Ozzy Osbourne fans have been left feeling ‘conflicted’ after watching the rock star’s final performance with Black Sabbath in Birmingham amid his ongoing health battles
Ozzy Osbourne fans have been left divided over the legendary rocker’s final performance this evening. Ozzy, 76, took to the stage in Birmingham on a throne to perform five songs during Black Sabbath’s Back to the Beginning farewell gig in his hometown.
But some fans watching in the crowd and on the live stream were left feeling uneasy over seeing their idol perform amid his multiple health battles.
Ozzy’s fans have declared it is an end of an era as he performs his final show. His health issues became clear to fans as they helped him get through the set.
It left Rakkan, from Saudi Arabia but travelled from London, saying: “I’m conflicted. He’s obviously enjoying himself but it’s sad to see him in this physical state. It feels like an end of an era.”
READ MORE: Black Sabbath LIVE: Ozzy Osbourne makes four-word comment as he appears for final time
Over on Twitter, one fan wrote: “Feel a bit sorry for Ozzy being wheeled out like that. He clearly isn’t fit and well.” “I feel bad for Ozzy. Yeah it’s his last ever live show but it’s kinda gross how a visibly unwell man is being wheeled out like this by Sharon,” another mused.
A third wrote: “Very sad, Ozzy in a goth wheel chair.” However, some loved it. “As much as I am against this final Ozzy Osbourne/Black Sabbath show, the videos I’ve seen on Twitter and Youtube, Ozzy sounds a lot better than I expected,” one declared online.
Ozzy had warned fans last month that he “may be sitting down” for his final performance at Villa Park because of health problems as Black Sabbath were awarded the freedom of Birmingham.
Founding members of the heavy metal band – formed in the city in 1968 – were presented with scrolls and medals at a ceremony at the weekend.
Terence “Geezer” Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne and Bill Ward were recognised for their significance to the cultural and musical identity of Birmingham and as pioneers of heavy metal in the city and beyond.
The band recorded eight albums selling more than 75 million copies worldwide, and are preparing for their Back To The Beginning farewell show on July 5.
Ozzy said as he collected the honour that the reunion concert was conceived by his wife Sharon. The band were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, awarded a Lifetime Ivor Novello Songwriting Award in 2015 and presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
Speaking at the freedom of the city ceremony, Osbourne said: “I first put an advert in a music store in town. If these guys hadn’t come to my door, I wouldn’t be sitting here now.
“It seems to have flown by so quickly. It’s amazing. I think about my dad, who went into debt to buy me a microphone. If only he could be here now. I think he would be very proud. I’m a Brummie and I always will be a Brummie. Birmingham forever!”
Butler said: “This is a great working class city, and we’re all working class, from Aston. We weren’t given a chance when we started out, but Birmingham has always been behind us. People used to make fun of our accents, but we’re all proud Birmingham people and we love this city. It’s one of the greatest cities ever, it’s given the world so much and we’re proud to be here.”
Iommi added: “It’s a great thing to receive. Birmingham is our home, and we love what Birmingham has done for us. We’ve got the bridge and the bench, things like that. We’re very grateful.”
Ward said: “It’s completely overwhelming. I’m so proud to be an Astonian. That’s where I got my attitude.
“I was blessed – and cursed! – to meet Tony when I was 15, and I’m so proud that I got to know Geezer and Ozzy . They’re my brothers. I love them very much and we love our city very much.”
Each band member received the title of honorary freeman, and an engraving of their names on the Freedom of the City marble board was unveiled at the ceremony.
The scrolls were produced by local company Hilton Studios and the medals were produced by Jewellery Quarter-based business Fattorini.
The medal was designed by competition winner Toby Williams, a student at the School of Jewellery at Birmingham City University.
The rockers already have a bridge named after them in the city as a permanent tribute to their accomplishments.