The curtain is set to fall on an era. black Sabbath, the undisputed pioneers of heavy metal, alongside their iconic frontman Ozzy Osbourne, are preparing for what is being billed as their absolute final live performance. Dubbed “Back To The Beginning,” this momentous event isn’t just another concert; it’s a historic reunion of the original Black Sabbath lineup and marks Ozzy’s definitive farewell to the stage. Set in the band’s birthplace of Birmingham, England, it promises an unforgettable day for metal fans worldwide. This guide covers everything you need to know, from who’s playing and where to watch, to the deep significance of this epic send-off.
What is “Back To The Beginning”?
“Back To The Beginning” is the official title for a landmark concert event scheduled for July 5, 2024. Its primary purpose is to serve as the final ever live show for Black Sabbath featuring all four original members: Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward. The event also represents Ozzy Osbourne’s final planned appearance as a live performer.
Held at Villa Park in Aston, Birmingham, the location holds immense significance. Villa Park is the home stadium of the Aston Villa football team, beloved by Ozzy and Geezer Butler. More importantly, Aston is where the band members grew up and where Black Sabbath first formed in 1968. Returning to this specific spot offers a powerful sense of closure, bringing their incredible journey full circle back to its humble origins. Ozzy himself has emphasized the personal importance of returning to his birthplace for this final bow, calling Birmingham the “true home of metal.”
Why is Birmingham the Only Fitting Location?
Choosing Villa Park wasn’t just about convenience; it’s deeply symbolic. The venue sits firmly within the band’s childhood neighborhood. For artists whose sound was forged in the industrial heartland of Birmingham, ending their live career here is a poignant statement. Ozzy and Geezer’s public support for Aston Villa F.C., even appearing in a kit reveal trailer, further cements the connection between the band, the city, and the chosen site for their final performance. Tony Iommi also participated in promotional photos at the stadium announcing the event.
The Historic Black Sabbath Reunion
One of the most anticipated aspects of “Back To The Beginning” is the on-stage reunion of Black Sabbath’s original four members: Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. These four musicians last played a full concert together in September 2005 during the Ozzfest tour in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Their history is storied, beginning in 1968 before Ozzy’s departure in 1979. While the classic lineup reunited briefly in 1999, they parted ways again around 2006. A planned return in 2012 saw Ward step back due to contractual disagreements. This led to the band’s extensive “The End” farewell tour from 2016-2017 featuring Osbourne, Iommi, and Butler, but with Tommy Clufetos on drums. The absence of Ward from that final tour left a sense of unfinished business for the band and fans alike.
Beyond The End Tour: Completing the Circle
Ozzy Osbourne publicly expressed that the band’s legacy felt “unfinished” because their previous farewell didn’t include Bill Ward behind the kit. This sentiment sparked discussions among the original members, leading to the idea of one final show featuring all four. The announcement in February 2024 confirmed this long-hoped-for reunion, aiming to provide a proper conclusion with every founding member present.
Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Bow
Adding another layer of emotional weight to the event, “Back To The Beginning” is also confirmed to be Ozzy Osbourne’s final live performance. The Prince of Darkness has faced significant health challenges in recent years, making continued touring impossible. This single show in his hometown offers a chance for him to say goodbye to fans and fellow musicians on his own terms.
Ozzy’s Health Challenges Explained
Ozzy’s decision to retire from extensive touring was initially announced in February 2023. This was due to a combination of factors stemming from a major accident in 2019 that severely damaged his spine, as well as his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease. He has undergone multiple surgeries, stem cell treatments, physical therapy, and experimental treatments like Cybernics (HAL) to regain strength.
Despite his singing voice remaining strong, the physical toll has been immense. His wife, Sharon Osbourne, has stated his mobility issues have worsened, impacting his ability to stand and move freely on stage. These health concerns were the primary driver behind canceling previous tours and ultimately deciding this performance in Birmingham will be his last. Tony Iommi has even suggested that Ozzy might perform while seated on a throne, similar to how other artists have adapted performances due to injury.
The “Full Stop” Purpose
According to Sharon Osbourne, the idea for this specific reunion and final show in Birmingham was born out of a desire to give Ozzy a meaningful purpose and provide a definitive “full stop” to his performing career. After his health issues forced him to pause touring indefinitely, creating this event allowed him to focus on returning to the stage one last time, surrounded by friends, family, and the city he calls home.
