Credited from: USATODAY
Key Takeaways:
Ozzy Osbourne is preparing for a historic moment in the music industry as he reunites with the original lineup of Black Sabbath for a concert at Villa Park in their home city of Birmingham, England, on July 5. This marks the first time the legendary band has performed together in 20 years, and it is billed as their final show. Formed in 1968, Black Sabbath, comprising of frontman Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward, is considered one of the pioneers of the heavy metal genre.
This highly anticipated reunion is set against the backdrop of Osbourne's health challenges, including a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease in 2020, which led to his decision to pause touring in 2023 after significant medical procedures. "It's my time to go back to the beginning... time for me to give back to the place where I was born," Osbourne noted in a statement, emphasizing his connection to Birmingham as the "true home of metal." After years of health struggles, his wife Sharon Osbourne declared, "This is his full stop," highlighting the emotional weight of this concert.
The event will also host an array of other metal icons, with Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, and Alice in Chains among the supporting acts. Described by musical director Tom Morello as "the greatest heavy metal show ever," the concert aims to celebrate the band's legacy while raising funds for charities, including Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and others.
Tickets for this monumental event will be available starting February 14, and the excitement surrounding what is expected to be a touching farewell has transcended global media outlets. For more details on the upcoming show, visit Reuters.