Ozzy Osbourne, despite ongoing health concerns, is determined to perform at what is being billed as his final concert. The event, “Back to the Beginning,” will feature the original lineup of Black Sabbath at Villa Park in Birmingham.

osbourne, along with his bandmates, addressed the upcoming performance, stating:

I’ll be there, and I’ll do the best I can. So all I can do is turn up.

All-Star Support and Frontman Concerns

The concert boasts an notable supporting lineup, including metal giants Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax. Though, Maynard james Keenan, frontman of Tool, another supporting act, has voiced concerns about Osbourne’s ability to perform.

I’m cautious about saying, ‘Yeah! All in, he’s gonna do it,’ I don’t know what kind of modern miracles we’ll come up with to get him on stage to do the songs, but this is gonna be a challenge for them. So, I’m honoured to be a part of it, but I’m kinda preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best.
Maynard James Keenan, Tool Frontman

Osbourne’s Health Battles

Osbourne has faced numerous health challenges in recent years:

• A 2019 fall exacerbated a previous spinal injury, requiring multiple surgeries.
• Battles with pneumonia and a persistent infection.
• Diagnosis of a form of Parkinson’s disease.

Osbourne acknowledged the psychological impact of his health struggles:

You wake up the next morning and find that something else has gone wrong. You begin to think this is never going to end.

He revealed that the reunion concert was his wife Sharon’s idea, designed as something to give me a reason to get up in the morning.

A Reunion 20 Years in the Making

“Back to the Beginning” marks the first reunion of osbourne with original Black Sabbath members tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward in 20 years. Formed in 1968, Black Sabbath’s heavy sound and Osbourne’s distinctive vocals pioneered the heavy metal genre, resulting in iconic albums like “Paranoid” and “Master of Reality.”

Osbourne left the band in 1979 but returned in 1997. The classic lineup performed together until 2005, continuing without Ward for subsequent tours and their final studio album, “13,” in 2013.

Readiness and Performance Expectations

Osbourne detailed his rigorous preparation for the concert:

I do weights, bike riding, I’ve got a guy living at my house who’s working with me. It’s tough – I’ve been laid up for such a long time.I’ve been lying on my back doing nothing and the first thing to go is your strength. It’s like starting all over again. I’ve got a vocal coach coming round four days a week to keep my voice going. I have problems walking. I also get blood pressure issues, from blood clots on my legs. I’m used to doing two hours on stage, jumping and running around. I don’t think I’ll be doing much jumping or running around this time. I may be sitting down.

He clarified that the performance will not be a full set:

We’re only playing a couple of songs each. I don’t want people thinking ‘we’re getting ripped off’, because it’s just going to be … what’s the word? … a sample, you’re going to get a few songs each by Ozzy and Sabbath.

Beyond the Music

The other Black Sabbath members will discuss their reasons for returning in the interview. Sharon Osbourne will also share details about her and Ozzy’s retirement plans.

Concert Details and Charitable Cause

The “Back to the Beginning” concert is scheduled for July 5 and will raise funds for three charities:

• Cure Parkinson’s
• Birmingham Children’s Hospital
• Acorns Children’s Hospice (Birmingham-based)