The Best Moments From Ozzy Osbourne’s Back to the Beginning Farewell Concert

Over half a century since their initial formation in Birmingham, England, the heavy metal legends Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath have decided it’s time to hang up their instruments and step away from creating music and performing live.

As a die-hard fan, I couldn’t wait for the epic conclusion Osbourne and his wife Sharon, his manager, had orchestrated. They brought together the greatest names in rock and metal to honor the band’s impact during an all-day event streamed live online. Some bands have broken their promises after disbanding, but this show on Saturday seemed like everyone involved – the band and the music community – were sealing the legacy of the band with a heavy lid, and it was overflowing with love.

Entitled “Back to Our Roots,” the 10-hour concert took place at Villa Park, not far from where Osbourne and his friends once called home. The event boasted an impressive lineup and a host of surprises orchestrated by musical director Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), who put together two special supergroups for the occasion.

The grand event began in the U.K. at 3 p.m., and it was streamed online two hours later in the United States, which was 10 a.m. on the East Coast and 7 a.m. on the West Coast. The live performance started with a loud set from Mastodon, followed by a soulful performance by Rival Sons, and then Anthrax delivered a short but energetic two-song performance.

In summary, the streaming event was a triumph, providing an unforgettable stadium-like experience for those fortunate enough to attend. Each performer paid tribute to Sabbath or Ozzy by performing their covers (in some cases, even multiple ones). However, certain renditions of throaty vocals and aggressive riffs seemed more fitting for the material compared to others.

Let me share with you some remarkable milestones and stunning performances at the grand occasion honoring the iconic heavy metal group that shaped our culture, and their enigmatic leader, who will always be remembered as the King of Darkness.

Jason Momoa is the host with the most – on stage and in the pit

At the beginning of the concert, Momoa declared it as “the most epic day in heavy metal history,” and he seemed to be having a blast throughout. Caught on camera taking pictures and videos of his favorite bands from the side stage, he even hinted at joining the mosh pit when introducing Pantera, one of the more aggressive acts performing. Footage showed him doing exactly that, gleefully crashing and jumping around with fans, demonstrating that when it comes to music, this famous figure truly lives up to his “Walk” nickname.

Jack Black and rockstar offspring kill it on “Mr Crowley”

In a different tone, Momoa’s Minecraft co-star is well-versed in the world of rock music – he forms half of the musical duo Tenacious D with Kyle Gass. However, it was his eccentric performance in a pre-recorded music video alongside Roman Morello (Tom Morello’s son) and Revel Ian (Scott Ian of Anthrax’s son) that truly stood out. In an unusual yet accurate homage to Ozzy, Black delivered the song “Mr. Crowley” during the day, maintaining Osbourne’s melancholic, whiny singing style and sinister delivery perfectly.

Lizzy Hale sings up a storm

Liaming as the sole female performer, Lzzy Hale of Halestorm delivered a pair of gritty and loud original songs along with a powerful rendition of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Perry Mason.” Later, she performed another ’80s solo-era Ozzy tune, “Ultimate Sin,” accompanied by a strong ensemble that included Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt, original Ozzy guitarist Jake E. Lee, and drummer Mike Bordin.

Nuno Bettencourt saves the day

In a lineup of exceptional guitarists, Bettencourt’s performances stood out as particularly remarkable. During the all-star jam segments of the show, his playing was intricate, soulful, and a joy to watch, especially when he accompanied Disturbed’s Dave Draiman on the catchy Sabbath tune “Sweet Leaf.” Initially, Draiman received boos when he first appeared on stage, but as he teamed up with Bettencourt for the cannabis-inspired track, the boos turned into applause.

Legends line-up to jam: Ronnie Wood, Steven Tyler and so much more

It’s widely believed that The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, and Black Sabbath are among the greatest rock n’ roll acts of all time. Therefore, it was fitting and enlightening to witness Wood from The Rolling Stones and Tyler from Aerosmith pay homage at an electrifying collaborative performance. This event also included Billy Corgan from Smashing Pumpkins, Papa V Perpetua from Ghost, Travis Barker, Sammy Hagar, Vernon Reid from Living Colour, and others. The performance consisted of eight songs, with half being tributes to Sabbath or Ozzy. Songs like Judas Priest’s “Breaking the Law” and Aerosmith hits such as a powerful rendition of “Walk This Way” into Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” marked this stellar gathering.

