Ozzy Osbourne’s final show at Villa Park was a full-circle homecoming that fused nostalgia, controversy, and reverence into one historic night. Titled Back to the Beginning, the event served as a thunderous send-off for the Prince of Darkness, who returned to his Birmingham roots with the original Black Sabbath lineup and an all-star cast of metal’s finest.
But this wasn’t your typical legacy show. It came with fire. Boos. Secrets. And one final, glorious scream into the night.
With over ten hours of performances, a livestream audience in the millions, and every note echoing like a farewell letter to rock itself, Ozzy’s last performance was less about aging out.. and more about closing the gates of hell with grace.
From the controversial crowd reaction to David Draiman, to a mystery band demanding profits and ultimately being pulled from the bill, Back to the Beginning packed more plot twists than a Netflix docuseries.
But at its core, this was a celebration of a madman whose career redefined metal, gave birth to guitar gods, and taught us all to embrace the chaos.
Hosts & Tribal Leadership
- Jason Momoa kicked things off as the charismatic host, guiding fans through a decade-spanning tribute.
- Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine) served as musical director, orchestrating smooth transitions and supergroup collaborations.
Heavyweight Guests & Tributes
A thunderous procession of metal legends spun Sabbath and Ozzy classics into living tributes:
- Mastodon – opened with “Black Tongue,” “Blood and Thunder,” and a rave-up Black Sabbath cover, “Supernaut.”
- Rival Sons – followed with “Do Your Worst,” “Electric Funeral,” and “Secret.”
- Anthrax, Halestorm, Lamb of God – each band brought their own fiery rendition of Sabbath hits mixed with originals.
- Supergroup A (Tom Morello’s All-Stars) – featuring Lzzy Hale, Jake E. Lee, Nuno Bettencourt, David Ellefson, Mike Bordin, Adam Wakeman, and David Draiman. They delivered a medley including “Ultimate Sin,” “Shot in the Dark,” and “Changes” with Yungblud.
- Jack Black (via prerecorded video) honored Ozzy with “Mr. Crowley.”
- Alice in Chains, Gojira – powerful, somber takes on mixes of their own tunes and Sabbath staples.
- Drum-off – a jaw-dropping duel featuring Travis Barker, Danny Carey, and Chad Smith on “Symptom of the Universe.”
- Supergroup B – Morello, Billy Corgan, K.K. Downing, Adam Jones, Sammy Hagar, Vernon Reid, Rudy Sarzo, Chad Smith, and Adam Wakeman; they unleashed classics like “Breaking the Law,” “Flying High Again,” “Rock Candy,” and more.
- Pantera, Tool, Slayer – delivered their own heavy-hitting sets of Sabbath covers and metal bangers.
- Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit) – contributed a prerecorded “Changes.”
- Guns N’ Roses – tore through “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” plus their own hits, like “Welcome to the Jungle.”
- Metallica closed the guest sets with “Hole in the Sky,” “Creeping Death,” “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” and “Master of Puppets,” among others.
Ozzy’s Solo Throne Set
Ozzy, seated on his iconic bat-shaped throne, performed five of his greatest solo hits:
- “I Don’t Know”
- “Mr. Crowley”
- “Suicide Solution”
- “Mama I’m Coming Home”
- “Crazy Train”
The Original Four—Black Sabbath’s Final Farewell
Ozzy reunited with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—marking their first full original lineup concert since 2005. Their four-song send-off included:
- “War Pigs”
- “N.I.B.”
- “Iron Man”
- “Paranoid”
Video & Voice Tributes
Between live sets, heartfelt video messages played from legends like AC/DC, Def Leppard, Billy Idol, Korn’s Jonathan Davis, Dolly Parton, Elton John, Cyndi Lauper, and Marilyn Manson.
David Draiman’s Controversial Entrance: Booed at the Gates of Metal’s Mecca
For all the thunderous applause and devil-horned cheers echoing across Villa Park, not every entrance was welcomed with open arms. When Disturbed frontman David Draiman stepped onto the stage, flanked by an elite lineup of players (including Jake E. Lee, Nuno Bettencourt, and Adam Wakeman). The crowd’s roar turned unexpectedly sour.
Booing. Loud. Sustained. Icy.
In a night designed to honor one of metal’s most iconic voices, the moment stood out like a missed note in a power ballad. What should have been a celebratory arrival quickly unraveled into a tense standoff between performer and audience. Draiman—never one to back down—gripped the mic and charged forward with professional resolve, but the tension was impossible to ignore.
So, what happened?
There’s no single answer. Some fans on Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) pointed to Draiman’s outspoken views on Israel-Palestine in recent months as the likely spark. Others speculated it was resentment over his placement in the setlist..
