BREAKING: Black Sabbath GUITARIST Tony Iommi C…read more.
There was a kind of electricity in the air that night heavy, almost spiritual as thousands of fans filled Birmingham’s Genting Arena to witness the final bow of Black Sabbath. But behind the power of the guitars, the thunderous drums, and the iconic riffs, there was something much deeper unfolding: a quiet, personal battle Ozzy Osbourne was fighting to stand on that stage one last time.
According to guitarist Tony Iommi, Ozzy wasn’t supposed to be there at least, not physically. Years of health complications had taken a serious toll on the frontman. Parkinson’s disease, multiple surgeries, and frailty had left him weak and in pain. But to miss that final show? Not a chance.
“He held out,” Iommi said during an emotional reflection. “He fought so hard to make it to that night. And he did it for us his band, his fans, his family. He pushed through when most people would’ve called it a day.”
For Iommi, who has known Ozzy since they were teenagers growing up in Birmingham, watching his longtime friend rise to the occasion was both painful and awe-inspiring. “We’ve been through everything together madness, success, illness, fallouts but that night, it felt like it all came full circle. He could’ve bowed out quietly, but he didn’t. He showed up.”
Ozzy’s appearance wasn’t easy. Leading up to the show, there were real concerns that he wouldn’t be able to perform at all. Rehearsals were missed, setbacks occurred, and the stress of preparing such a monumental farewell weighed heavily on everyone. But Ozzy, ever the fighter, never lost sight of what the night meant.
“He’d say, ‘I’ll be there, mate. Don’t you worry.’ Even if we weren’t always sure he could do it, he was,” Iommi said, smiling faintly. “That’s Ozzy. Stubborn as hell. But full of heart.”
The night of the show, when the lights dimmed and the iconic opening notes of “Black Sabbath” rang out, there was a shift in the room. Fans held their breath as the figure of Osbourne, a little slower now, walked onto the stage. The crowd erupted.
“It wasn’t about perfection,” said Iommi. “It was about presence. He gave everything he had left. Every note, every gesture is it was all real. All Ozzy.”
The setlist was packed with classics: “Iron Man,” “Paranoid,” “War Pigs.” And while the energy was there, what truly moved people wasn’t just the music it was the vulnerability. The raw courage it took for Ozzy to stand under those lights, his body aching, his voice trembling at times, but his soul fully committed.
“I watched him closely during that show,” Iommi said. “He smiled through the pain. He connected with everyone in that room. You could feel that he was soaking it all in, one last time.”
For the band, the night was more than just a concert it was closure. A farewell to the band that defined a genre and changed the lives of millions. And for Ozzy, it was deeply personal.
“I know how much that meant to him,” Iommi said softly. “It wasn’t just about the music. It was about finishing something we started together all those years ago, on the streets of Birmingham.”
While drummer Bill Ward was absent due to past disagreements, Iommi insists the bond between the members is still strong in spirit. “We all started something magical. And that night, with Ozzy there, it felt complete.”
In the months since the show, Ozzy has remained mostly out of the public eye, focusing on his health and time with family. Yet, the legacy of that night lingers etched into the hearts of those who witnessed it, and forever burned into the story of Black Sabbath.
“He could’ve stayed home,” Iommi said. “But instead, he stood with us, gave us that one last moment, and reminded everyone who he is. Not just the Prince of Darkness. Not just a rock star. But a warrior with a heart bigger than any stage.”
As the lights faded that night, and the final chords rang through the air, Ozzy raised his arms one last time, tears in his eyes. It was goodbye but it was also a thank you.
“He held out,” Iommi repeated. “And we’ll never forget that.”
