Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath Conclude Their Music Making Careers with “Back to the Beginning” Concert

On July 5, 2025, John Michael Osbourne took the stage one last time for a massive performance that put on display the heart of metal. In his deteriorating condition, Ozzy will no longer have the capability to put on shows like he did in his youth, but he made a grand effort to give a proper sendoff to him and Black Sabbath.

Ozzy, along with Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, and Bill Ward, created Black Sabbath in 1968. They are considered as the “founders of metal.” Unfortunately for Ozzy, he was kicked out of the band prior to his abuse of, well, not good things. Ozzy then started his own music career, simply under the name Ozzy Osbourne. His latest album, “Patient #9” was Ozzy’s thirteenth and final album in his long winded career, and is arguably one of his best (you can fight me on that all you want). 

Not only did Black Sabbath and Ozzy perform, a plethora of other industry breaking bands played as well:

Metallica (Hole in the Sky, Creeping Death, For Whom the Bell Tolls, Johnny Blade, Battery, Master of Puppets)

Slayer (Disciple, War Ensemble, Wicked World, South of Heaven, Raining Blood, Angel of Death)

Pantera (Cowboys from Hell, Walk, Planet Caravan, Electric Funeral)

Gojira (Stranded, Silvera, Mea Culpa, Under the Sun)

Guns N’ Roses (It’s Alright, Never Say Die, Junior’s Eyes, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Welcome to the Jungle, Paradise City)

Tool (Forty Six & 2, Hand of Doom, Ænema)

Alice in Chains (Man in the Box, Would?, Fairies Wear Boots)

Lamb of God (Laid to Rest, Redneck, Children of the Grave)

Halestorm (Loves Bites (So Do I), Rain Your Blood on Me, Perry Mason)

Anthrax (Indians, Into the Void)

Rival Sons (Do Your Worst, Electric Funeral, Secret)

Mastodon (Black Tongue, Blood and Thunder, Supernaut)

As soon as Ozzy rose up onto the stage, his eyes became so full of life. During his set, Ozzy sang “Mama I’m Coming Home,” “Mr. Crowley,” “I Don’t Know,” “Suicide Solution,” and of course, “Crazy Train.” Ozzy’s eyes began to well up with tears as he sang the music he created almost 50 years ago. After his set, Ozzy joined Black Sabbath for one last time to sing “Paranoid,” “Iron Man,” “War Pigs,” and “N.I.B.”

Contrary to media portrayal of their final bow, Ozzy’s bandmates went backstage to grab a cake with Ozzy’s face imprinted on it, saying a final farewell to the band, and Ozzy in their singing careers.

The festivities didn’t end after that, however, as in the greenroom after the spectacular performance, Slipknot’s Sid Wilson decided to finally propose to Ozzy’s daughter, Kelly. The night ended in absolute joy and wonder, as Ozzy left the stage, ready to live out the rest of his days as your everyday, average man.

Matt Weed

News Director at WXOU