Black Sabbath to reunite for one final benefit show July 5

[FORD]

Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath are reuniting for one last time to play a fundraising concert in Birmingham on 5 July


Ozzy Osbourne will play his final show with Black Sabbath this summer (
Image: Getty Images for iHeartMedia)


By Susan KnoxAssistant Showbiz Editor

• 12:42, 5 Feb 2025
• Updated12:54, 5 Feb 2025

Ozzy Osbourne will play his final show with Black Sabbath this summer.
The rocker, 76, and Black Sabbath are reuniting for one last time, to play a fund-raising concert in Birmingham on 5 July.

The heavy mental legends will headline a one-day festival at Villa Park, featuring dozens of bands they inspired, including Metallica, Pantera, Slayer, Gojira and Anthrax.
The exciting concert will mark the first time that Black Sabbath's original line-up - Ozzy, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward - have played together in over 20 years.

Ozzy, who has been forced to halt touring due to a combination to his Parkinson's battle, is set to play a short solo set before joining his bandmates on stage for the epic reunion.





Ozzy will play his final show with Black Sabbath this July (
Image:
Redferns via Getty Images)

“It’s my time to go Back to the Beginning….time for me to give back to the place where I was born,” Ozzy Osbourne said. “How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal. Birmingham Forever.”

His comeback was announced at Villa Park by his wife, Sharon, and Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi.

Proceeds from the show will support Cure Parkinson's, the Birmingham Children's Hospital and Acorn Children's Hospice, a Children's Hospice supported by Aston Villa. Other acts on the line-up include Alice In Chains, Halestorm, Lamb Of God and Mastodon.

Ozzy was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2020 and largely stepped back from touring after playing the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in 2022.



Black Sabbath will reunite on stage for the first time in 20 years (
Image:
Getty Images)

However, he recently told Rolling Stone UK, that he has strong desires to return to the stage - although he doubts that it will be realistic given his health struggles.

Last year, he told the publication: "I'm taking it one day at a time, and if I can perform again, I will. But it's been like saying farewell to the best relationship of my life."

"I'm not going to get up there and do a half-hearted Ozzy looking for sympathy. What's the [expletive] point in that? I'm not going up there in a [expletive] wheelchair."

Ozzy has bravely spoken about his health battles over the years, after he shared his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2020 in an interview with Good Morning America.

He said the diagnosis was “terribly challenging”, and spoke about the complications he has suffered, including depression and mobility issues.



Ozzy's wife Sharon has been caring for him amid his Parkinson's battle (
Image:
Getty Images)

Former X Factor judge Sharon said her husband struggled day to day, and explained: “There’s so many different types of Parkinson’s; it’s not a death sentence by any stretch of the imagination, but it does affect certain nerves in your body. And it’s - it’s like you have a good day, and then a really bad day.”

In 2022, Ozzy underwent major spinal surgery, and less than a year later, he announced he was retiring from touring because he was no longer “physically capable” of performing on stage.

“As you may all know, four years ago, this month, I had a major accident, where I damaged my spine. My one and only purpose during this time has been to get back on stage. My singing voice is fine,” he said in the heartbreaking statement.

“However, after three operations, stem cell treatments, endless physical therapy sessions, and most recently groundbreaking Cybernics (HAL) Treatment, my body is still physically weak.”

He had further surgery on his neck in late 2023, and Sharon spoke candidly about how her husband has changed since his Parkinson’s diagnosis. “I just think of my husband, who was very energetic, loved to go out for walks, did a two-hour show on stage every night, running around like a crazy man,” she said in the ITV documentary Paxman: Putting Up With Parkinson's in 2022. “Suddenly, your life just stops - life as you knew it.”

[Seshmeister]

Former X Factor judge and total cunt Sharon said her husband struggled day to day, and explained: “There’s so many different types of marriage; it’s not a death sentence by any stretch of the imagination, but it does affect certain nerves in your body. And it’s - it’s like you have a good day, and then I appear. Ozzy has suffered horribly”

...

