By chrisdally 
Few names loom as large in rock and heavy metal history as Ozzy Osbourne’s. Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham on December 3, 1948, he rose from humble beginnings to become the iconic “Prince of Darkness.” His career—from pioneeriprofoundly affectedcessful solo trajectory and reality TV fame—spanned over five decades and left an indelible mark on music and pop culture.
After leaving Black Sabbath in 1979 due to substance issues, Ozzy launched a powerful solo career in the 1980s, boosting his legacy with albums like Blizzard of Ozz (1980) and Diary of a Madman (1981). His wild stage presence and fearless persona defined him as a true rock legend.
In 2020, Ozzy publicly revealed his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. As his health declined, he canceled European tour dates in early 2025 due to physical limitations, though his voice remained strong.
The Final Stand: “Back to the Beginning”
On July 5, 2025, Ozzy Osbourne delivered his final live performance at Villa Park in Birmingham—the very city where his musical journey began. The event, titled Back to the Beginning, reunited the original Black Sabbath lineup (Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward) for the first time in two decades.
Curated by Tom Morello, the day-long benefit concert featured a star-studded lineup—including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Pantera, Tool, Alice in Chains, Mastodon, Anthrax, and others—alongside surprise appearances from figures like Steven Tyler and Slash.
Ozzy, unable to stand due to Parkinson’s, performed seated on a bat-shaped throne. He delivered both solo hits (“Crazy Train,” “Mama, I’m Coming Home”) and Sabbath classics (“Paranoid,” “War Pigs,” “Iron Man”) to a sold-out crowd of around 42,000–45,000 and a global livestream audience reaching 5.8 million.
The concert raised an extraordinary sum—estimates range from $180 million to over $200 million—for Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice.
Economically, the event injected approximately £33.8 million into the UK economy (£27.6 million retained in the West Midlands), with direct spending near £21 million and additional indirect benefits across the region.
A Subtle Goodbye
Just one day before his passing, Ozzy shared a poignant final Instagram post: a backstage sign reading “Back to the Beginning – The Final Show” with the names of the original band members, accompanied by his song “Mr. Crowley,” and no caption—a quiet farewell that resonated deeply with fans.
Ozzy’s Final Moments
On the morning of July 22, 2025, Ozzy Osbourne passed away at age 76 at his Buckinghamshire home, surrounded by family. His death certificate cited acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) and cardiac arrest, with coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease with autonomic dysfunction as contributing factors.
Legacy and Remembrance
In his memoir Last Rites, released posthumously in October 2025, Ozzy reflected on his final concert: “It didn’t feel like a funeral. It felt like a celebration”. The memoir reveals his profound gratitude and relief at being able to return home and deliver a final performance despite severe health challenges.
His funeral procession on July 30 began at Villa Park and moved through significant Birmingham landmarks—from his childhood home to the Black Sabbath Bridge and The Crown pub—symbolizing the full-circle journey of his life.
Looking ahead, a feature-length concert film, Back to the Beginning: Ozzy’s Final Bow, will be released theatrically in early 2026, with a documentary (Ozzy Osbourne: No Escape From Now) already available on Paramount+ since October 2025.
Ozzy Osbourne’s final act was both a farewell and a celebration—an emotionally charged culmination of a legendary career that began in Birmingham and inspired millions worldwide. His final concert not only closed the chapter on his life in a powerful, meaningful way but also left a lasting legacy—charitable, cultural, and deeply personal.
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