The music icon said an emotional goodbye to fans after the end of Black Sabbath’s Villa Park gig earlier this month
Ozzy Osbourne has died aged 76(Image: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Live Nation)
Ozzy Osbourne has died aged 76 just weeks after he performed in his hometown of Birmingham. The farewell gig at Villa Park saw the group perform in front of 40,000 fans for the last time.
Earlier this month Osbourne shared an emotional message to the crowd at the Black Sabbath reunion, telling thousands of heavy metal fans at Villa Park– a stone’s throw from where Black Sabbath was formed in 1968 – that it was “so good to be on this stage” as he performed his last set from a large black throne.
Osbourne and his fellow original Black Sabbath members – Tony Iommi, Terence “Geezer” Butler and Bill Ward – were the last to appear on stage as part of a star-studded line-up for the Back to the Beginning concert.
His final post on social media saw Osbourne pay tribute to the band’s final performance as he shared a photograph of the Back to the Beginning: The Final Show show poster outside of his dressing room door.
He didn’t write a caption on the post, but fans were quick to flood the comments with their support following the legendary performance earlier this month.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
While on stage at Villa Park, Osbourne told thousands of heavy metal fans “you have no idea how I feel” as he stopped to take in the atmosphere at the incredible show.
In an emotional moment, the legendary rocker said: “I don’t know what to say, man, I’ve been laid up for like six years. You have no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
The historic gig was the first time the original Sabbath line-up had played together for the first time in 20 years. Among the bands performing were Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N’Roses, and there were messages of thanks from other celebrities, including Jack Black, Ricky Gervais and Dolly Parton.
Sharon Osbourne has issued a joint family message with Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis(Image: PA)
As frontman of Black Sabbath, Ozzy was at the forefront of the heavy metal scene. Ozzy was born John Michael Osbourne on December 3 1948 in Aston, Birmingham. He has been married to Sharon Osbourne since 1982 and they shared three children together, Jack, Kelly and Aimee.
The family issued a heartbreaking message to confirm the devastating news of his death. The statement said: “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning.
“He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis.”
It has recently been confirmed that Back To The Beginning: Ozzy’s Final Bow will be released on the big screen. A post on Instagram confirmed the theatrical release.
It said: “Presented as a love letter to Ozzy and the pioneering sound of Black Sabbath, the theatrical release will be a distilled version of the epic all-day event held at Villa Park.
“Featuring thunderous performances of War Pigs, Iron Man, and a show-stopping Paranoid, the film promises a deeply personal and electrifying farewell from the godfather of heavy metal with exclusive behind-the-scenes access and interviews from this iconic live performance.”