Ozzy Osbourne says farewell to live performance with a hometown show for 40,000 fans

LONDON – Hard-rock royalty and immoderate 40,000 fans gathered for an ear-splitting tribute to Ozzy Osbourne astatine what the dense metallic icon says was his last-ever unrecorded performance.

The archetypal lineup of Osbourne’s set Black Sabbath performed astatine Villa Park shot stadium successful their location metropolis of Birmingham, cardinal England, connected Saturday.

The 76-year-old singer, who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, sang from a achromatic throne that roseate up from nether the stage.

“Let the madness begin!” helium urged arsenic helium took the stage, and aboriginal paid tribute to fans.

“I don’t cognize what to say, man, I’ve been laid up for similar six years. You person nary thought however I consciousness — convey you from the bottommost of my heart,” Osbourne said. “You’re each … special. Let’s spell crazy, travel on.”

Osbourne performed respective songs solo earlier being joined onstage, for the archetypal clip successful 20 years, by Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Terence “Geezer” Butler and Bill Ward. The set ended a abbreviated acceptable with “Paranoid," 1 of its astir celebrated songs.

It capped a day-long metallic festival that included performances from the likes of Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N’Roses. Artists who sent plaudits and well-wishes included Jack Black, Dolly Parton and Elton John.

“You are 1 of the astir singular singers of our time,” John said. “You are the king, you are the legend.”

Osbourne formed Black Sabbath successful 1968 successful Birmingham, a metropolis past known for its dense manufacture that became the crucible of the British metallic scene. Black Sabbath’s devil imagery and thunderous dependable made them 1 of the era's astir influential — and parent-scaring — metallic acts. Both the set and Osbourne arsenic a solo creator person been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Osbourne’s fame expanded into the mainstream successful the aboriginal 2000s, erstwhile helium joined his woman Sharon Osbourne, and 2 of their children successful the MTV world TV amusement “The Osbournes.”

He has struggled with wellness issues since 2003 pursuing a near-fatal quad motorcycle crash. He revealed his Parkinson’s diagnosis successful 2020 and paused touring successful 2023 aft spinal surgery.

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