Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath are preparing for their final performance together, and fans can catch the event via livestream. This historic concert, titled “Back to the Beginning,” is scheduled for Saturday, July 10, at Villa Park, the home of Aston Villa Football Club, located in Birmingham, England.
Osbourne will not only perform solo but will also reunite with original Black Sabbath members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, marking their first collaboration since 2005. During Black Sabbath’s last tour, which concluded in February 2017 in Birmingham, drummer Tommy Clufetos filled in for Ward.
The concert promises a stellar lineup, headlined by Black Sabbath and Osbourne, alongside esteemed acts such as Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, and numerous other renowned bands. Fans can also expect surprise collaborations with artists like Sammy Hagar and Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, who is serving as the event’s music director.
In a press release on February 5, Morello declared, “This will be the greatest heavy metal show ever.”
Sharon Osbourne revealed in February that her husband wanted to hold one last concert to bid farewell to fans and friends. After she suggested the idea of performing at Villa Park, Ozzy reached out to Geezer, Tony, and Bill to join him, expressing his gratitude for their participation.
Ozzy, who may perform seated on a throne due to health issues, follows in the footsteps of Axl Rose, who used a throne during concerts after an injury in 2016. This could provide a fitting visual for the occasion, especially after the challenges Osbourne has faced, including a fall and a Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2019. He had to cancel his U.K. and European tour dates in 2023 due to physical difficulties, stating, “Unfortunately, my body is telling me that I’m just not ready yet.” As of May 2024, he is undergoing stem cell treatments after a tumor was found on his vertebrae.
For those interested in watching, a livestream of the event has been confirmed, with a slight delay. The stream will begin at 10 a.m. ET (7 a.m. PT) and tickets can be purchased through backtothebeginning.com. Here are the options:
– Livestream ticket: $29.99, which includes live viewing and access to the video for 48 hours.
– Livestream and T-shirt bundle: $64.98, featuring live viewing along with an exclusive “Back to the Beginning” T-shirt.
Proceeds from the concert will benefit Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice, with an online auction supporting these charities. Auction items include signed Gibson guitars from performers, a Guns N’ Roses pinball machine, and rare gold record displays featuring titles from Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Metallica, among other exclusive travel packages.
The concert’s lineup includes a diverse array of performers such as Tool, Pantera, Alice In Chains, Anthrax, and several others, with additional appearances expected from notable artists like Billy Corgan, Fred Durst, and Zakk Wylde, although lineup changes are possible.
