The Prince Of Darkness’s Final Bow: When Was Ozzy Osbourne’s Last Show?

The curtain closed on one of rock’s most legendary careers on July 5, 2025. This date marks the definitive final live performance of John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne, the iconic “Prince of Darkness.” The historic event, a one-off reunion concert with his original band, Black Sabbath, took place in his beloved hometown of Birmingham, England, just weeks before his passing.

The performance was an emotional and powerful farewell, a testament to Osbourne’s unwavering spirit despite his advanced battle with Parkinson’s disease and severe mobility issues. The concert, titled “Back to the Beginning,” served as a poignant full-circle moment, bringing the original lineup back together for a final, unforgettable roar.

John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne: A Full Biography Profile

John Michael Osbourne, known globally as Ozzy Osbourne, was a British singer, songwriter, and media personality whose career spanned over five decades. He is universally recognized as the lead vocalist of the pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath and for his highly successful solo career.

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• Full Name: John Michael Osbourne
• Nickname: The Prince of Darkness, The Godfather of Metal
• Born: December 3, 1948
• Birthplace: Aston, Birmingham, England, U.K.
• Died: July 22, 2025 (Aged 76)
• Spouses: Thelma Riley (m. 1971; div. 1982), Sharon Osbourne (m. 1982; d. 2025)
• Children: Jessica, Louis, Aimee, Kelly, Jack, and Elliot (adopted by Sharon)
• Primary Bands: Black Sabbath (1968–1979, 1997–2006, 2011–2017, 2025), Solo Artist (1980–2025)
• Notable Health Battles: Parkinson’s disease (diagnosed 2003, announced 2020), various surgeries following a 2019 fall, and a long history of substance abuse.
• Awards/Honors: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (with Black Sabbath), UK Music Hall of Fame, 3-time Grammy Award winner.

The Definitive Last Show: "Back to the Beginning" on July 5, 2025

The final performance by Ozzy Osbourne was not part of his previously announced "No More Tours 2" solo trek, which had been repeatedly postponed and eventually canceled due to his deteriorating health. Instead, his definitive farewell took place at a special, one-off benefit concert in his hometown.

The event was called "Back to the Beginning" and was held at Villa Park in Birmingham, the home stadium of the Aston Villa football club. This location was deeply significant, as Birmingham is the birthplace of heavy metal and the city where Black Sabbath formed in 1968.

The concert was a monumental occasion, marking the first time in over two decades that the four original members of Black Sabbath—Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass), and Bill Ward (drums)—shared a stage. The reunion was a powerful, symbolic gesture, bringing his career full circle from the band that started it all.

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The Performance: A Seated Farewell

The visual of Ozzy’s final performance was as poignant as the music itself. Due to his ongoing health struggles with Parkinson’s disease and severe spinal injuries, Osbourne was unable to stand for the performance. He took to the stage seated on a specially designed, bat-themed throne, a nod to his infamous "Prince of Darkness" persona and the legendary bat-biting incident.

Despite his physical limitations, his voice, though aged, still carried the signature snarl and power that defined a genre. The sight of the four pioneers of metal together, with Ozzy seated, was a deeply moving and historic moment for the tens of thousands of fans in attendance and the millions watching worldwide. The concert served as a benefit, with all profits shared equally between various charities.

The Final Setlist: Solo Hits and Sabbath Classics

The "Back to the Beginning" concert was a multi-artist event, featuring performances by other metal titans such as Mastodon, Rival Sons, Anthrax, Halestorm, and Lamb of God, all paying tribute to the metal maestro. The final segment of the evening belonged to Ozzy and Black Sabbath, split between a short solo set and the full band reunion.

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Ozzy Osbourne’s Solo Final Songs

Ozzy’s solo portion of the set was a powerful, albeit brief, selection of his most beloved tracks, showcasing his post-Sabbath career. The final songs he ever sang as a solo artist included:

• "I Don't Know"
• "Mr. Crowley" (A tribute to the late Randy Rhoads)
• "Suicide Solution"
• "Mama, I'm Coming Home" (A deeply emotional final ballad)
• One final, unconfirmed solo track to complete his five-song segment.

The Black Sabbath Reunion

The true climax of the evening was the Black Sabbath reunion. With Tony Iommi’s crushing guitar riffs, Geezer Butler’s heavy, psychedelic bass lines, and Bill Ward back on the drums, the band delivered a thunderous performance of their seminal classics. While the full setlist included covers by supporting bands, the core Black Sabbath performance featured tracks that defined the heavy metal sound, including:

• "Black Sabbath"
• "War Pigs"
• "Paranoid"
• "Iron Man"
• "N.I.B."
• "Supernaut"

The original lineup's rendition of "Paranoid" served as the ultimate encore, the last song Ozzy Osbourne would ever perform live on stage. The moment was a powerful, deafening conclusion to a career that began in the very same city over 50 years prior.

The Legacy of the Final Performance and Health Battle

The urgency and emotion surrounding the "Back to the Beginning" show were amplified by the public knowledge of Ozzy’s severe health issues. The rocker had been open about his struggles, sharing in early 2025 that he could no longer walk due to the progression of Parkinson’s and the aftermath of a spinal injury.

His wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne, had confirmed that while he would not tour again, he was determined to play these final hometown shows. The July 5th concert was not just a show; it was a race against time, a final stand by the legendary vocalist to give his fans one last memory.

Tragically, the "Back to the Beginning" show did indeed become his final farewell. Ozzy Osbourne passed away on July 22, 2025, just 17 days after his performance. This fact cements the July 5, 2025, Black Sabbath reunion at Villa Park as the definitive, final chapter in the live performance history of the Prince of Darkness.

While he had been forced to retire from touring, Ozzy had consistently maintained that he was not retiring from music altogether, with plans to continue recording. However, his final, seated performance with his original band in his hometown will forever be remembered as the legendary rocker’s final, powerful goodbye to the stage.