Ozzy Osbourne brings curtain down as hometown goes wild for Black Sabbath
'It's the last song ever. Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle..thank you from the bottom of our hearts,' the 76-year-old singer told the crowd after finishing the set with 'Paranoid' -- the band's most famous song. The stadium in Birmingham, central England, is a stone's throw from where the band formed 57 years ago, pioneering the hard-rock style that gave rise to heavy metal.
And the genre's big hitters were in town to pay tribute to the band that started it all. Anthrax were one of the first acts on stage, with early arrivers giving the US rockers a rapturous welcome and getting the mosh pit into full swing.
They were later followed by a rock royalty collaboration, as Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood performed Led Zeppelin's 'Whole Lotta Love'. Guns N'Roses sent the 40,000 fans wild with the first chords to 'Welcome to the Jungle', and there were other sets from Pantera, Tool, Slayer and Metallica. 'Without Sabbath there would be no Metallica. Thank you for giving us a purpose in life,' Metallica's singer James Hetfield said. But it was the prodigal son and his bandmates that the crowd were desperate to see, greeting them on stage with a sea of arms before moshing to 'War Pigs'.
'Everything was just phenomenal, you were just caught up in it. We were singing as loud as we could for Ozzy,' Dave Chapman, 57, told AFP. 'He could see the support,' added his 29-year-old daughter Lilly. 'That's what kept making me cry..., he can see that we love him.'
The Villa Park crowd plays with a huge beach ball as they watch support acts.
'Full stop'
Many thousands around the world followed the concert online after tickets for the show sold out in just 16 minutes. Osbourne, who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson's disease, joined Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the 'Back To The Beginning' show in Birmingham, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968. They have since sold over 75 million albums worldwide.
The stadium, which hosted Champions League football last season, was transformed into something resembling a pagan cathedral on Saturday, with fans decked in dark metal T-shirts, many sporting long hair, thick beards and large tattoos. 'Birmingham is a city which means so much to Ozzy. When it comes to heavy metal music, Black Sabbath forming and his love of Aston Villa -– it all started here,' said his wife, Sharon.
All profits from the show will go to charities including Cure Parkinson's and Birmingham Children's Hospital. Osbourne's diagnosis led to him pausing touring. But Sharon told the BBC the Villa Park gig would be his last. 'This is his full stop,' she was quoted as saying. Rich Newlove, 34, called it a 'bittersweet' experience 'because it's his last show'. 'It's a good send-off... he seems fitter and healthier than I thought he would be.'
Fans watch support acts, during British rock band Black Sabbath's "Back to The Beginning" concert, Ozzy Osbourne's final ever gig.
'Greatest'
The Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan was one of the early performers, saying before the gig that 'this might be the greatest one-day lineup in the history of rock 'n' roll'. The show is expected to deliver the area a multi-million-pound boost, with hotel occupancy in Birmingham city centre expected to have reached close to 90 percent.
Osbourne's live performances at the height of his hedonism have gone down in rock folklore, particularly a 1982 gig in Des Moines, Iowa, when he bit the head off a bat on stage. Osbourne says he thought a fan had thrown a fake rubber bat onstage, and it wasn't until he took a bite that he realised it was real.
'I can assure you the rabies shots I went through afterwards aren't fun,' he told US TV host David Letterman in 1982. But there was no repeat performance on Saturday. Eager to soak in the historic occasion, many came without tickets, including Derya, who travelled from Cologne with her partner. 'We are here, hearing the concert even if we cannot see the bands,' she told AFP.—AFP
The Villa Park crowd watch support acts.
