Ozzy’s out.
The British rock star, 76, announced on Wednesday that the original members of Black Sabbath are reuniting for the first time in 20 years for his final show.
The “Back to the Beginning” charity concert will take place July 5 at Villa Park in England. Tickets go on sale on Feb. 14 at LiveNation.
“The all-star event will celebrate the true creators of heavy metal and will see @OzzyOsbourne play his own short set before joining with Black Sabbath for his final bow,” read the announcement, shared on Osbourne’s X account.
Osbourne himself said, “It’s my time to go Back to the Beginning….time for me to give back to the place where I was born. How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal. Birmingham Forever.”
In addition to the Black Sabbath members (Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward), the performing lineup also includes Metallica, Slayer, Lamb of God, Alice in Chains and Anthrax.
The concert’s music director, Rage Against the Machine alum Tom Morello, was quoted saying, “This will be the greatest heavy metal show ever.”
Sharon Osbourne told BBC News that her husband is determined to put on one final show amid his health woes.
“He’s doing great. He’s doing really great,” said Sharon, 72. “He’s so excited about this, about being with the guys again and all his friends. It’s exciting for everyone.”
She added, “Ozzy didn’t have a chance to say goodbye to his friends, to his fans, and he feels there’s been no full stop. This is his full stop.”
Osbourne helped form Black Sabbath in Birmingham in 1968, and the group became one of the most successful metal bands of all time.
The group last performed together at the 2005 Ozzfest Tour, after which Ward, 76, left the group. Black Sabbath’s 19th and final studio album was released in 2013.
Osbourne quit touring in early 2023 because of his many health issues. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2003, underwent multiple surgeries after falling in 2019, and had spinal surgery in September 2023.
In November 2023, he said he has “at best 10 years left” to live.
Osbourne also said at the time that a recent back surgery left him “practically crippled,” and a “second surgery went drastically wrong.”