Yungblud makes “Changes”

British pop-punk singer Yungblud is recognized for breaking the mold, particularly in his choice of cover songs. Unlike Fred Durst’s recorded version of “Changes” that was accompanied by a cellist for a show, Yungblud’s rendition during Morello’s jam session had a more heartfelt and emotional quality, much like his previous cover of David Bowie’s “Life on Mars.” A few years back.

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Pop-punk artist Yungblud from the UK is known for bucking trends, especially with his unique cover song selections. Unlike Fred Durst’s recorded version of “Changes” that was paired with a cellist for a performance, Yungblud’s interpretation during Morello’s jam resonated more sincerely, much like his previous rendition of David Bowie’s “Life on Mars.” This was several years ago.

Celebrity Drum Circle: Travis Barker, Chad Smith & Danny Carey

In this performance, three renowned drummers – Danny Carey (Tool), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Travis Barker (Blink-182) – collaborated on a thrilling rendition of Sabbath’s “Symptom of the Universe.” They not only played together, but also challenged each other during the same song, creating an electrifying mix of teamwork and friendly competition.

Tool yields its own “Hand of Doom”

Regarding power and accuracy, the Los Angeles band delivered an outstanding performance at Villa Park, captivating the crowd with their alluring tracks “Forty Six & 2” and “Aenema.” Not only did they make Black Sabbath’s “Hand of Doom” from the album Paranoid their own through Maynard James Keenan’s impassioned vocals and the band’s relentless rhythm section, but it was arguably the finest cover of the day.

Guns n’ Roses and Metallica Bow Down

As a die-hard metalhead, I was on the edge of my seat watching the penultimate acts before the main event, Guns n’ Roses and Metallica. Both bands brought unexpected song choices to the table, but it was their chemistry on stage that truly captivated me. With their storied histories filled with highs and lows, they each emanated a unique vibe. I must admit, I thought Metallica would unleash their signature sonic fury on Saturday night, but their set turned out to be more laid-back and enjoyable than expected.

Axl Rose and Guns n’ Roses, however, seemed less about ego and more focused on honoring the band that paved the way for heavy metal rebels like themselves. They paid tribute by covering four Sabbath songs and performing two of their own hits (“Welcome to the Jungle” and “Paradise City”). In a surprising twist, Metallica opted to play four original tracks such as “For Whom the Bells Tolls” and “Master of Puppets,” alongside two deep-cut covers.

Video Shout-outs, from Dolly Parton to Elton John

As a devoted admirer, I’d like to share that Dolly Parton, Elton John, Billy Idol, Jonathan Davis, and others took time out to record messages for Ozzy and the band, expressing how Black Sabbath shaped and influenced their own music. It was an emotional interlude amidst the performances, fan videos, and promotional material for the show’s charitable partners. The proceeds from this concert will be evenly distributed among Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice.

One point of contention arose during the event when Marilyn Manson made an appearance, which seemed to upset some fans online due to his inclusion. However, this did not diminish the overall sentiment of appreciation and respect for the musicians involved in this special tribute.

The Prince on his throne

Despite facing health issues like Parkinson’s and spinal problems for several years, Ozzy Osboure’s vocals remain lively. He concluded his performances on a bat-adorned throne, first with his band (accompanied by an impressive Zakk Wylde on guitar), followed by his iconic collaborators, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and returning drummer Bill Ward.

During the solo set, “Crazy Train” was a standout moment, but it was the ballad “Mama I’m Coming Home” that touched the crowd deeply and seemed to move Ozzy the most. Known for his eccentricities like biting bats’ heads and reality TV fame, Ozzy is often seen as a pop culture caricature. However, it’s his musical talent that made him a legend. This was evident in his last-ever performance with Black Sabbath, which included only four songs (“War Pigs,” “NIB,” “Iron Man” and “Paranoid”). Contrary to the ominous image and panic associated with Black Sabbath in the past, Ozzy’s musical farewell was not marked by darkness, debauchery, or danger. Instead, it was a joyful event filled with fans, family, and friends.

2025-07-06 07:55