Who Else Is Playing? The All-Star Lineup
While the return of Black Sabbath is the main draw, “Back To The Beginning” boasts an absolutely stacked lineup of heavy metal and hard rock royalty performing throughout the day. The event is being curated to celebrate Black Sabbath’s immense influence, with many guest artists expected to perform Black Sabbath covers in addition to their own material. Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello is serving as the musical director, aiming to make it “the greatest day in the history of heavy metal.”
The Iconic Guest Artists
The list of confirmed and expected performers reads like a who’s who of the genre’s elite. Major bands playing full sets include:
Metallica
Guns N’ Roses
Slayer
Tool
Pantera
Gojira
Halestorm
Alice In Chains
Lamb Of God
Anthrax
Mastodon
Rival Sons
An official photograph released prior to the event showcased some of the artists participating, including the four members of Metallica, Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown of Pantera, Sammy Hagar, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins), David Draiman (Disturbed), Tobias Forge (Ghost), Ozzy’s long-time guitarist Zakk Wylde, and Alice In Chains bassist Mike Inez, posing alongside the original four members of Black Sabbath. This “class photo” only represented a portion of the talent expected.
The “Supergroup” & Event Hosts
In addition to individual band sets, the event will feature special collaborative performances, potentially including an all-star “supergroup.” Musicians mentioned as participating in various capacities or supergroup jams include Billy Corgan, Tom Morello, David Ellefson (ex-Megadeth), Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit), Lzzy Hale, Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Jonathan Davis (Korn), Papa V Perpetua (Ghost), Mike Bordin, and many others. Famed actor Jason Momoa (known for Aquaman and Game of Thrones) is slated to compere the day’s events.
Who Isn’t There?
Despite the massive lineup, a couple of notable absences have been mentioned. Wolfgang Van Halen, who was initially announced, had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts with his band Mammoth starting a tour the day after the event. Perhaps more noticeably for fans of Birmingham metal, Judas Priest will not be performing as a band, as they are scheduled to play elsewhere on the same day. However, founding Priest guitarist K.K. Downing, who left the band in 2011, is expected to be in attendance.
What to Expect at the Show
The “Back To The Beginning” event is planned as a full-day celebration of heavy metal and Black Sabbath’s legacy. Gates at Villa Park are expected to open around 11 am, with music performances commencing around 1 pm and continuing until an 11 pm curfew. The structure of the day will feature guest artists and bands playing sets, some reportedly including Black Sabbath covers as requested by the organizers.
The day culminates with performances from Ozzy Osbourne, followed by the highly anticipated set from the original Black Sabbath lineup. While the guest artists are expected to play multiple songs (some sources suggest 3-4 songs each), Ozzy’s participation with Black Sabbath will be more limited. Ozzy stated earlier in the year that he planned to do “bits and pieces” with the band. More recently, Tony Iommi indicated Ozzy would perform around “four songs” with Black Sabbath. This limited appearance is likely due to Ozzy’s ongoing health and mobility issues, allowing him to conserve energy for the final, pivotal moments on stage.
Getting Tickets
As expected for an event of this magnitude, securing tickets to “Back To The Beginning” proved incredibly challenging. After various pre-sales, tickets went on general sale in February 2024 and sold out almost instantaneously. Reports indicated online queues exceeding 60,000 people, with Live Nation confirming the event sold out in under 10 minutes.
Ticket Availability & Cost
Original general sale prices ranged from approximately £197.50 to £834 plus fees. With the event being completely sold out through official channels, the only possibility of attending is through resale markets. This is likely to involve significantly inflated prices; one report mentioned a fan spending over £6,000 on just two passes. Unless new tickets are unexpectedly released, the chances of attending in person are slim.
Supporting Charity Through The Event
Beyond the music, “Back To The Beginning” has a significant charitable component. All proceeds generated from the event will be split equally among three charitable organizations: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice. Acorn Children’s Hospice has a connection to Aston Villa, the home team whose stadium hosts the concert. An online auction featuring memorabilia is also being held to further support these causes.
How to Watch from Home: Live Stream Details
For the vast majority of fans who couldn’t get tickets or are located elsewhere in the world, the entire “Back To The Beginning” event is available via a global pay-per-view livestream. This provides an invaluable opportunity to witness the historic reunion and final performances from anywhere.
