Tom Morello Reflects on Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Black Sabbath Show and Bittersweet Farewell
Kai Montgomery here, your reluctant narrator of rock ‘n’ roll nostalgia, because apparently, someone has to do it.
Oh, sure, another farewell concert. Groundbreaking. But when that final performance turns out to be the literal last time a legend steps on stage before passing away? That’s not just a show—it’s a swan song with an exclamation mark.
Rocker Tom Morello recently offered a sobering reflection on what turned out to be Ozzy Osbourne’s final appearance with Black Sabbath during the Back to the Beginning benefit concert in Birmingham, England. The event took place on July 5—and less than three weeks later, on July 22, the Prince of Darkness was gone at age 76.
Morello, who served as musical director for the event alongside Sharon Osbourne, described the concert as “the greatest day in the history of heavy metal.” And honestly, if you’re going to go out, doing “Paranoid” and “Crazy Train” in front of thousands while seated on a black throne isn’t a bad way to do it.
Osbourne performed five solo songs before being joined by his former Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Bill Ward, and Geezer Butler for four more tracks. According to Morello, the night felt spiritually significant—not just for the fans in attendance but for the global metal community watching from afar.
“He had been frail for a while,” Morello admitted, “but friends of mine saw him a week later. He was at another event in Birmingham a week later.” Still, something about the concert felt different—like Ozzy himself knew it might be his last hurrah.
And let’s be real, after decades of living life on the edge, defying death more times than most medical textbooks would allow, it was almost poetic that he got one last shot at glory before calling it quits.
Osbourne’s death certificate, obtained by The Sun, listed multiple causes including cardiac arrest, acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and Parkinson’s disease—the latter of which he publicly disclosed in 2020.
His funeral took place on July 31 near the lake at his Buckinghamshire estate. Around 110 people attended the private ceremony, including longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde, who led the procession. A day earlier, thousands lined the streets of Birmingham to pay their respects, with Sharon Osbourne and their children Kelly, Jack, Aimee, and Louis in attendance.
Pictures of Ozzy were placed throughout the venue, and each guest received a photo to take home—a touching, personal touch for a man whose public persona often overshadowed his deeply loyal fanbase and family ties.
Looking back, Osbourne himself seemed aware of the legacy he’d leave behind. In a 2018 interview with The Guardian, he said, “I’d like to be remembered for the work I did with Black Sabbath. I’m so proud of the music. But to be honest, just being remembered would be an achievement to me.”
Well, Ozzy, mission accomplished. You may have left us, but you won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
So, did he know? Maybe. Did he deserve a better send-off? No such thing exists. If anything, this proves that even legends can exit with dignity—and a killer encore.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, The Sun, The Guardian
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