Ozzy Osbourne has graced the Villa Park stage for his final ever live performance – at the Black Sabbath Back to the Beginning gig tonight.
The Prince of Darkness has taken to the stage, after a day-long gig, for his goodbye show – and it’s a moment the crowd has been waiting for.
He rose from beneath the stage on a black winged throne, leading to screams from the crowds.
Our reporter Kirsty Bosley is at the gig and said: “Ozzy looks emotional and the crowd is too. His body might be frail but his voice is NOT.
“He’s stopping to drink water and spray his mouth between songs but he’s incredible.
Ozzy Osbourne on his black winged throne
“The crowd is at his feet and he’s wild eyed and determined!
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“Mr Crowley in particular got a giant sing-along. I haven’t felt energy like this before at a gig.
“It’s like everyone in Birmingham is pushing their energy into the Prince of Darkness and he’s throwing it right back.
“This is where he belongs. This is where he has lived and where he will always live: under the lights with his people.
Ozzy Osbourne on stage at Villa Park
“What’s more, if the other performers tonight are proof of anything, it’s that the power of Ozzy and of Black Sabbath live on through them, and heavy metal musicians all around the world.
“Few things are eternal, but Ozzy Osbourne is!”
Our reporter Robson McCallister is also in the crowd tonight. He said: “From intro to the intermissions, he’s keeping it short and sweet but his performance remains unmissable. He’s still giving one hundred percent to what he can.
Ozzy with his lead guitarist for many Zakk Wylde
“The phone cameras are lighting up like fireflies for Ozzy’s farewell set, nobody wants to forget a moment as history is made.
“Ozzy is joined on stage by his lead guitarist for many years Zakk Wylde. It wouldn’t be a farewell show without Wylde’s inclusion”
Kirsty added: “Torch lights up across the arena for Mama I’m Comin Home, tears, snuggles. Sharon has said in the past this was one of her favourite songs. I wonder how she feels in this moment.”
At the end she said: “Man that was the BEST set.
“After the tears of Mama, we got Crazy Train, pure celebration! Ozzy couldn’t have looked happier, he grinned from ear to ear any time his clap inspired 40k other claps, any time he raised his arms and got 40k screams!
“It was incredible. Ticker tape cannons for a celebratory finish. What a superb time. We couldn’t have asked for more. Time hasn’t taken his spirit, his sense of humour or his determination to entertain and put on a show.
“This will surely give him the renewed energy he needs. But I don’t feel he needs it. He isn’t ailing, he’s ROCKING THE F*****G PLACE.”
Don’t miss our glossy Black Sabbath – End of an Era magazine celebrating their final show! Read more here.
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