[Terry]

Yeah, well, by many accounts Sharon Osbourne isn't a particularly likeable person and fairly ruthless on a business level.

At the end of the day, doubtless she doesn't give a shit about the public perceptions.

She believed in Ozzy back when he first left Sabbath and was seemingly intent and content to do little else other than drink and drug himself into oblivion. Yeah, the firing of Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake, the stiffing of Jake E. Lee on BATM's song credits, Ozzy's mid-80's Vegas glitz image and on and on were things she had a hand in, but Ozzy wasn't an unwitting participant in all of that.

It'll be interesting to see if Bill Ward actually plays at the upcoming show. Everybody blamed Sharon for Ward pulling out of the last proposed original Sabbath reunion 10 + years ago because of what he perceived to be a paltry offer percentage-wise to participate, but there again it wasn't as if Ozzy, Tony and Geezer were caught unaware of what was going on. Far as the 'one last time' thing, well, maybe that'll prove to be true now if only because Ozzy and Tony are in varying degrees of poor health. Honestly, so many bands have used that 'this will definitely be the last time ...until the next time' hook the generate interest that these 'farewell' proclamations produce a non-reaction from me when I hear them.

[Seshmeister]

Well I was at one of their final shows 8 years ago.

Surprisingly I see Jake E Lee is listed on the line-up. Him getting shot must have reminded Ozzy he exists. I wonder if he is going to be playing the Ozzy solo stuff.

Less surprising is Hagar and Wolf who are desperately trying to build up their standing at the moment.

So weird to have any event like this without the customary take over by Dave Grohl but I guess he's keeping his head down still.

[Seshmeister]

Yeah, well, by many accounts Sharon Osbourne isn't a particularly likeable person and fairly ruthless on a business level.

At the end of the day, doubtless she doesn't give a shit about the public perceptions.

I dunno she has fostered the image of the loveable grandmother character for a long while now and 99% of the public don't know her dark past of ripping everyone off.

The story that always stays with me is them on tour in the early 80s at a hotel and a young barmaid refuses to serve any more booze to a paralytic Ozzy following company policy. Sharon finds the manager and screams at him to sack the girl and when he refuses she squats and shits in the lobby of the hotel.

Remember this is fat frumpy pre surgeries Sharon, it's a hell of an image...

[FORD]

[Terry]

Well I was at one of their final shows 8 years ago.

Surprisingly I see Jake E Lee is listed on the line-up. Him getting shot must have reminded Ozzy he exists. I wonder if he is going to be playing the Ozzy solo stuff.

Less surprising is Hagar and Wolf who are desperately trying to build up their standing at the moment.

So weird to have any event like this without the customary take over by Dave Grohl but I guess he's keeping his head down still.

I thought Jake E. Lee had carpal tunnel or some sort of arthritis. I guess it isn't debilitating to the point where he can't play, which is good.

I see Rudy Sarzo is on the bill. Honestly, I wonder in what capacity. Perhaps jumping onstage to play a few tunes with whoever else. I mean, I never thought of Rudy Sarzo as a solo act. He doesn't write. He as far as I can remember doesn't sing lead. The last I heard, he was fronting 'Quiet Riot' not too long ago, which to me came off just as absurd as when Frankie Banali was fronting 'Quiet Riot' after Kevin DuBrow died, when the band was basically down to one member of the Metal Health-era and three jagoffs one had never heard of.

Gee, I wonder if Wolfgang is going to wow us all via playing some of Eddie's licks! In truth, watching Wolfgang fingertap Eddie's stuff is about as exciting as watching a million other guitarists whose last name isn't Van Halen do it, which is to say it isn't.

The one saving grace is that Dave Grohl ISN'T going to be there.

[Terry]

I dunno she has fostered the image of the loveable grandmother character for a long while now and 99% of the public don't know her dark past of ripping everyone off.

