On July 5, 2025, the city of Birmingham witnessed a farewell for the ages. Fans, fellow musicians, and icons across genres gathered at Villa Park Stadium—Ozzy Osbourne’s hometown and the birthplace of heavy metal—for “Back to the Beginning,” a charity concert that would become both his last live show and a monumental philanthropic achievement.

But amid thunderous guitars, tear-streaked faces, and historic reunion sets, the most unexpected moment came from the Queen of Country herself—Dolly Parton, delivering a warm, heartfelt tribute that transformed grief into celebration.

A Homecoming Unlike Any Other

The concert, held on July 5 at Aston Villa’s Villa Park, marked the first live performance in two decades by the original Black Sabbath lineup: Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. Curated by guitarist Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, who aimed to deliver “the greatest heavy metal show ever”, the event drew 42,000 to 45,000 fans in person and an estimated 5.8 million pay-per-view viewers globally.

This was more than a concert—it was a homecoming, a reckoning, and a definitive closing chapter for one of music’s most electrifying stories.

Dolly Parton’s Unexpected Elegy to the Prince of Darkness

In the midst of soaring riffs and platinum-selling performances, a pre-recorded video message emerged that caught the audience off guard—and broke their hearts in the gentlest way.

“Well, Ozzy Osbourne, it’s Dolly Parton here,” she began.
“Are we supposed to be saying farewell to you? I don’t think so. How about we just say, ‘Good luck, God bless you, and we’ll see you somewhere down the road.’”

The camera cut to Osbourne seated onstage, listening.

“I love you—always have—and we’re going to miss you up on stage. But if you show up somewhere else… I’ll be there. Love you!”

The modest message carried the weight of two legends honoring each other—and left thousands moved in silent reflection.

The Night of Seven-Course Rock: Setlist, Reunion, Emotion

Ozzy’s solo set began with a pre-recorded version of “O Fortuna,” followed by a blistering live deliverance of classics like “I Don’t Know,” “Mr. Crowley,” “Suicide Solution,” “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” and “Crazy Train”—all performed seated due to advanced Parkinson’s disease.

The emotional apex came during “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” Vision of Ozzy, voice frail but fierce, battling tears—fans described it as a collective emotional release.

Then, Black Sabbath entered for the first time in nearly 20 years. “War Pigs,” “N.I.B.,” “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid” thundered through the stadium, finishing with pyro, confetti, and fans chanting Ozzy’s name as lights faded.

Even at 76 and visibly frail, Ozzy insisted that this performance not be about pity or weakness. As his biographer later reflected, he saw it as a celebratory farewell—not a tragic fall.

A Record-Breaking Benefit: Music Meets Mission

This was the highest-grossing charity concert in history. Proceeds—topping $190 million—were equally distributed among Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice. Past legends like Live Aid ($100M) and Farm Aid ($80M) were eclipsed by this farewell performance.

Funds poured in via ticket sales, livestream donations, charity auctions, branded merchandise, and VIP packages—a global outpouring of support for causes Ozzy had long championed.

Voices Joined in Tribute: Rock Royalty Gather

Hosted by actor Jason Momoa—a noted Sabbath fan—the show featured tribute sets from some of heavy metal’s largest names: Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Anthrax, Slayer, Pantera, Alice in Chains, Mastodon, Halestorm, and more.

Notable guest appearances included supergroups with Steven Tyler, Billy Corgan, Slash, Tom Morello, Fred Durst, and others delivering collaborative Sabbath covers with electric energy.

Tom Morello himself served as musical director and took part onstage during several performances, speaking afterward about the power, unity, and purpose of the event.

More Than Music: Reflection, Legacy, and Loss

Just 17 days later, on July 22, 2025, Ozzy Osbourne passed away—surrounded by family, his legacy sealed by one final show. That makes the concert more than symbolic—it stands as a final testament to his resilience, strength, and love for his fans.

His biographer Daniel Bukszpan described the event as a “living wake,” noting that Ozzy refused pity or dramatics, choosing instead authenticity and heartfelt thanks.

Ozzy’s final wish, as expressed onstage and echoed afterward, was not for grief but for endurance—to be remembered not just for music but for survival in the face of adversity.

Timeline Snapshot

Date
Milestone

Feb 5, 2025
Final show announced: Back to the Beginning

Feb–Jul
Supergroup lineup confirmed; rehearsals begin

Jul 5, 2025
Farewell concert at Villa Park, Birmingham

Jul 5–6, 2025
Dolly Parton, Elton John tribute videos air

Jul 22, 2025
Ozzy Osbourne passes at age 76

Why This Moment Still Resonates

Cross-genre respect: Dolly Parton’s message emphasized that admiration between icons transcends musical boundaries. Country and metal found communion in compassion.

Legacy meets philanthropy: Ozzy used his final show not for spectacle, but to support causes he cared deeply about.

Strength in vulnerability: Parkinson’s didn’t silence him—it accompanied one of his most memorable onstage performances, magnified by his refusal to quit.

Final act as affirmation: Rather than fade away, Ozzy O persevered on stage—celebrating his life in front of his hometown.

Epilogue: The Final Note Never Fades

Ozzy Osbourne’s final bow at Villa Park was more than rock history. It was redemption through performance. A farewell delivered under electric skies, with friends, city, and family beside him.

He didn’t ride off into silence quietly—he roared one final time, for charity, for legacy, for fans around the globe. And in that roar lived his lasting defiance: that even as the lights dimmed on stage, the music he inspired would never truly die.

When Dolly Parton’s video played, it turned grief into gratitude. When the band stood together one more time, it healed old wounds. When Tom Morello directed the chaos into cohesion, the concert became a mission.

The applause faded. The stadium cleared. But Ozzy’s echo lives on.

Because when he said “I love you. Forever,” beneath that thunderous sound, he meant it.