BREAKING: Black Sabbath GUITARIST Tony Iommi C…read more.
The night of Black Sabbath’s final concert in Birmingham was unforgettable not just for the music, but for the powerful display of courage by frontman Ozzy Osbourne. According to guitarist Tony Iommi, Ozzy pushed himself far beyond his physical limits to make sure he was there for the band’s last performance.
Despite years of health struggles, including Parkinson’s disease, surgeries, and ongoing pain, Ozzy was determined to be on that stage. Iommi, reflecting on that emotional night, shared that Ozzy wasn’t just showing up for the fans or the band he was fulfilling something much deeper.
“He fought through everything to be there,” Iommi said. “Most people wouldn’t have blamed him if he’d stayed home, but Ozzy didn’t want to miss it. He hung in there and gave it everything.”
Leading up to the show, there were serious doubts about whether Ozzy could manage a full performance. Rehearsals were missed, and his health was in constant flux. But throughout it all, Ozzy remained adamant. “He kept telling us, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll be there,’” Iommi recalled. “And in the end, he was.”
The final show featured all the band’s classics, including “Paranoid,” “Iron Man,” and “War Pigs.” But what made the night so moving wasn’t just the music it was seeing Ozzy take the stage, clearly in discomfort, yet pouring every ounce of energy into the performance.
“It wasn’t perfect, but it was real,” Iommi said. “He was up there, smiling through the pain, soaking in every moment. That’s what people came for. That’s what made it so powerful.”
The farewell wasn’t just a concert it was a celebration of Black Sabbath’s legacy, a return to the city where it all began, and a personal triumph for Ozzy, who had every reason to step away but refused to.
Iommi also acknowledged the absence of original drummer Bill Ward but emphasized that the spirit of the band remained strong. “We started this together, and it felt like we ended it the right way. Ozzy’s presence made it feel complete.”
Now retired from performing, Ozzy is focusing on his health and spending time with his family. Still, that final concert remains a defining moment—for him, for the band, and for the generations of fans who witnessed it.
“He could have backed out, but he didn’t,” Iommi said. “He showed the world that even when you’re hurting, if something matters enough, you find a way to stand tall. That’s who Ozzy is.”