Some even joked that he got caught in the crossfire of bad timing: “They were saying ‘Boo-urns,’ I swear,” one fan posted, half-mocking the outrage.
But under the surface, the moment revealed something deeper: a clash between old-school metal reverence and modern polarizing personas. Draiman has never been shy about politics or faith.
Still, credit where it’s due—Draiman powered through a medley including “Sweet Leaf” and “Shot in the Dark,” his vocals sharp, his presence defiant. He wasn’t there to be liked. He was there to honor Ozzy.
And by the time the final note rang out, even some of his harshest critics had to admit: hate him or not, the guy delivered.
The Mystery Band: Pulled From the Bill Over a Profit Dispute
In a night built on loyalty, love, and legacy… someone crossed the line.
While most artists who performed at Back to the Beginning did so out of respect—accepting travel expenses but waiving all appearance fees—one major band bucked the system. And according to Sharon Osbourne herself, that move got them pulled.
“They wanted a piece of the profits,” she said bluntly during a backstage interview. “That’s not what this night was about. Everyone was here for Ozzy… not for a paycheck.”
So… who was it?
The band’s identity remains officially unnamed, but that hasn’t stopped the rock rumor mill from spinning into overdrive. Fan theories have flooded forums and social media, each pointing fingers based on absences, past beefs, or egos big enough to demand a cut of the gate.
Some of the most common guesses?
- Iron Maiden – The most speculated name. Big enough to draw equal attention to themselves, but notably absent from the night. However, their camp later clarified that it was a scheduling conflict due to European tour dates. Still… fans aren’t totally buying it.
- Judas Priest – Also noticeably missing despite their Birmingham roots and long-running ties to Ozzy. Halford and Ozzy have shared stages before, but whispers of internal tension and management disputes continue to follow the band.
- Slipknot – A younger, commercially massive group that might have been approached for crossover appeal. But their management structure and branding deals have a reputation for being tightly controlled, possibly clashing with Sharon’s vision of a “profit-free” tribute.
Whatever the truth is, the band’s identity was kept out of the spotlight deliberately—possibly to avoid overshadowing the night with unnecessary drama. But one thing’s clear: this wasn’t the place for ego. It was Ozzy’s moment, and the Osbournes weren’t about to let a band hijack it for a payday.
In a world where rock ‘n’ roll has often flirted with excess and entitlement, the line was drawn. If you weren’t in it for the legacy, you weren’t getting on that stage.
Ozzy’s Solo Farewell & Black Sabbath’s Final Stand
After nearly 10 hours of rotating lineups, blistering tributes, and emotional guest appearances, the stadium lights dimmed once more—and all eyes turned to the bat throne.
Ozzy Osbourne, visibly frail yet unshakably iconic, was wheeled onto center stage beneath a single spotlight. His figure—seated, surrounded by fog, cloaked in a long black coat—was a haunting contrast to the wild-eyed madman who once bit the head off a dove in a record executive’s office. But when he gripped the mic and let out that first growl of “I Don’t Know”, every doubt was gone.
The Prince was still in there.
Ozzy’s Final Solo Set
Ozzy’s solo portion was short but surgical—five handpicked songs, each chosen to mark a pivotal moment in his post-Sabbath journey. Backed by a powerhouse band that included:
- Zakk Wylde – Ozzy’s longest-running guitarist & No More Tears Co-writer.
- Tommy Clufetos – former live drummer for Ozzy.
- Adam Wakeman – a trusted veteran who’s carried Ozzy’s keyboard duties for years
- Blasko on bass – long-time live bassist for Ozzy’s solo tours
He tore through:
- “I Don’t Know” – the curtain-raiser that reintroduced Ozzy to the world post-Sabbath
- “Mr. Crowley” – a haunting, gothic masterpiece showcasing the ghost of Randy Rhoads
- “Suicide Solution” – raw, riff-heavy, and still controversial
- “Mama, I’m Coming Home” – performed with a tear in his eye, and maybe a few in the crowd
- “Crazy Train” – the anthem of an era, exploding through the PA like a cannon blast from 1980
Though his body was subdued, Ozzy’s voice was as unmistakable as ever—wobbly in places, yes, but full of soul. He didn’t need to run or scream. The weight of his presence alone did the heavy lifting.
And Then Came Sabbath..
Just when the emotions had peaked… the arena went dark.
From the black, the silhouette of four figures emerged—Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and Ozzy Osbourne—standing side by side for the first time in nearly two decades.
The original Black Sabbath lineup.
No subs. No stand-ins. Just the four alchemists who had birthed heavy metal in a Birmingham garage over 50 years ago.
