Want to know what’s happening with Ozzy Osbourne in 2025? On July 5, the 76-year-old heavy metal icon played his last-ever live show at the Back to the Beginning concert in Birmingham, England, reuniting with Black Sabbath for a historic farewell.
Here’s the full story on his epic performance, health struggles, and what’s next for the Prince of Darkness.
Ozzys Emotional Farewell at Villa Park
On July 5, 2025, Ozzy Osbourne took the stage at Villa Park stadium in his hometown of Birmingham, thrilling 40,000 fans in what he called his final live performance. The day-long Back to the Beginning festival was a tribute to his legacy, featuring heavyweights like Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, and a supergroup with Steven Tyler and Sammy Hagar.
Ozzy, seated on a bat-adorned black throne due to health issues, delivered a five-song solo set from his 1980 debut Blizzard of Ozz, including “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley.” Then, for the first time since 2005, he reunited with Black Sabbath’s original lineup—Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—for a four-song finale of “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” “Paranoid,” and “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.” I’ve watched grainy YouTube clips of Ozzy from the ‘80s, and seeing him command a crowd like that at 76, even from a chair, gave me chills. Fans cried, some after waiting 12 hours in the front row, with one selling a car for a $546 ticket.
Why This Was His Last Show
Ozzy’s been battling health issues for years, making this concert a miracle. A 2003 quad bike crash nearly killed him, dislodging spinal rods in a later fall. He revealed a Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2020 and paused touring in 2023 after neck surgery, saying he “can’t do it anymore.”
Despite this, his wife Sharon Osbourne told The Sun in February 2025 that Parkinson’s hasn’t touched his vocals, and fans agreed, with one posting online, “Ozzy sounds better than I expected.” The Birmingham show, backed by profits going to charity, was his way to say goodbye where it all started—Birmingham, the birthplace of heavy metal. I’ve seen friends push through pain to do what they love, and Ozzy’s grit to perform despite emphysema and mobility issues is next-level.
The Legacy of the Prince of Darkness
Ozzy formed Black Sabbath in 1968 (originally called Earth), creating heavy metal with their dark, thunderous sound. Albums like Paranoid (1970) inspired bands like Metallica, whose drummer Lars Ulrich said, “Sabbath was the root” of metal. Kicked out in 1979 for drug issues, Ozzy launched a solo career with Blizzard of Ozz, selling millions with hits like “Mama, I’m Coming Home.”
His fame exploded in the 2000s with The Osbournes on MTV, showing him as a lovable, chaotic dad alongside Sharon and kids Kelly and Jack. I binged that show as a teen, laughing at Ozzy mumbling through family fights. He’s a two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer (with Sabbath in 2006, solo in 2024) and won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. Birmingham honored him and Sabbath with the Freedom of the City on June 30, 2025, and a “Working Class Hero” exhibit opened June 25, showcasing his Grammys and platinum discs.
What Made the Concert Epic
The “Back to the Beginning” lineup was a metalhead’s dream. Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Pantera played tributes, with GNR covering “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.” A supergroup featuring Billy Corgan, K.K. Downing, and Travis Barker rocked out, while Yungblud dedicated “Changes” to late footballer Diogo Jota. Jack Black’s “Mr. Crowley” nailed Ozzy’s haunting vocals, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Ozzy, backed by Zakk Wylde, Mike Inez, and Travis Barker for his solo set, had the crowd screaming “louder, louder” and “go f****** crazy.” Fireworks capped the night as Ozzy, visibly emotional, said, “You’re all special. Let’s go crazy.” I’ve been to concerts where the energy’s electric, but 40,000 fans chanting Ozzy’s name in his hometown must’ve been unreal.
Ozzys Health and Resilience
Ozzy’s health saga is no secret. After his 2003 crash, he caught COVID-19 in 2022 and faced multiple surgeries, including a final neck procedure in 2023. Parkinson’s and emphysema have left him unable to walk far, hence the throne on stage. Sharon, his wife and manager, opened the Birmingham exhibit and stood by him, saying their bond is “invisible” despite decades of ups and downs.
Ozzy turned down a U.S. farewell tour, with an insider saying he “only has one show left in him.” Yet his voice held strong, and fans like Tom Mould, a front-row engineering apprentice, raved, “He’s still got it.” I’ve seen loved ones fight chronic illness, and Ozzy’s drive to perform one last time is the kind of stubborn spirit that defines him.
Whats Next for Ozzy
Ozzy’s done with live shows, but not music. In a July 1 Metal Hammer interview, he announced plans to record new material, saying he’s not fully retiring. On July 25, 2025, Big Bear Records will release Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes, featuring 1969 Black Sabbath demos from their pre-Sabbath days as Earth.
Ozzy and his family will also appear at Comic Con Midlands later in July, per AXS TV. Sharon, reflecting on his final show, told Metro, “I’m done,” hinting she’s stepping back too. I’d bet Ozzy’s got one more album in him—his career’s been about defying odds. Fans are already buzzing about what he’ll do next, with some hoping for a studio comeback.