Advertisement
We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you’ve seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
One-off amount
I already contribute
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
Investigates
Investigates
Money Diaries
Daft.ie Property Magazine
Allianz Home Magazine
The 42 Sports Magazine
TG4 Entertainment Magazine
The Journal TV
Climate Crisis
Cost of Living
Road Safety
Newsletters
Temperature Check
Inside the Newsroom
The Journal Investigates
The Explainer
A deep dive into one big news story
Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture
have your say
Or create a free account to join the discussion
Advertisement
More Stories
Ozzy Osbourne during last night’s performance.Ross Halfin/Aston Villa on X
Ozzy Osbourne graces black throne during final live performance in hometown
The gig also featured sets by US rockers Metallica, Guns N’Roses, Tool and Slayer.
10.03am, 6 Jul 2025
Share options
BIRMINGHAM SAW WILDMAN rocker Ozzy Osbourne’s final ever gig as the Black Sabbath frontman was greeted by thousands flocking to his hometown for a celebration of the heavy metal genre he helped to create.
Millions followed the gig online after fans snapped up tickets for the show, starring the original line-up, in just 16 minutes.
Osbourne (76) who revealed in 2020 that he has Parkinson’s disease, sat upon a black throne for the duration of the performance.
“It’s so good to be on this stage,” Osbourne told around 40,000 fans, “You have no idea how I feel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
The gig at Aston Villa Football Club’s Villa Park stadium also featured sets by US rockers Metallica, Guns N’Roses, Tool and Slayer among others, as well as a short solo set by Osbourne.
Advertisement
Osbourne was joined by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the all-day “Back To The Beginning” show in Birmingham, where the heavy metal giants formed in 1968.
Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, musical director for the concert, said prior to the gig that was planning “to make it the greatest day, the most important day in the history of heavy metal music”.
All profits from the show will go to charities including Cure Parkinson’s and Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
“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,” his wife Sharon said in comments released by West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), the region’s investment and promotion body.
Black Sabbath have sold over 75 million albums worldwide and are widely recognised as one of the pioneers of heavy metal.
With reporting by © AFP 2023
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone…
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Support The Journal
Eoghan Dalton
View 17 comments
Send Tip or Correction
Embed this post
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Email “Ozzy Osbourne graces black throne during final live performance in hometown”.
Recipient’s Email
Feedback on “Ozzy Osbourne graces black throne during final live performance in hometown”.
Your Feedback
Your Email (optional)
Report a Comment
Please select the reason for reporting this comment.
Please give full details of the problem with the comment…
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
before taking part.
Leave a Comment
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel.
Racism or Hate speech
An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs.
Trolling or Off-topic
An attempt to derail the discussion.
Inappropriate language
Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs.
Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts.
Please provide additional information
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
Leave a commentcancel
Newly created accounts can only comment using The Journal app.
This is to add an extra layer of security to account creation.
Download and sign into the app to continue.
Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user
View our policy
⚠️ Duplicate comment
Post Comment
have your say
Or create a free account to join the discussion
black sabbath
ozzy osbourne
prince of darkness
News in 60 seconds
The Morning Lead
‘It was apparent that we were in hot pursuit’: The inside story of the raid on the MV Matthew
Niall O’Connor
French Strikes
Ryanair wants the EU to reform air traffic services after French strikes cancel 400 flights
30 mins ago
America Party
Elon Musk says he has created a new political party for the US
7 deadly reads
Sitdown Sunday: Virginia Giuffre’s family share what happened in her final days
Good Morning
The 9 at 9: Sunday
Texas flooding
Latest toll shows 15 children among 51 dead in Texas flooding
government plans
Opinion: So now it’s cost over design for new state buildings? What could possibly go wrong?
Gardaí investigate after ‘bomb’ defused at Limerick factory
Cork v Dublin, All-Ireland SHC semi-final
Actor Julian McMahon, known for Charmed and Nip/Tuck, dies aged 56
Search for girls missing from Texas camp after flash flooding as 27 people confirmed dead
more from us
Investigates
Daft.ie Property Magazine
Allianz Home Magazine
The 42 Sports Magazine
TG4 Entertainment Magazine
Money Diaries
The Journal TV
Journal Media
Advertise With Us
About FactCheck
Our Network
FactCheck Knowledge Bank
Terms & Legal Notices
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
more from us
TV Listings
GAA Fixtures
The Video Review
Journal Media
Advertise With Us
Our Network
The Journal
FactCheck Knowledge Bank
Terms & Legal Notices
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
© 2025 Journal Media Ltd
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
Switch to Desktop
Switch to Mobile
The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie
Report an error, omission or problem:
Your Email (optional)
Create Email Alert
Create an email alert based on the current article
Email Address
One email every morning
As soon as new articles come online