The story that always stays with me is them on tour in the early 80s at a hotel and a young barmaid refuses to serve any more booze to a paralytic Ozzy following company policy. Sharon finds the manager and screams at him to sack the girl and when he refuses she squats and shits in the lobby of the hotel.

Remember this is fat frumpy pre surgeries Sharon, it's a hell of an image...

I do remember around 1982 or so seeing a pic of Ozzy in Circus or Creem or whatever with Sharon. I think it was an article talking about their wedding and was the first picture I'd seen of her, and she WAS fat and frumpy! I recall thinking she looked like she was Ozzy's mother.

Hadn't heard that early 80's Sharon Takes a Shit in the Hotel Lobby story, but admittedly it amused me to read that.

I wouldn't disagree that she has been ruthless in securing Ozzy's interests, particularly at the expense of the musicians who actually wrote and played the music on Ozzy's records.

[Terry]

Ozzy has said in a current interview that he basically can't walk due to his Parkinsons.

Which ...is it that Ozzy is going to do a full solo set AND a full Black Sabbath set?

Okay, I see from the first post Ozzy is set to do a short solo set then join Black Sabbath for a reunion, which I presume is a full set. Or maybe an hour.

Well, I suppose it's doable. I thought Bill Ward has various health issues as well.

I'll definitely have an interest in seeing the original Sabbath play again. One just hopes it doesn't turn into one of those things where the end result leaves an impression that the band left it until too late and therefore would have been better off leaving well enough alone. Whatever the case, Black Sabbath in terms of what they did still holds up just fine to my ears. And I like all of it. The original lineup the most, but the Dio stuff was just fine (even Dehumanizer). Apparently, I'm one of a minority who actually dug the Born Again/Ian Gillan stint. Recently, I've been listening to the stuff done under the Sabbath name when it was just Tony left, mostly the stuff with Ray Gillen singing. That post-Born Again stuff I hadn't paid much attention to at the time, but there was some good material there. Ray Gillen was a great singer. So was Tony Martin.

[Kristy]

Ozzy has said in a current interview that he basically can't walk due to his Parkinsons.

Slozzy hasn't walked right since 1981. You do massive amounts of coke, coke lacked with heroin, heroin laced with coke, coke and heroin laced with lead paint and drink like a fish for over 50 years of your miserable life only to subject your die hard fans to witness a slobbering idiot clap his hands together like a baby harp seal and drool like a short bus toddler. Since this is a "benefit" gig how much of that benefit does Sharon get to keep? No fucking way is propping up her spastic gravy train on any stage unless she gets paid.

Might as well turn this into a Trump rally if you're going to place a person on a stage without a single clue as to where they are.

[Terry]

Slozzy hasn't walked right since 1981. You do massive amounts of coke, coke lacked with heroin, heroin laced with coke, coke and heroin laced with lead paint and drink like a fish for over 50 years of your miserable life only to subject your die hard fans to witness a slobbering idiot clap his hands together like a baby harp seal and drool like a short bus toddler. Since this is a "benefit" gig how much of that benefit does Sharon get to keep? No fucking way is propping up her spastic gravy train on any stage unless she gets paid.

Might as well turn this into a Trump rally if you're going to place a person on a stage without a single clue as to where they are.

So, you're on the fence about going to the show, I take it.

[Kristy]

Just like to know what Sharon's cut is in all of this.

[Terry]

Just like to know what Sharon's cut is in all of this.

Doubtless there will - despite the "all proceeds go to the charity" disclaimer - be a few bucks in it for her and Ozzy. And everybody else who goes onstage. All production expenses for the performers (travel, food, accommodations, etc.) will be paid for via the event. It's not as if post-concert anybody is going to undertake forensic accounting to find any misappropriations of funds.

[FORD]

[Mushroom]

Hurry up and get it done with, poleazzzzze !