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Kuwait Times
15 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Thousands to pay respects as Ozzy Osbourne laid to rest in UK hometown
Thousands are expected to line the streets of Ozzy Osbourne's UK hometown of Birmingham on Wednesday to honor the heavy metal hell-raiser as he is laid to rest. Osbourne, nicknamed the 'Prince of Darkness' and who once bit a bat while on stage while performing with his Black Sabbath band, died on July 22 at the age of 76. The heavy metal star, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, passed away just over a fortnight after playing a final gig before a sold-out crowd in Birmingham. Birmingham city council said Osbourne's funeral cortege would pass slowly through the city from 1:00 pm (1200 GMT) down Broad Street to Black Sabbath bridge, along a route planned with the rocker's family. The hearse and vehicles will be accompanied by a live brass band performance by local musicians from Bostin' Brass. Osbourne will then be laid to rest at a private funeral service. 'Ozzy was more than a music legend - he was a son of Birmingham,' Zafar Iqbal, the lord mayor of the central English city, said in a statement. 'It was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral. 'We know how much this moment will mean to his fans. We're proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began,' Iqbal added. Mourners and music fans line the streets ready to pay their respects, before the funeral cortege of Ozzy Osbourne. A fan holds a drawing of the late lead singer of Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne. A person holds a melon that they carved an image of the late lead singer of Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne. A person carves an image into a melon of the late lead singer of Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne. Mourners and music fans line the streets to pay their respects as the funeral cortege of Ozzy Osbourne, the late lead singer of Black Sabbath, makes its way through Birmingham. Mourners and music fans line the streets to pay their respects as the funeral cortege of Ozzy Osbourne, the late lead singer of Black Sabbath, makes its way through Birmingham. The family of Ozzy Osbourne, son Jack Osbourne (left), window Sharon Osbourne (center) and daughter Kelly Osbourne (right) arrive to lay flowers at the Black Sabbath Bridge bench on Broad Street during a funeral procession for Ozzy Osbourne. Ozzy Osbourne's window Sharon Osbourne (center) reacts at the Black Sabbath Bridge bench on Broad Street during a funeral procession for Ozzy Osbourne. Thousands of fans have left heartfelt messages and floral tributes at the bridge in recent days, mourning the death of the musician who was instrumental in pioneering heavy metal, an offshoot of hard rock. Black Sabbath enjoyed huge commercial success in the 1970s and 80s after forming in Birmingham in 1968. Their eponymous 1970 debut album made the UK top 10 and paved the way for a string of hit records, including their most famous song 'Paranoid'. The group went on to sell more than 75 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Osbourne was added for a second time last year as a solo artist. Osbourne gained notoriety for his outlandish stunts, many of them fueled by his lavish use of drugs and alcohol. In 1989, he was arrested for drunkenly trying to strangle his wife Sharon, which he once mentioned in a 2007 interview. His live performances at the height of his hedonism have gone down in rock folklore, particularly the 1982 gig in the US city of Des Moines when he bit a bat on stage. Osbourne said he thought a fan had thrown a fake rubber bat onstage, and it was not until he took a bite that he realized it was real.--AFP
Kuwait Times
26-07-2025
- Kuwait Times
Tributes flood in for Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne
Tributes poured in Wednesday for hell-raiser singer Ozzy Osbourne as Black Sabbath bandmates mourned the death of their legendary frontman and tearful fans laid flowers in his hometown Birmingham, just weeks after he played an epic reunion concert there. Osbourne, nicknamed the 'Prince of Darkness' who famously once bit off the head of a bat while on stage, died on Tuesday at the age of 76, his family said. The heavy metal star, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, passed away just over a fortnight after playing the final gig before a sold-out crowd in his home city of Birmingham, England. Fans there laid floral tributes in memory of the singer at a mural honoring the band. 'There are no words, truly. Thank you for everything, for all the music,' read one. 'Even recently at your last gig you brought us so much happiness, it's unreal,' added another. Bandmates' tributes Original bandmates led the tributes on social media, with guitarist Tony Iommi saying, 'there won't be another like him'. Bassist Geezer Butler added: 'So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.' And drummer Bill Ward said Osbourne would forever be in his heart, signing off his post with 'Never goodbye. Thank you forever.' Band co-founder Iommi said Osbourne's death so soon after the well-received musical reunion - their first in 20 years - had been a 'terrible shock'. The concert had been 'brilliant for Ozzy because he really wanted to do that, you know, he felt at home there (in Birmingham) and it was really good for him', he told BBC radio. 'It was good for all of us... we didn't realize it was going to be this final,' he added. British singer Ozzy Osbourne (left) and wife British television personality Sharon Osbourne present the award for Best Rap/Sung Performance during the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020.