Sharon Osbourne, a dominant figure in the music industry for decades and the long-time manager of Ozzy Osbourne, has officially declared her retirement from the business. Her announcement comes in the immediate wake of Ozzy’s final performance with Black Sabbath at the “Back To The Beginning” farewell concert in their hometown of Birmingham on July 5th.
Sharon, 72, who has been involved in the music world since she was 15, conveyed her decision to Billboard, stating: “I’ve been doing this since I was 15, and I’m done.” She elaborated on her desire for a quieter life, free from the demands of a relentless schedule: “We just want to live our life and do what we want to do and not have to follow an itinerary any more.”
The momentous “Back To The Beginning” event saw Ozzy Osbourne, 76, join Black Sabbath‘s other original members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward on stage at Villa Park. Despite his 2020 Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, Ozzy delivered his performance from a black winged throne, fulfilling a long-held wish.
Sharon Osbourne indicated that the entire farewell concert was orchestrated to grant Ozzy the opportunity to properly bid farewell to his devoted fanbase. “He kept saying, ‘It’s my one regret,’ and ‘I want a chance to really say thank you,’” she revealed, highlighting his personal desire for closure. “And this is what we thought would be the best way to do it. It’s a celebration of Ozzy and Sabbath and the music.”
The “Back To The Beginning” concert featured a star-studded lineup of artists, including Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Slayer, and Tool, reflecting the immense influence of Black Sabbath. The event was hosted by actor Jason Momoa, with Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello serving as musical director.
In a separate, intriguing detail, Sharon also recently alluded to a controversy surrounding the concert’s lineup. She claimed that a band had been “disinvited” from performing at the show because “they wanted to make a profit, and it’s not the time to make a profit.” While she hinted at revealing the group’s identity post-concert, stating people would “be shocked,” she has yet to name the band in question.
Speaking to Billboard, Sharon revealed: “They wanted to make a profit. And it’s not the time to make a profit. After the show, I’ll let everybody know who it was. I think people will be shocked.” This blunt statement set the stage for a post-concert revelation, adding an element of intrigue to the historic event.
