Latest news with #AcornChildrensHospice
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Stony Stratford artist's 'honour' to meet Ozzy Osbourne
An artist declared that he "can die now" after he met Ozzy Osbourne at the final Black Sabbath McDonnell from Stony Stratford, Buckinghamshire, was backstage at the Birmingham show as he put the finishing touches to an oil painting dedicated to the of the stars attending the concert signed the artwork including actor Jason Momoa, Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose and Metallica. The finished artwork, which was also signed by Osbourne, was sold for £16,000 in an online auction and the money will go to Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital and Acorn Children's Hospice. About 40,000 fans gathered at Villa Park in Birmingham for what the band billed as their final Sabbath frontman Osbourne spoke to Mr McDonnell before signing the canvas."What an honour to shake hands with that guy," the artist recalled. "It was post-show so he was being wheeled out in his wheelchair and before he did he came and he signed the painting and gave me a little bit of time.""It was out of this world man. To hear compliments from these heroes - it's just like all right I can die now. I'm good." Mr McDonnell was initially approached about painting a mural backstage, but as he only had two days to turn the piece around he came up with the oil painting researching for the project he did a "big deep dive into Sabbath history".The artwork depicts the band's mascot, a devil called Henry, made of the smoke rising from chimneys and factories on the Birmingham put an initial bid of £8,000 on the piece, but the winning bid came from New limited prints of the artwork are planned to go on sale to raise more funds for the artist said: "We're just going to try and raise as much money as we can for these charities while the buzz is still in the air." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
News.com.au
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Ozzy Osbourne takes to the stage for the last time
Ozzy Osbourne and his Black Sabbath bandmates have taken to the stage for the final time. The frail 76-year-old arrived on stage at Villa Park in Birmingham, UK, dressed in his trademark black, sitting on a bat throne for the historic gig. Called Back To The Beginning, it is frontman and rock veteran Ozzy's last time performing on stage amid his worsening diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, The Sun reported. The crowd was delighted to see the iconic rocker back on stage, and kept chanting his name. Ozzy was equally thrilled to be performing, and repeatedly broke out into a massive grin. The gig was already being touted as 'the greatest heavy metal show ever' ahead of Saturday and Ozzy played a short five-song set reuniting with his bandmates Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward. It is the first time in 20 years that the original Black Sabbath line-up have performed together. Ozzy, 76, has vowed it will be his final performance due to his deteriorating health. He went public with his Parkinson's diagnosis in 2020. Back To The Beginning has also featured a mega line-up of fellow rock stars, performing their own sets and as a supergroup, and all the profits made will be going to charity. The money will be shared equally between Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital and Acorn Children's Hospice. Metallica and Slayer were on the line-up for main sets as they celebrated Ozzy's remarkable legacy. Pantera, Gojira, Alice In Chains, Halestorm, Lamb Of God, Anthrax, and Mastodon also played at the show. Ahead of the gig, Ozzy's wife Sharon told The Mirror: 'There won't be any head banging. Not any more. But his voice is still absolutely perfect. 'Even if you don't like his music, you can't not like Ozzy – he draws you in.'
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Black Sabbath at Villa Park: All you need to know
Thousands of metal fans are due to descend on Birmingham in July, as Black Sabbath hosts its Back To The Beginning at Villa Park, the gig features dozens of huge names from the industry performing throughout the the most exciting part - Black Sabbath with reunite to perform, and Ozzy Osbourne will take to the stage for the final time for his own is everything you need to know if you are attending the concert: How significant is the event? The event is hugely significant - it's Ozzy's final performance, and 20 years since the original Black Sabbath have played together. Earlier this year, Sharon Osbourne told the BBC that Birmingham was the "home of metal" - after all, it was where the band was formed in Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward all grew up within a few streets of each other, a stone's throw from the Aston band's relevance to the city's cultural heritage was recognised when they were awarded the Freedom of from the deep connection the band has to the area, the line-up for the all day event is stuffed with icons of will play his own short set before joining the band, and other guests include Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira and also for a good cause - all profits are being split equally between Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital and Acorn Children's Parkinson's is a cause close to home for Osbourne as he has largely been forced to stop touring due to the disease and spinal injuries. Is there extra transport? West Midlands Railway said it would run an additional 12 services to/from Whitton station on the day of the will be four additional services in the morning, and eight in the evening after the concert has company's normal timetable will be in place for Aston Villa will provide a regular shuttle bus service before and after the event. Before the concert, shuttle services will run from Dudley Street, departing in 10 minute will be dropped off at Aston Hall, over the road from Villa the gig, shuttles will run from Aston Hall to Dudley Street every 10 minutes, with the final bus leaving at can be purchased on its dedicated parking website, and can be bought on the day at either end of the service. How do you get there? Fan travelling by train can use either Aston or Witton stations, which are walking distance from the Midlands Railway said Witton is slightly closer to Villa Park, so is more suitable for fans with accessibility requirements, or who may struggle stations have connections to Birmingham New Street.A taxi rank will be operating at Aston Parish Church, adjacent to the services that serve Villa Park are the 7, 11A and 11C. Fans must get off at Witton well as this, services 65 and 67 operate close to the stadium where passengers get off at Aston Railway services are also available - Aston Villa recommends that fans use it to get to Grand Central, and then walk to the shuttle bus service from Dudley Street, or get a rail connection Villa's website has specific advice for those driving, including where you should exit off nearby motorways. Where can I park? Fans are not able to park at the stadium, however there are parking sites within a 45-minute walking distance of the they are filled, the next alternative is to park in the city centre, and use public transport to get to the stadium. Official car parks are not controlled by Aston Villa, but third parties. More information about reputable parking sites are on the club's website, as well as the city council website for car parks in the centre. Who is supporting and what is the set list? An official set list has not been announced for any of the musicians, so that part is still a is an all day event, so there are dozens of musicians taking to the include:Metallica SlayerPanteraGojiraHalestormTool Lamb Of GodAnthrax and MastodonBilly Corgan David Draiman Duff McKagan and SlashMore names can be found on the event webpage. Is the concert sold out? Yes, the concert is sold Black Sabbath announced that the event can be live streamed, and said it would be available to watch on-demand for 48 hours after the need to pay to view it, and only those who have paid can watch it on-demand afterwards. The steam begins at 15:00 BST on 5 July. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