--AFP photos British singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne (left) and his daughter Kelly Osbourne arrive for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. British singer Ozzy Osbourne poses for pictures backstage after he was awarded the title of 'Global Icon' during the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) in Glasgow, Scotland, on November 9, 2014. British rocker Ozzy Osbourne (center) poses with friends and musicians Marilyn Manson (left) and Robbie Williams (right) during a ceremony unveiling his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame 12 April, 2002 in Hollywood, CA. Inductees Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath gesture after being inducted during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in New York 13 March 2006. Kelly (left), Ozzy (center) and Sharon Osbourne arrive for the Recording Academy and Clive Davis pre-Grammy gala at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California on January 25, 2020. Flowers are left at Ozzy Osbourne's Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on July 22, 2025, in Los Angeles. A person sells t-shirts next to the Hollywood Walk of Fame star of late British singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne on July 22, 2025, in Los Angeles. Flowers, candles and photos are left at a makeshift memorial on Black Sabbath Bridge, in memory of late British singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne, in Birmingham, central England on July 23, 2025. A photograph taken on July 23, 2025 shows flowers, candles and drawings left at a makeshift memorial on Black Sabbath Bridge, in tribute of late British singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne, in Birmingham, central England, a day after his death. Fans gather in front of a makeshift memorial on Black Sabbath Bridge, in tribute of late British singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne, in Birmingham, central England, on July 23, 2025, a day after his death. 'So much more than metal' US rocker Alice Cooper hailed Osbourne on Instagram as 'an unmatched showman and cultural icon'. Music icon Elton John praised him as 'a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods - a true legend'. 'He was also one of the funniest people I've ever met. I will miss him dearly,' John wrote on Instagram. Osbourne was instrumental in pioneering heavy metal - an offshoot of hard rock - as Black Sabbath enjoyed huge commercial success in the 1970s and 80s after forming in Birmingham in 1968. Black Sabbath's eponymous 1970 debut album made the UK top 10 and paved the way for a string of hit records, including their most famous song 'Paranoid'. Black Sabbath went on to sell more than 75 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Osbourne was added for a second time last year as a solo artist. Rabies shots He gained huge notoriety along the way for his outlandish stunts, many of them fueled by his hard-living style, which included the lavish use of drugs and alcohol. His live performances at the height of his hedonism have gone down in rock folklore, particularly a 1982 gig in Des Moines, Iowa, when he bit the head off a bat on stage. Osbourne said he thought a fan had thrown a fake rubber bat onstage, and it was not until he took a bite that he realized it was real. 'I can assure you the rabies shots I went through afterwards aren't fun,' he told US TV host David Letterman in 1982. His public persona took a new turn with the reality television series 'The Osbournes' in the 2000s, which followed the ups and downs of his family life alongside wife Sharon, whom he married in 1982, and their three children. Osbourne, who had been battling ill health for over 20 years, went public with his Parkinson's diagnosis in 2020. He reportedly died at his mansion in Buckinghamshire, northwest of London. Caroline Rassell, chief executive of the charity Parkinson's UK, said by 'speaking openly' about his diagnosis he and his family had helped many in the same situation. 'They normalized tough conversations and made others feel less alone with a condition that's on the rise,' she said. Osbourne brought the curtain down on a wild career on July 5, when Black Sabbath rattled through their most iconic songs in front of 40,000 adoring fans at Villa Park, home of Premier League football club Aston Villa. Stylish to the very end, he held court from a giant leather throne, topped with a bat. — AFP
Arab Times
24-07-2025
- Arab Times
Ozzy Osbourne's final video captures emotional farewell to fans
LONDON, July 24: Just weeks before his passing, heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne delivered a poignant final message to his loyal fans during his farewell concert at Villa Park Stadium in Birmingham. The iconic singer's last onstage words resonated deeply: 'It's the last song ever. Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.' The powerful moment was followed by a message displayed on screen: 'Thank you for everything, you guys are f***ing amazing. Birmingham Forever,' accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the night sky. Seated on a black throne adorned with a bat—a symbol synonymous with his career—Ozzy performed his greatest hits one last time, delivering a heartfelt goodbye to over 42,000 fans packed into the stadium for the historic event titled Back to the Beginning. The concert marked his final live performance and a reunion with his original Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. In interviews ahead of the show, Ozzy expressed his desire to continue recording music despite retiring from live performances. Speaking to Metal Hammer magazine, he shared, 'I still enjoy doing my own work, I also enjoy singing on other people's work. For the foreseeable future, I will keep on recording if the projects interest me, it's very important.' His last solo album, Patient Number 9 (2022), featured collaborations with celebrated artists including Tony Iommi, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Pearl Jam's Mike McCready. Ozzy's final performance was a deeply emotional moment not just for the rock star himself but also for the thousands of fans who celebrated his decades-long contribution to heavy metal. The event symbolized a closing chapter on a legendary career that helped define an entire genre. Following the concert, a message of gratitude and farewell was etched into the hearts of fans worldwide, immortalizing Ozzy's spirit and his enduring connection to Birmingham—the city where it all began.
