Ozzy Osbourne’s career came to a close on Saturday as a legendary lineup came together and entertained a jam-packed Villa Park for Back to the Beginning in scenes that will never be repeated
Three days on and the Ozzy Osbourne final show effect still hasn’t truly sank in. In what is a real end of an era, the Prince of Darkness took it back to the beginning for one last time.
It may have been the last chance for over 40,000 people to see the legendary singer, 76, front and centre where he belongs, but the day was much more than that. It was about Ozzy getting his one last hurrah, too.
The emotion in his trembling voice, the sincerity in his thank you messages, and the sparkle in his eye as his frail body took centre stage; you could see how much it meant to him to be back out there at his beloved Aston Villa’s Villa Park. And it was a moment many would never have expected after years of struggles, with his advanced Parkinson’s disease visibly limiting the rocker.
He clearly knew this was it. No more hints at a comeback. No more what ifs. This was sure to be his last send off – and he was determined to give it his all. Despite his health issues being clear from his bat-adorned chair, he was prepared to go out with a bang and leave everything on the stage that has seen him rightly idolised for over 50 decades.
After rising from beneath in the gothic throne, which also had skulls on the arm rests, he went out in style, starting with a quartet of his solo songs. After each song, you could see how much it was sapping his energy, with water and throat sprays on hand during every short break.
But that wasn’t going to stop him. Of course, it wasn’t a flawless display, but he continued to urge the crowd to get louder in his usual expletive way. And everyone packed into Villa Park duly obliged to their icon’s demands. Shouts of “come on” and “I can’t f***ing hear you” bellowed out after he had told everyone to “let the madness begin”.
Clapping, swaying, singing and his demonic face pulling was all captured perfectly on the big screen and each time the star bounced along in his chair, the screams from those watching got louder. It really was a moment for the ages – scenes that will never be witnessed or match again.
War Pigs, N.I.B, Iron Man, and Paranoid were belted out for one last time with bandmates Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler.
That’s how you go out. Under the fireworks (with a cake to match). The curtain has been called on Ozzy’s career, but he didn’t fade away under a shadow of ill health. He gave everyone one last day to remember in what had a strange sensation of a funeral and wake celebration for a loved one who is still with us.
The legends of heavy metal mixed with Hollywood royalty to provide the perfect eulogy to a game changer and trend setter in the industry. We’re talking Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Anthrax and Pantera to name just a few of the bands.
And that’s without the drum-off including Travis Barker, Chad Smith and Danny Carey.
Oh, and surprise appearances from the likes of YungBlud, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and the Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood. Chuck in Jason Momoa as compere – and surprise mosh pit goer – and it was the stuff of dreams.
With my own grandad currently facing his own health battles, seeing Ozzy do what he does best in front of so many who love him for one last time, it felt like the perfect goodbye. He certainly wasn’t the Ozzy of old, but his spirit was still there in that moment and he did everything he could to make it a memorable day for those who love him – and for the charities that will hugely benefit too from the occasion.
Thank you for the good times, Ozzy.
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