Ozzy Osbourne Confirms Black Sabbath’s Farewell Show Will Be Their Last Ever Performance Together
via Carlos Cordeiro / YouTube
Final Performance Confirmed by Ozzy
Ozzy Osbourne has officially confirmed that Black Sabbath’s upcoming appearance at the Back To The Beginning farewell show will be their final time performing together.
Although the band has announced farewell shows before, Ozzy made it clear that this time is different. The group played what was thought to be their final concert on February 4, 2017, at the Birmingham NEC during The End tour. They also had earlier farewell shows in 1999 and 2005.
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A Definitive End for Sabbath
In a recent issue of Classic Rock, Ozzy explained that the upcoming concert at Villa Park in Birmingham on July 5, 2025, will not only close his own performance career but also mark the end of Black Sabbath as a live band.
“It’s very important,” Ozzy said about the show. “The original Sabbath will never be on stage together again. From the late 60s, we’re probably one of the only bands where the original members are still alive and speaking with one another.”
The concert will begin with a short set by Ozzy, followed by a set featuring the full original Black Sabbath lineup—Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. It will be the first time this full lineup performs together since before Ward stepped away in 2012 over a contract disagreement.
A Surprise Return After Health Struggles
The announcement of Back To The Beginning in early 2025 was a surprise, especially since Ozzy had previously said he was done performing live due to several health challenges and injuries. The event has a big lineup that also includes Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Slayer, Alice In Chains, and others.
Tony Iommi admitted in Classic Rock that he was hesitant about another Sabbath concert after what he believed was their final tour.
“I’d already closed the door on it,” Iommi said. “I thought that [The End tour] was it.”
Why They Agreed to Reunite
Iommi said he changed his mind after learning that the show would raise money for three charities: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice. Also, the return of Bill Ward made a big difference.
“There’d be no point [doing it without Ward],” Iommi explained. “Because it’s the original line-up, that makes it more proper. So no, I wouldn’t have done it without the original line-up.”
Ward Shares His Thoughts
Speaking to Classic Rock, drummer Bill Ward said he was excited to reunite with his longtime bandmates.
“My job is to play my ass off,” he said. “That’s what I do. No slight on other people, but I’m the drummer with Black Sabbath. Always have been, always will be.”
