For one final, thunderous time, Black Sabbath rose from the depths of metal history. On Saturday, June 29, in front of a sold-out crowd of 42,000 at Villa Park, the legendary band’s original lineup — Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward — reunited for the first time in 20 years. The occasion? Ozzy’s last-ever live performance.
The concert capped off a 10-hour mega-show that featured a parade of hard rock and metal royalty — including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Tool, Pantera, Gojira, Alice in Chains, and two all-star supergroups stacked with the genre’s most iconic names.
“It’s so good to be on this f—ing stage, you have no idea,” Ozzy declared as he ascended from beneath the stage on his winged throne. “Let the madness begin!”
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Ozzy’s Final Bow — and Sabbath’s Last Stand
Osbourne’s solo set came first, backed by longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde. He delivered five classics:
“I Don’t Know”
“Mr. Crowley”
“Suicide Solution”
“Mama I’m Coming Home”
“Crazy Train”
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Ozzy told fans, noting that he’d been “laid up for six years.” The 76-year-old icon has battled Parkinson’s disease and endured multiple spinal surgeries in recent years.
Then came the emotional climax. Black Sabbath reunited for four essential tracks:
“War Pigs”
“N.I.B.”
“Iron Man”
“Paranoid”
Fireworks exploded overhead as a cake was wheeled out for Ozzy, who is now officially retired from touring. The moment was both triumphant and bittersweet — the end of an era for one of music’s most influential bands.
A Star-Studded Celebration of Sabbath’s Legacy
Throughout the day, over a dozen legendary acts hit the stage — many covering Sabbath and Ozzy songs in tribute. Hosted by Jason Momoa (who also leapt into the moshpit), the show played like a live documentary of metal history. Tom Morello curated the lineup, and proceeds went to Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice.
Highlights included:
Guns N’ Roses playing four Sabbath covers, more than any other act.
Tool and Slayer delivering blistering Sabbath renditions.
Two massive supergroups featuring Steven Tyler, Billy Corgan, Sammy Hagar, Ronnie Wood, Travis Barker, Chad Smith, and many more.
Jack Black, Roman Morello, and Revel Ian (Scott Ian’s son) joining remotely for a pre-taped “Mr. Crowley.”
Pantera’s Phil Anselmo, saying: “I know I wouldn’t be up here with a microphone in my hand without Black Sabbath … who’s greater?”
But not every moment landed cleanly. During one supergroup set, Disturbed’s David Draiman was met with both cheers and loud boos — possibly in reaction to his controversial political posts. Draiman powered through covers of “Sweet Leaf” and “Shot in the Dark,” later addressing the crowd: “We gonna start this?”
Complete Setlists From Every Artist
Here’s the full rundown of every band and their songs, including Sabbath tributes:
“I’d love to say ‘never say never,’ but after the last six years or so… it is time. I don’t want to die in a hotel room. I want to spend the rest of my life with my family.”
This moment marked the definitive end of a journey that began with Sabbath’s 1970 debut — a moment that, to many fans, signaled the birth of heavy metal itself. Over the decades, the band not only redefined hard rock but also inspired generations of musicians across genres.
Now, with fireworks lighting the sky and a final, thunderous bow, Black Sabbath has officially exited the stage — forever.
Although their catalog and cultural impact will continue to resonate for decades to come, their live chapter has reached its emotional conclusion. More importantly, Ozzy’s heartfelt farewell delivered closure not just to his own storied career, but to fans worldwide who’ve followed him for over five decades.
Ultimately, it wasn’t just a concert — it was a global celebration, a curtain call for legends, and a historic finale for the genre they helped define.
