance at the Villa Park stadium in Birmingham. Advertisement The concert raised £140million for charities including Birmingham's Acorns Children's Hospice, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and Cure Parkinson's. Tributes have since piled in from stars including Sir Rod Stewart, Noel Gallagher and Sir Elton John. Shortly prior to his passing, the Changes hitmaker told of his strict health monitoring and medical check-ins. On his Sirius XM show in May, Ozzy said: "I am constantly in training seven days a week. Advertisement "I have got this guy who's virtually living with me and I am in bed by seven. "I used to have to take a handful of f***ing sleeping pills. "Now I don't take anything. I am having my blood pressure taken 15 times a day. "I've got this f***ing device on my finger. It's a monitor to say how my heart rate is.' Advertisement He then said of his life approach: "I'm just taking it one day at a time. "Ask him upstairs. In my case, the one below." This month's gig was touted as "the greatest heavy metal show ever," with Ozzy grinning to chanting fans as he thanked them for all they had done for him. Ozzy became known as the "Prince of Darkness" in his six-decade career thanks to his on-stage antics that attracted a legion of heavy rock fans. Advertisement The legend cemented his place in rock history early in his career with controversial displays such as biting the head off a bat. 8 Kelly paid a touching tribute to her father Credit: Splash

Kelly Osbourne shares heartbreaking video sat in arms of dad Ozzy
Kelly Osbourne shares heartbreaking video sat in arms of dad Ozzy

Daily Mirror

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mirror

Kelly Osbourne shares heartbreaking video sat in arms of dad Ozzy

In the sweet clip shared by Kelly Osbourne, dad Ozzy pulls her into line over her bad language before brilliantly telling his daughter that she 'learned from the best' Mourning Kelly Osbourne has shared another sweet memory of dad Ozzy after uploading a fun video of herself sitting with her arms draped around him. ‌ The pair cuddle on a sofa as they speak on camera, with Kelly keen to mind her language. Uploading the cute clip to Instagram, the pink-haired daughter of the Prince of Darkness is quick to remind him where she picked up her ability to turn the air blue. ‌ "I can't say f***, I have to behave myself," she said, sitting on her famously foul-mouthed dad's lap. He responds: "You can't say what?" Not reacting, Kelly strokes him gently on the face. Blunt Ozzy then tells his daughter: "Terrible isn't it, the way children speak these days?" ‌ Kelly bites, and then tells him: "But I learned from you, dad." Smiling, he responds: "You learned from the best, baby." The 40-year-old returned to social media on Friday, three days after the death of the Black Sabbath legend, whose passing was announced on Tuesday. ‌ Kelly shared lyrics to her Instagram Stories from the Black Sabbath song Changes, in an emotional tribute that calls back to a special father-daughter moment. Changes, which Ozzy co-wrote with his bandmates, was first released by Black Sabbath in 1972. In 2003, he and Kelly recorded a version as a duet with revised lyrics that reflected on their bond. The song was a No. 1 hit in the U.K., and they became just the second father-daughter pair to top the charts, after Frank and Nancy Sinatra in 1967. Kelly has now taken to Instagram to share a heartbreaking update, writing: "I feel unhappy I am so sad," Kelly wrote: "I lost the best friend I ever had." ‌ Heartbroken fans have since been leaving tributes outside his Buckinghamshire home, with flowers and loving message laid outside the gates. Half-drunk pints and bottles of beer have also been left alongside candles as mourners toast the rock icon on Birmingham's Black Sabbath bridge. A source shared with People about Ozzy's last moments, saying, "Ozzy's final days were spent in England, surrounded by family, music and in the place he called home. He was in peace." Ozzy announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2020 and said that his daughter Kelly Osbourne had helped amid the diagnosis and other health issues. Following the news of his diagnosis, Kelly said: "We just kept going everyday and the magic that happens, I think, when you're in pain ..." Ozzy, pointing at his youngest daughter, interrupted her to say: "She's the one! If it wasn't for her I'd be still lying up on the couch." Kelly said: "The only thing I know when it comes to my dad is what can I do to make him smile and I know that going to the studio makes him happy. So I got him up and got him to the studio, and that's all I did. Everything else was him."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store