Heavy metal history is about to unfold at Villa Park in Birmingham, England. On Saturday, July 5, the stage is set for “Back to the Beginning,” a monumental event billed as Ozzy Osbourne’s final live performance and, significantly, a reunion of the original black Sabbath lineup. Fans worldwide who couldn’t grab tickets can still witness this landmark occasion through a global livestream. This isn’t just a concert; it’s a farewell, a tribute, and a major charitable effort wrapped into one epic day of music.
A Historic Farewell: Why This Show Matters
For years, Ozzy Osbourne has faced significant health challenges following a major accident that damaged his spine. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019 and undergoing multiple surgeries and treatments, including stem cell therapy for a tumor on his vertebrae in May 2024, his physical strength has been severely impacted. He canceled tours in 2023, stating his body wasn’t ready. Despite these struggles, Ozzy expressed a strong desire to perform one last time to properly say “goodbye” to his loyal friends and fans.
His wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne, proposed the idea of a final gig at Villa Park in Birmingham, the industrial city northwest of London where the original Black Sabbath members were born. Ozzy personally reached out to his former bandmates, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. Thankfully, they agreed, setting the stage for this poignant farewell. While Ozzy’s health issues might mean he performs seated on a throne, similar to Axl Rose or Dave Grohl in the past, his spirit remains focused on delivering this final bow.
The Return of the Original Four
The “Back to the Beginning” event marks the first time the original four members of Black Sabbath – vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward – will share a stage since 2005. This is particularly notable because Bill Ward did not participate in the band’s previous “The End” tour, which concluded in 2017. That tour featured Tommy Clufetos on drums alongside Iommi, Butler, and Osbourne. This reunion at their birthplace adds a powerful sense of closure and historical significance, allowing the founding members to take their final bow together in the city where it all began in 1967. Black Sabbath is widely credited with defining the heavy metal genre with their early albums and iconic sound.
Beyond Sabbath: A Colossal Lineup
While the Black Sabbath reunion and Ozzy’s farewell are central, “Back to the Beginning” is a full-fledged heavy metal festival featuring a stunning array of talent. Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave) serves as the event’s music director, declaring it will be the “greatest heavy metal show ever.” The lineup is a who’s who of hard rock and metal royalty.
Attendees and viewers can expect performances from major acts like Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Tool, Pantera, Gojira, Halestorm, Alice In Chains, Lamb Of God, Anthrax, Mastodon, and Rival Sons. The day also features various all-star collaborations and appearances from renowned musicians such as Sammy Hagar, Smashing Pumpkins co-founder Billy Corgan, Jake E. Lee (former Ozzy guitarist who has recovered from a recent incident), Papa V Perpetua (Ghost), Zakk Wylde (long-time Ozzy guitarist), and members of Anthrax (Frank Bello, Scott Ian), Faith No More (Mike Bordin), Disturbed (David Draiman), Limp Bizkit (Fred Durst), Halestorm (Lzzy Hale), Guns N’ Roses (Duff McKagan, Slash), and many more. Actor Jason Momoa is set to compere the event, adding another layer of star power. Many of these incredible artists will perform their own hits alongside special tribute covers of Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne classics, celebrating the profound impact the headliners have had on the genre.
How to Witness “Back to the Beginning” Via Stream
Recognizing the immense global interest and the limited capacity of Villa Park (tickets reportedly sold out in under 10 minutes, leading to high resale prices), organizers announced a global livestream option in June. Presented by Mercury Studios and Kiswe, this pay-per-view broadcast allows fans worldwide to experience the entire day of music.
Crucially, the online broadcast is not truly live. Organizers implemented a two-hour delay from the in-arena start time. The concert begins at Villa Park at 1 pm BST, with the official stream scheduled to start at 3 pm BST on Saturday, July 5. This delay was explained as a way for global fans to experience the event comfortably.
Stream Options and Costs
To access the “Back to the Beginning” stream, viewers can visit backtothebeginning.com or potentially other platform partners. The platform is expected to open about 30 minutes before the scheduled stream start time.
Here are the purchase options provided:
Livestream Ticket: Priced at $29.99 (or £24.99, with additional fees bringing the UK total to £33.59). This grants access to the delayed live viewing of the entire day’s event.
Livestream and T-shirt Bundle: Available for $64.98 (or £54.99 with fees). This includes the livestream access plus an exclusive “Back to the Beginning” event T-shirt.
Both options provide access to the full program for on-demand rewatching for 48 hours after the initial broadcast concludes, allowing fans to relive the historic moments.
More Than Music: Supporting Vital Causes
Beyond the music and the farewells, “Back to the Beginning” serves a significant charitable purpose. All proceeds generated from the event – including ticket sales, livestream purchases, and a related online auction – are dedicated to supporting three incredibly worthy causes.
These charities are Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice. Supporting these organizations adds a deeply meaningful layer to the event, turning a celebration of heavy metal into a force for good, particularly poignant given Ozzy’s own struggles with Parkinson’s disease.
An online auction is also running to further benefit these charities. Items up for bid include highly desirable rock memorabilia such as two Gibson guitars signed by performers at the event, a Guns N’ Roses pinball machine, several gold record and CD displays featuring iconic albums like Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid,” Led Zeppelin’s “Physical Graffiti,” and Metallica’s “Master of Puppets,” plus numerous travel packages, including a week’s stay in Barbados.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this Black Sabbath & Ozzy Osbourne concert considered a historic event?
This concert is highly significant for multiple reasons. It is billed as the final live performance for legendary frontman Ozzy Osbourne, who is retiring due to ongoing health issues. It also features the first reunion performance in 20 years of the original Black Sabbath lineup (Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward), offering a true farewell in their hometown of Birmingham.
Where can I purchase the official livestream for the Back to the Beginning show?
The official livestream can be purchased online via the event’s dedicated website, backtothebeginning.com. It is being presented in partnership with Mercury Studios and Kiswe. Access is granted upon payment for either the standard livestream ticket or the bundle package.
What are the livestream options and key details like cost and timing?
The livestream offers two main options: a livestream ticket ($29.99 USD / £24.99 GBP + fees) or a bundle including the livestream and a T-shirt ($64.98 USD / £54.99 GBP + fees). The stream is delayed by two hours from the in-arena start time. It is scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm BST (UK time) on July 5th, translating to 10:00 am EDT and 7:00 am PDT, with 48-hour on-demand replay included.
Conclusion
“Back to the Beginning” stands as a monumental occasion in heavy metal history. It’s a final, emotional goodbye from one of the genre’s most iconic figures, Ozzy Osbourne, and a rare reunion of the foundational band he fronted, Black Sabbath, in their spiritual home. With a stacked lineup paying tribute to their legacy and all proceeds supporting vital charities, the event transcends a typical concert. Thanks to the global livestream, fans everywhere have the chance to witness this unforgettable day and be part of the ultimate farewell from the Prince of Darkness and the pioneers of heavy metal.
