Black Sabbath played their final concert titled “Back to the Beginning” in Birmingham, England. The lineup featured the original members: Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass), and Bill Ward (drums)
Momoa Goes Full Metal
What began as a fan’s dream rapidly escalated into hosting duties. Jason Momoa had initially been “begging for tickets” when Ozzy’s wife, Sharon, personally invited him to emcee the fest. In a pre-show interview, Momoa described the event as “the greatest metal show in history,” and admitted he’d be “shitting my pants,” but thrilled to participate. His passion wasn’t performance-only – at one point, he climbed over the barricade to leap into a circle pit during Pantera’s renditions of “Cowboys from Hell” and “Walk”
Star-Studded Lineup and Charity Drive
The concert drew around 45,000 attendees and was also livestreamed via pay-per-view, with viewership peaking at over 5.8 million. A diverse lineup of metal legends performed, including Metallica, Slayer, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Pantera, Gojira, Alice in Chains, Lamb of God, Anthrax, Mastodon—and even surprise supergroups led by Tom Morello and others. Experts ensured the show went far beyond nostalgia: all proceeds, totaling approximately £140 million, were directed to Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice
Ozzy’s Emotional Farewell
Now in his late 70s and battling advanced Parkinson’s disease, Ozzy performed seated on a throne and delivered a heartfelt solo segment featuring tracks like “Crazy Train” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home”. He later reunited with Sabbath for a bang-up four-song finale — including “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid”. Health limitations meant Ozzy sang sparingly, but his gratitude to fans and bandmates radiated throughout.
Production Highlights and Iconic Moments
Tom Morello served as musical director, ensuring the show flowed seamlessly . The stage featured a clever revolving design, enabling transitions across an 11‑hour show that featured two “supergroup” sets and even a drum-off. Jason Momoa’s mosh‑pit moment became instantly iconic. One fan captured it best online:
“Are you telling me I was breathing the same oxygen as JASON MOMOA?????”
Cultural Impact & Final Thoughts
Critics praised the event: publications like The Independent, Rolling Stone, and The Guardian rated it between four and five stars, highlighting shows by Sabbath themselves, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Gojira, and pop‑punk cover acts like Yungblud More than a concert, “Back to the Beginning” served as a transformative celebration of heavy metal, community, and charity — a meaningful close to Sabbath’s career while giving back \— all sworn by Momoa’s authentic passion and Ozzy’s emotional resilience.
Conclusion: A Fitting Farewell to the Fathers of Metal
Black Sabbath’s final concert was more than just a music event—it was a historic cultural moment. With Ozzy Osbourne delivering a heartfelt goodbye, Jason Momoa’s raw energy igniting the crowd, and a lineup of rock legends paying tribute, “Back to the Beginning” truly lived up to its name. It honored not only the band’s incredible legacy but also the global metal community that grew from their influence. The evening blended music, memory, and meaning—closing the curtain on a half-century of heavy metal with power, passion, and unforgettable emotion.
