The iconic lineup of BLACK SABBATH — Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward — will perform their final concert this July, marking the end of an era.
The much-anticipated event, aptly named Back To The Beginning, is set to take place on July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, UK. Tickets for this monumental occasion will go on sale at 10 a.m. on February 14. The show promises an incredible lineup, with legendary acts such as METALLICA, SLAYER, and PANTERA, along with several more world-class bands.
A highlight of the night will be an all-star ensemble of musicians, featuring Billy Corgan (THE SMASHING PUMPKINS), Tom Morello (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE), Fred Durst (LIMP BIZKIT), Jonathan Davis (KORN), Wolfgang Van Halen, and more. Morello, who will also serve as the event’s musical director, has teased that the performance will be nothing short of legendary. As he puts it: “This will be the greatest heavy metal show ever.”
In addition to the already star-studded lineup, the night will see performances from ANTHRAX, ALICE IN CHAINS, GOJIRA, HALESTORM, LAMB OF GOD, and others. All of the event’s proceeds will go towards Birmingham-based charities, including Cure Parkinson’s, the Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice.
Ozzy Osbourne himself shared an emotional sentiment about the event, stating: “It’s my time to go ‘Back To The Beginning’… time for me to give back to the place where I was born. How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal. Birmingham Forever.”
METALLICA also expressed their excitement: “We are beyond honored and humbled to be invited to perform at BLACK SABBATH’s final show, back where it all began in Birmingham, England. On July 5 at Villa Park — home of Aston Villa — Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward will reunite to play their first show together in 20 years. Tickets go on sale at 10 AM GMT on Friday, February 14, via Ticketmaster UK and Live Nation UK.”
The show will be a fitting tribute to nearly six decades of BLACK SABBATH’s influence on the world of music, with METALLICA playing just before a brief solo set by Ozzy Osbourne, followed by BLACK SABBATH themselves closing the night.
Fans can expect a global celebration, with musicians like Billy Corgan (SMASHING PUMPKINS), David Draiman (DISTURBED), Duff McKagan & Slash (GUNS N’ ROSES), Frank Bello (ANTHRAX), and many more joining the festivities.
All proceeds from the event will be donated to charity, specifically benefiting Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice, a children’s hospice supported by Aston Villa.
The level of respect and admiration for BLACK SABBATH is clear, and the anticipation for this monumental event is palpable. METALLICA shares their enthusiasm, saying, “Our admiration for BLACK SABBATH runs deep, and we cannot wait to be a part of this historic event! We’ll see you in Birmingham!”
Last year, Sharon Osbourne revealed that Ozzy was hoping to perform a farewell concert in his hometown of Birmingham as a way to say goodbye to the fans who have supported him throughout his career.
