Ozzy Osbourne is set to reunite with Black Sabbath for one final performance.
The legendary band will headline The Back to the Beginning concert on July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, England—Osbourne’s hometown.
“It’s my time to go back to the beginning … time for me to give back to the place where I was born,” Osbourne said in a statement per Fox News. “How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal. Birmingham forever.”
Ozzy Osbourne will take the stage for a solo set before reuniting with Black Sabbath’s original members—Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—for their first performance together in 20 years.
Black Sabbath, formed in 1968 in Birmingham, England, and is widely credited with pioneering heavy metal music. Their dark, heavy sound and occult-inspired lyrics set them apart from other rock bands of the era.
With albums like Black Sabbath (1970), Paranoid (1970), and Master of Reality (1971), the band revolutionized rock music, creating an enduring legacy in heavy metal. Songs like “Iron Man,” “Paranoid,” and “War Pigs” became classics, influencing generations of musicians.
However, Osbourne’s struggles with substance abuse led to his departure from the band in 1979. He later launched a highly successful solo career, releasing iconic albums such as Blizzard of Ozz (1980) and Diary of a Madman (1981). Meanwhile, Black Sabbath continued with different vocalists, including Ronnie James Dio and Ian Gillan.
Over the years, Osbourne reunited with Black Sabbath multiple times, most notably for their final studio album, 13 (2013), and their farewell The End Tour (2016-2017). Despite officially retiring as a band, Black Sabbath’s influence remains unmatched in metal history.
The all-day event will showcase a lineup of major metal bands, including Metallica, Slayer, and Alice In Chains, with more acts to be announced soon.
Proceeds from the concert will benefit charities such as Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice.
Ozzy Osbourne publicly revealed his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in January 2020 during an interview on Good Morning America. He was diagnosed with Parkin 2, a milder form of Parkinson’s, in 2019 after experiencing health issues, including a severe fall that required surgery.
Despite his diagnosis, Osbourne remained determined to continue performing. However, his health struggles, including nerve damage and multiple surgeries, eventually led to the cancellation of his 2023 tour dates.
Osbourne has been open about his challenges with Parkinson’s, calling it a “rollercoaster” due to its unpredictable symptoms. He has undergone various treatments, including experimental stem cell therapy, and has credited his family, especially his wife Sharon Osbourne, for their support throughout his health journey.
