Newsmakers

Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath Play Emotion-Filled Farewell Concert in Birmingham, England

In a historic and emotional event, legendary rock band Black Sabbath held their farewell concert in their hometown of Birmingham, England, marking the end of an era for one of the most influential bands in heavy metal history. The concert took place at the Birmingham Symphony Hall on Saturday, July 5.

The venue was packed with fans from around the globe, many holding banners and wearing Black Sabbath shirts, eager to celebrate their heroes one last time. Ozzy Osbourne, dressed in his signature flamboyant style, opened the evening with a heartfelt message: “Birmingham, this city’s been our home, and I want to thank you all for the love and support over the decades. This is our last show together, but the music lives on.”

As the band launched into “Black Sabbath,” Ozzy’s voice resonated with the power that had defined generations of heavy metal fans. “The song that started it all,” Ozzy said with a grin, as the crowd sang back in unison, “Oh, yeah!” Guitar riffs by Tony Iommi sliced through the air during “Iron Man,” while the heavy, ominous opening of “War Pigs” set the tone for an unforgettable night.

Fans shared their stories during the concert. One dedicated fan, Mark from Manchester, told a reporter afterward, “That moment when Ozzy hit the high notes in ‘Paranoid’ gave me chills. It’s like a piece of my childhood was there — I’ve been coming to their shows since the ‘70s.”

During “Changes,” Ozzy took a moment to share a personal note: “That song’s about reflecting on life, and I think we all have moments where we look back and realize how far we’ve come.” The band then played “Children of the Grave,” energizing the crowd with a relentless surge of guitars and drums. Fans erupted into claps and singing along, some crying tears of joy.

Tony Iommi addressed the audience: “Birmingham is the heart of our story. Without this city, none of us would be here. We’re grateful for everything, and tonight’s for all the fans who’ve kept the metal flame alive.” Later, Geezer Butler added, “It’s a bittersweet moment—sad to say goodbye, but proud of what we’ve created. This is history.”

In a touching tribute, Ozzy, visibly emotional, referenced the late drummer Bill Ward: “Bill, we miss you. This night’s not complete without you. I hope you’re watching.” The band’s encore featured “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath,” with Ozzy’s vocals reaching new heights, a testament to their enduring legacy.

As the night wound down, Ozzy asked the crowd, “Are you ready for the last song? This one’s for Birmingham, for the fans, and for everyone who’s loved us through the years.” They closed with “Nightmare,” a song that has persisted as a fan favorite.

Fans left the venue overwhelmed. Sarah, a young girl holding a “Long Live Ozzy” sign, spoke softly, “This was a once-in-a-lifetime moment. I grew up listening to Black Sabbath — it’s part of my soul.” Another fan, David, said, “I’ve seen them live five times, but this feels like the end of an era. I’ll cherish this night forever.”

Published by Tandy Culpepper

I am a veteran broadcast journalist. I was an Army brat before my father retired and moved us to the deep South. I'm talkin' Lower Alabama and Northwest Florida, I graduated from Tate High School and got botha Bachelor's degree and Master's in Teaching English from the University of West Florida, I taught English at Escambia County High School for two years before getting my m's in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Auburn University. Following graduation, I did a 180 degree turn and moved to Birmingham where I began ny broadcasting career at WBIQ, Channel 10. There I was host of a weekly primetime half-hour TV program called Alabama Lifestyles. A year later, I began a stint as a television weathercaster and public affairs host. A year later, I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida and became bureau chief at WPTV, the CBS affiliate. Two years later, I moved to Greensboro, North Carolina where I became co-host of a morng show called AM Carolina. The next year, I moved cross-country and became co-host and story producer at KTVN-TV in Reno, Nevada. I also became the medical reporter for the news department. Three years later, I moved to Louisville, Kentucky and became host and producer of a morning show called today in WAVE Country at WAVE-TV, Channel 3, the NBC affiliate. Following three years there, I moved to Los Angeles and became senior correspondent at the Turner Entertainment Reportn, an internationally-syndicated entertainment entertainment news service owned by CNN. I went back to school afterwards and got an MFA in Creative Nonfiction at Goucher College in Towson, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore. Oh, yes. I won a hundred thousand dollars on the 100 Thousand Dollar Pyramid, then hosted by Dick Clark.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *