Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath, has announced that he will not be performing a full set at the band's upcoming farewell show due to his ongoing health challenges.
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The 76-year-old rocker, known for his pioneering role in heavy metal, admitted that he can no longer handle the physical demands of a full live performance. Instead, he plans to participate in "little bits and pieces" during the final concert, which will see the iconic lineup of Black Sabbath -- Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward -- reunite for one last encore.
This emotional reunion will take place on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham, marking the band's first performance in eight years. The concert will also be Black Sabbath's first time playing together with all four original members in two decades.
It will be a bittersweet moment for fans, as it also serves as Osbourne's final appearance with the group. Following the band's last tour in 2017, Black Sabbath had made it clear that their time together on stage was over, but this special charity gig provides an opportunity to bring them back for a memorable farewell.
Ozzy's decision to scale back his involvement is not due to lack of desire but is a result of his ongoing battle with health issues, including Parkinson's disease, which he revealed in 2020.
Ozzy's Recent Health Issues
The rock star has also struggled with emphysema, which causes breathlessness, and endured a series of serious injuries in recent years, including a fall in 2019 that required neck and spine surgery. These health complications have made it difficult for him to perform as he once did.
Despite his limitations, Osbourne expressed his determination not to let fans see him in a compromised state. During a recent appearance on Ozzy Speaks, he said, "I'm not planning on doing a set with Black Sabbath but I am doing little bits and pieces with them. I am doing what I can, where I feel comfortable." He made it clear that he would not perform half-heartedly for sympathy, adding, "I'm not going up there in a f****** wheelchair. What's the f****** point in that?"
Osbourne also revealed how hard it was for him to come to this decision, stating, "I've been doing this my whole life, and it's heartbreaking to admit I can't do what I used to do. But I'm not going to get up there and do a half-hearted Ozzy looking for sympathy. It's important to me that it's something I can still give with all my heart."
The concert, titled Back to the Beginning, will benefit several charities, including Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and Acorns Children's Hospice.