The livestream is scheduled to begin at 3 pm UK time sharp on July 5, 2024. It’s important to note that the stream operates on a two-hour delay from the actual start time at the venue. Livestream access can be purchased through the dedicated “Back To The Beginning” website. A standard livestream ticket costs £24.99 (or $29.99 in USD) and grants access to watch the event live as it streams, plus 48 hours of on-demand replay access following the broadcast. Fans can also purchase a bundle for £54.99 (or $64.98 USD) which includes livestream access and an exclusive event t-shirt.
Black Sabbath’s Legacy
Celebrating Black Sabbath’s legacy is a core purpose of this event. Formed in 1968, the band is widely credited with inventing and codifying the heavy metal genre. Their self-titled 1970 debut, particularly the song “Black Sabbath,” introduced darker themes, ominous tritones, and heavy, distorted sounds that became foundational to metal. While some blues-rock bands experimented with heavier sounds before them, Black Sabbath’s consistent delivery and thematic approach solidified their status as pioneers.
Pioneers of Heavy Metal
Black Sabbath’s early albums like Paranoid, Master of Reality, and Volume 4 are considered cornerstones of heavy metal, influencing countless bands across generations. Their sound combined Tony Iommi’s distinctively heavy riffs (often played on a detuned guitar), Geezer Butler’s innovative, blues-influenced basslines and dark lyrics, Bill Ward’s powerful drumming, and Ozzy Osbourne’s unique vocal delivery.
Sabbath’s Discography & Key Albums
Over their career, Black Sabbath released 19 studio albums with various lineups. While fans often debate the “best” album, their early work with Ozzy (1970-1978) is universally acclaimed. Fan favorites include the self-titled debut and Paranoid (both 1970), Master Of Reality (1971), Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973), and Sabotage (1975). Albums with Ronnie James Dio, like Heaven And Hell (1980), are also highly regarded. Their final studio album, 13, was released in 2013 and featured Iommi, Butler, and Osbourne, but not Ward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Black Sabbath’s “Back To The Beginning” Billed as the Final Show?
This event is being promoted as the absolute final live show for Black Sabbath featuring their original lineup – Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. It’s the first time these four have played together since 2005. The primary motivation, particularly for Ozzy, was to provide a proper “full stop” to the band’s live career with all founding members, addressing the sense of ‘unfinished business’ left by the previous farewell tour which excluded Bill Ward. It is also Ozzy Osbourne’s confirmed final live performance due to ongoing health issues like Parkinson’s disease and spinal damage.
How Can Fans Watch the Black Sabbath “Back To The Beginning” Concert Livestream?
Fans unable to attend in person can watch the entire “Back To The Beginning” event via a global pay-per-view livestream. The stream is available for purchase on the official “Back To The Beginning” website. It is scheduled to start streaming at 3 pm UK time on July 5, 2024, with a two-hour delay from the live venue performance. A standard livestream ticket costs £24.99 and includes 48 hours of on-demand replay access. A bundle with an exclusive t-shirt is also available for £54.99.
Which Other Bands and Artists Are Performing at the “Back To The Beginning” Event?
Beyond the original Black Sabbath lineup and Ozzy Osbourne’s solo performance, the event features an extensive bill of major heavy metal and hard rock acts. Confirmed bands playing include Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Tool, Pantera, Gojira, Halestorm, Alice In Chains, Lamb Of God, Anthrax, Mastodon, and Rival Sons. The day will also feature a “supergroup” and various collaborations with musicians like Sammy Hagar, Steven Tyler, Billy Corgan, David Draiman, Tom Morello (who is also the musical director), Jason Momoa (the compere), Zakk Wylde, and many others celebrating Black Sabbath’s legacy.
Conclusion
“Back To The Beginning” is more than just a concert; it’s a historical moment in music. It represents the culmination of a legendary career, bringing the original four members of Black Sabbath back to the stage in their hometown for one final time. Coupled with Ozzy Osbourne’s last-ever live performance, the event is charged with emotional significance. While tickets were scarce, the global livestream ensures that fans around the world can witness this epic send-off. Featuring a colossal lineup of bands paying tribute, this event is poised to be a fitting, powerful, and definitive farewell to the godfathers of heavy metal.
