The recent passing of Ozzy Osbourne on July 22, 2025, has deeply impacted the music world, prompting heartfelt tributes from across the globe. Among the most poignant reflections is an article penned by Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler for U.K.’s The Sunday Times, where he shared his intimate perspective on Ozzy’s final stage appearance with his longtime bandmates.
On July 5, just over two weeks before his death at 76, Ozzy Osbourne reunited with Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, and Bill Ward—the original members of Black Sabbath—for the monumental “Back To The Beginning” concert. This event, held at Villa Park in Birmingham, Black Sabbath’s hometown, was billed as both the band’s ultimate live performance and Ozzy’s last-ever show.
Butler’s account in The Sunday Times provides a candid glimpse into the rehearsals leading up to this historic event. He described his shock at Ozzy’s physical state: “I knew he wasn’t in good health, but I wasn’t prepared to see how frail he was. He was helped into the rehearsal room by two helpers and a nurse and was using a cane — being Ozzy, the cane was black and studded with gold and precious stones. He didn’t really say much beyond the usual greetings and when he sang, he sat in a chair. We ran through the songs but we could see it was exhausting him after six or seven songs. We had a bit of a chat, but he was really quiet compared with the Ozzy of old.” This poignant observation underscores the challenges Ozzy faced while still demonstrating his unwavering dedication to performing.
Despite his frail health, Ozzy Osbourne, alongside Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, delivered a powerful four-song set to more than 40,000 enthusiastic fans at Villa Park, with an additional 5.8 million watching via livestream. Ozzy also performed a five-song solo set from a bat-adorned throne, a testament to his enduring stage presence.
The “Back To The Beginning” concert, hosted by actor Jason Momoa, was a star-studded affair that celebrated heavy metal music and its pioneers. The lineup featured an array of iconic bands including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Tool, Pantera, Gojira, Alice In Chains, Halestorm, Lamb Of God, Anthrax, Mastodon, and Rival Sons, all paying homage to Black Sabbath and Ozzy.
Reflecting on Ozzy’s final performance, Geezer wrote in The Sunday Times: “Nobody knew he’d be gone from us little more than two weeks after the final show. But I am so grateful we got to play one last time together in front of his beloved fans. The love from the fans and all the bands, musicians, singers and solo artists that night was incredible. Everyone had come to pay homage to the Prince. I am so privileged to have spent most of my life with him. Of course there are millions of things I will think of that I should have written, but how can I sum up 57 incredible years of friendship in a few paragraphs? God bless, Oz, it has been one hell of a ride! Love you!”
Ozzy Osbourne’s family officially announced his passing on Tuesday morning, July 22. Their statement conveyed deep sadness: “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.” While a cause of death was not explicitly given, Ozzy had publicly battled numerous health issues in recent years, including Parkinson’s disease and injuries from a fall in 2019.
On the day of Ozzy’s death, Geezer Butler also shared a poignant tribute on social media, emphasizing their long-standing friendship: “Goodbye dear friend- thanks for all those years- we had some great fun, 4 kids from Aston- who’d have thought, eh? So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.”
