Renowned as the godfather of heavy metal, Ozzy Osbourne, affectionately dubbed the “prince of darkness,” is set to conclude his illustrious performing career with a highly anticipated final concert this weekend. This monumental event will take place at Birmingham’s Villa Park, attracting thousands of ardent metal fans who are eager to witness the original lineup of Black Sabbath reunite for the first time in two decades. This concert has been touted as the “greatest heavy metal show ever,” marking a significant moment in the history of rock music.

Villa Park, the home stadium of Aston Villa FC, is located just a stone’s throw from where Osbourne spent his childhood in the suburb of Aston. It was within the vibrant music scene of this area that the now 76-year-old Osbourne embarked on his journey in music. He famously placed an advertisement seeking bandmates in a local record store, which led to the formation of Black Sabbath alongside his school friend and guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist and lyricist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward.

Reflecting on this momentous occasion, Osbourne shared, “It’s my final encore; it’s my chance to say thank you to my fans for always supporting me and being there for me. I couldn’t have done my final show anywhere else. I had to go back to the beginning.” This statement underscores not only his appreciation for his fans but also his deep-rooted connection to his hometown.

Black Sabbath is credited with transforming the landscape of late-1960s rock by introducing a darker, heavier sound that has since defined the heavy metal genre. Their music is characterized by down-tuned, distorted guitar riffs and haunting vocals, often exploring themes of war, madness, and the occult. Their self-titled debut album, released in 1970, is widely recognized as the birth of heavy metal, contributing to their staggering sales of approximately 75 million albums globally.

Corey Taylor from Slipknot remarked in a BBC Radio WM documentary, “Sabbath gave us the blueprint, Sabbath gave us the recipe. They gave us the cookbook, man!” This statement encapsulates the pivotal role Black Sabbath has played in shaping the heavy metal genre, inspiring countless artists across generations.

Osbourne's career has been marked by the embodiment of rock excess, earning him the reputation of the first wild rock star. His unpredictable and unfiltered persona has led to infamous incidents, such as biting the heads off doves during a record label meeting and mistaking a live bat for a prop on stage. His outrageous behavior extended to public intoxication charges, including an incident where he urinated on a war monument in Texas while donned in his wife’s dress.

The early 2000s brought Osbourne and his family, including wife Sharon and children Kelly and Jack, to a new level of fame through the reality TV show, “The Osbournes.” This breakthrough series offered an unfiltered glimpse into their chaotic household and became a cultural phenomenon. Last year, Osbourne was honored with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.

Fans of Black Sabbath have longed for the original members to reunite since their last performance during the 2005 Ozzfest tour, which ended with Ward's departure from the group. After the release of their final album “13” in 2013, and the conclusion of their last tour in Birmingham in 2017—where Ward did not participate due to contractual disagreements—the reunion has finally materialized. It’s noteworthy that the demand for tickets was so overwhelming that the 42,000-capacity concert sold out in just 16 minutes.

The concert, aptly titled “Back to the Beginning,” is curated by Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello. It will feature a solo set by Osbourne followed by performances of Black Sabbath’s iconic songs, promising a riveting experience for attendees. The event will span over 10 hours and showcase performances from numerous renowned metal bands, including Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, Halestorm, and members of Guns N’ Roses and Rage Against the Machine. Notably, the profits from this concert will be distributed among three charities: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and the Birmingham-based Acorns Children’s Hospice.

The choice of Birmingham as the concert venue is particularly fitting, given the city’s longstanding reverence for Black Sabbath. Earlier this year, the band was awarded the freedom of Birmingham, and the Birmingham Royal Ballet even created a dance piece inspired by Black Sabbath’s music in 2023.

While Osbourne has previously announced his retirement multiple times, ongoing health issues—including a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2020 and subsequent spinal surgeries—suggest that this performance may indeed serve as his farewell. He expressed to the Guardian, “I’d love to say ‘never say never,’ but after the last six years or so … it is time. I don’t want to die in a hotel room somewhere. I want to spend the rest of my life with my family.”