In a night that will go down in rock history, the original lineup of Black Sabbath reunited to close out Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell concert with an electrifying four-song set. The concert took place on a memorable Saturday night, leaving fans with an unforgettable experience as they saw the legendary band back together one last time.
The night was charged with anticipation and emotion as Ozzy Osbourne, alongside Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and the returning drummer Bill Ward, took the stage. This marked the first time since 2005 that Ward performed live with the band, making the reunion all the more significant. Osbourne had often expressed that their previous farewell tour, ‘The End,’ felt incomplete without Ward, and this performance was a heartfelt tribute to their storied legacy.
Osbourne, who has been battling health issues that led to the cancellation of his ‘No More Tours 2’ solo farewell in 2023, was determined to end his career on his own terms. He dedicated himself to rehabilitation and extensive training to prepare for this momentous occasion, aptly named ‘Back to the Beginning.’ The set list paid homage to the band’s roots, focusing entirely on tracks from their first two albums, including three from the 1970 album ‘Paranoid’ and one from their self-titled debut.
The set list was a nostalgic journey through their greatest hits, opening with the iconic ‘War Pigs,’ followed by ‘N.I.B.,’ and culminating with the crowd-pleasing ‘Iron Man’ and ‘Paranoid.’ Fans were treated to a powerful display of the band’s timeless sound and energy, proving that they are still legends of the genre.
The concert was a day-long celebration of hard rock and metal, with a stellar lineup of performers who paid tribute to Osbourne and Black Sabbath. The event, dubbed ‘Heavy Metal Summer Camp’ by Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich, featured performances by Guns N’ Roses, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Pantera, Tool, Sammy Hagar, and Alice in Chains, among others. These acts delivered their own hits as well as covers of Sabbath and Osbourne classics, making it a day to remember for all metal enthusiasts.
As the final notes of ‘Paranoid’ echoed through the venue, fans knew they had witnessed the end of an era. The original lineup of Black Sabbath had reunited one last time to give their frontman, Ozzy Osbourne, a farewell worthy of their legendary status. It was a fitting send-off for the Prince of Darkness, closing the final chapter of his illustrious career with style and grace.
