Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne has died at the age of 76, just over two weeks after reuniting with his original bandmates for what proved to be his final performance. The heavy metal legend, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, passed away following an emotional farewell concert on July 5.
The iconic singer had reunited with fellow original Black Sabbath members Tony Iommi, Terence "Geezer" Butler and Bill Ward on stage at Villa Park for the Back to the Beginning concert. The venue was barely two miles from the Crown pub where the band played their first gig together more than 50 years ago in 1968.
Dramatic final entrance
Osbourne made a spectacular entrance for his solo set, rising through a trap door on a large black throne whilst wearing his signature black attire and thick eye make-up. He opened the performance by telling the crowd: "Let me hear you. Are you ready? Let the madness begin!"
During the emotional show, he told fans: "It's so good to be on this f****** stage. You have no idea. I f****** love you all. Let me see your hands in the air. You are the best, each and every one of you. God bless you all."
Heartfelt farewell message
In a particularly moving moment, he added: "I don't know what to say, man, I've been laid up for, like, six years. You have no idea how I feel - thank you from the bottom of my heart. You're all f****** special. Let's go crazy, come on."
The rocker performed five songs in his solo set, with fans waving phone torches during Mama, I'm Coming Home. He finished with Crazy Train before confetti rained over the packed stadium.
Black Sabbath reunion
After a short break, Osbourne rejoined Black Sabbath for their first performance together in 20 years. The band played their greatest hits, ending with a rendition of Paranoid as fans chanted "Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy" and the frontman blew kisses to the crowd.
Sir Elton John paid tribute in a video message before the performance, telling Osbourne: "You are one of the most remarkable singers of our time. You are the king, you are the legend. You've been through so much crap in the last few years - I hope this is the best day of your life so far."
Family celebration backstage
Personal videos from dozens of fans were also broadcast, crediting Osbourne and Black Sabbath for inventing heavy metal and thanking them for their generational influence on music. After the concert, Osbourne and his wife Sharon celebrated the engagement of their daughter Kelly to Sid Wilson, a member of Slipknot.
Kelly Osbourne, 40, shared Instagram videos of the backstage proposal, with her father jokingly telling Wilson: "F*** off, you are not marrying my daughter!" The room burst into laughter before Wilson dropped to one knee and asked her to marry him.
Daughter's tribute
In a subsequent Instagram post, Kelly thanked fans for attending her father's final performance. She wrote: "To say that yesterday was magic was an understatement! Thank you to everyone who came to support my dad. Thank you to the fans who without we are nothing!"
She added: "My dad got his moment in the sun! He was able to say thank you and good bye in the most beautiful way!" Osbourne's death marks the end of an era for heavy metal music, with the Birmingham-born singer having influenced generations of musicians throughout his career.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
