In brief
The iconic heavy metal band Black Sabbath, along with frontman Ozzy Osbourne, has announced a final reunion concert in Birmingham scheduled for July 5. This one-day fundraising festival at Villa Park is set to include a host of renowned bands influenced by the genre-defining group, such as Metallica, Pantera, and Slayer. Fans can expect to see the original members—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—together for the first time in 20 years. Despite health challenges limiting Osbourne's touring ability, his wife Sharon shared that he remains eager to perform one last time for his fans, viewing this concert as a proper farewell.
The event, entitled "Back To The Beginning," was unveiled at Villa Park by Sharon Osbourne alongside Tony Iommi. The concert, touted as potentially the "greatest heavy metal show ever" by Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello—who will serve as musical director—aims to raise funds for Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and Acorn Children's Hospice.Black Sabbath, widely regarded as the pioneers of heavy metal, began their journey in 1968, rehearsing just a short distance from the upcoming concert location. Their last farewell performance was in 2017 in front of 16,000 fans and marked the end of an extensive world tour. Following that, Osbourne released two solo albums but has since faced health complications, including a Parkinson's diagnosis. He expressed his yearning to perform again, aiming for a powerful and energetic return rather than a feeble farewell.Alongside the original band members, the lineup will feature a "supergroup" consisting of notable musicians like Billy Corgan, Slash, Fred Durst, and more, performing both Sabbath and Ozzy classics. Sharon Osbourne emphasized the collaboration's significance and the chance for their musical icons to contribute to this legendary finale. As anticipation builds for what promises to be an unforgettable return of the heavy metal titans, fans around the world are eager to witness this historic moment.
