Ozzy Osbourne’s last performance wasn’t just a concert—it was a powerful goodbye. The 76-year-old rock legend, famously known as the “Prince of Darkness,” got his final wish granted: to return home to Birmingham and perform with his Black Sabbath bandmates one last time. But the moment came with mixed emotions.
Held on July 5th at Villa Park, the “Back To The Beginning” benefit show raised an incredible £140 million ($190 million) for charity. It was also Ozzy’s swan song—his final bow. Though the night was triumphant, it carried a quiet sadness. Ozzy, despite months of intense physical training, had to perform seated on a dramatic “bat throne” due to insurance concerns linked to his Parkinson’s and mobility issues.
According to insiders, Sharon Osbourne worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the concert happen. Insurance companies were hesitant to approve coverage if Ozzy stood or walked, fearing the risk of injury. “Without the throne, the show might’ve been canceled,” said one source. Sharon negotiated a solution: Ozzy could perform, but only seated. It wasn’t the ending he dreamed of, but it allowed him to say goodbye.
Ozzy had been training seven days a week to get stage-ready. He had a live-in trainer monitoring his health constantly—taking his blood pressure up to 15 times a day and using devices to track his oxygen levels and heart rate. “I used to need sleeping pills just to get to bed,” Ozzy joked in May. “Now, I’m in bed by seven and don’t take anything.”
He even converted a wing of his countryside home in Buckinghamshire into a mini-rehab center—with a spa pool, wellness room, and full-time medical support. He returned to the UK in March to prepare for the performance that would ultimately be his last.
Despite being grateful to be on stage, Ozzy was reportedly disappointed he couldn’t stand beside his bandmates. “It drove him in those last months,” a family friend shared. “He wanted to go out showing that he still had it in him.”
Fans last saw Ozzy walking slowly with a cane at the Comic Con Midlands event in Birmingham, surrounded by Sharon and his son Jack. Just two weeks later, on July 22, the world was stunned by the announcement of his passing.
“He was surrounded by love,” the Osbourne family wrote. “We ask for privacy as we process this immense loss.” Ozzy is survived by his six children and wife Sharon, who had just celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary on July 4.
Though the throne wasn’t part of his original plan, it became a symbol of strength. Ozzy didn’t go quietly—he went out with thunder and applause, in the city that made him who he was.
Birmingham forever. Ozzy forever.