They launched into:
- “War Pigs” – haunting, political, more relevant than ever
- “N.I.B.” – Geezer’s sludgy bass tone hitting like a lead pipe
- “Iron Man” – performed at half-step slower, making every note feel seismic
- “Paranoid” – the final sendoff, chaotic and cathartic, the song that started it all
There were no pyro explosions. No stage-diving. Just four men, now in their 70s, standing tall under the same lights they once owned in their 20s—wielding the sound they created like it was forged in blood and smoke.
Ozzy wasn’t Ozzy anymore. He was John Michael Osbourne. Birmingham kid turned rock god, closing the book on one of the wildest stories in music history in front of the people who saw it begin.
The Madman, The Maestro, The Magnet for Guitar Greatness
It wasn’t about pyrotechnics, backstage drama, or even record-breaking viewership (though it had all three). It was about a man who, for over five decades, gave rock and metal a face, a voice, and a soul that refused to die.
And if there’s one piece of Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy that deserves its own pedestal, it’s this: Ozzy had an unmatched eye for guitar greatness.
He didn’t just sing the songs. He built the stage for legends.
It started with Randy Rhoads, the classically trained prodigy who redefined metal guitar with “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley” before his life was tragically cut short. Then came Jake E. Lee, who kept the fire alive through the mid-’80s with his fierce fretwork on Bark at the Moon & The Ultimate Sin.
Even for the briefest of moments, Ozzy pulled (Pre-Dokken fame) George Lynch! Bringing the world-class shredder into his orbit during a turbulent post-Rhoads period. That blink of an era may have been short, but it spoke volumes about Ozzy’s gut instinct for tone and talent.
Then, of course, there’s Zakk Wylde—arguably the most enduring and beloved of Ozzy’s axe-wielders. With his berserker stage presence and signature pinch harmonics, Zakk became more than a guitarist—he became an extension of Ozzy’s madness. A sonic soulmate. And their brotherhood has stood the test of time, including at this final show.
Later years brought in heavy hitters like Joe Holmes, & Gus G each adding their flavor to the Prince’s ever-evolving throne of chaos.
But through all the lineup changes, all the drama, all the battles with addiction, illness, and time—Ozzy never lost his ability to see greatness before the world did. His bands weren’t just vehicles for his voice—they were breeding grounds for legends.
And now, as the curtain closes, the lights fade, and the throne is wheeled offstage for the last time, one truth remains unshakable:
Ozzy Osbourne didn’t just survive rock and roll…
He defined it.
He destroyed it.
And then he rebuilt it in his own twisted image.
Long live the Prince of Darkness.
Sources Cited
- Entertainment Weekly. (July 6, 2025). Ozzy Osbourne says farewell, plays final concert with Black Sabbath to hometown crowd of 40,000. Retrieved from: https://ew.com/ozzy-osbourne-reunites-with-black-sabbath-for-final-concert-11767172
- The Guardian. (July 6, 2025). Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne’s final gig – as it happened. Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/music/live/2025/jul/05/black-sabbath-ozzy-osbourne-final-gig-back-to-the-beginning-villa-park-live
- Loudwire. (July 6, 2025). All Ozzy Osbourne + Black Sabbath ‘Back to the Beginning’ Concert Setlists. Retrieved from: https://loudwire.com/all-ozzy-osbourne-black-sabbath-back-to-the-beginning-concert-setlists
- New York Post. (July 6, 2025). Ozzy Osbourne joined by Metallica, Steven Tyler and more rock legends at emotional Black Sabbath farewell show. Retrieved from: https://nypost.com/2025/07/06/entertainment/ozzy-osbourne-joined-by-metallica-steven-tyler-at-final-black-sabbath-show
- People Magazine. (July 6, 2025). Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Show with Black Sabbath: Sharon Osbourne Says ‘One Band’ Was Uninvited Over Money Dispute. Retrieved from: https://people.com/sharon-osbourne-disinvited-band-from-performing-ozzy-osbournes-final-black-sabbath-concert-11767162
- Wikipedia. (2025). Back to the Beginning (Concert). Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_to_the_Beginning
- Reddit. (2025). Discussion thread on David Draiman being booed at Ozzy Osbourne’s final concert. Retrieved from: https://www.reddit.com/r/Music/comments/1lsdxgl/disturbeds_david_draiman_met_with_boos_at_final
- Ultimate Classic Rock. (July 6, 2025). Ozzy Osbourne Performs Final Show at Villa Park: Full Setlist and Highlights. Retrieved from: https://ultimateclassicrock.com/ozzy-osbourne-last-show-video
- Los40.com. (July 6, 2025). Estos han sido los mejores momentos de la despedida de Ozzy Osbourne y Black Sabbath. Retrieved from: https://los40.com/2025/07/07/estos-han-sido-los-mejores-momentos-de-la-despedida-de-ozzy-osbourne-y-black-sabbath
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