Ozzy Osbourne delivered what he says was his final live performance on 5 July, headlining the all-day “Back to the Beginning” festival at Villa Park in his hometown of Birmingham. The 76-year-old metal pioneer, who disclosed a Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2020, rose onto the stage seated on a black, bat-shaped throne and opened with a five-song solo set, telling the crowd, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Osbourne was then joined by guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward for Black Sabbath’s first full reunion in two decades. Playing “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” “N.I.B.” and a closing “Paranoid,” the founders of heavy metal formally ended a 57-year run that began a few streets away in Aston. Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello assembled an all-star supporting cast that included Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer and Tool. About 40,000 fans filled the football ground, while more than five million watched the livestream. Organisers said the event raised almost US$200 million for Cure Parkinson’s and two local children’s charities. The night also produced several off-stage milestones. Backstage, Slipknot DJ Sid Wilson proposed to Kelly Osbourne, drawing a joking protest from her father before the family celebrated the engagement. Osbourne also met Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose for the first time, calling him “an utter gentleman.” With touring behind him, Osbourne plans to publish a memoir, “Last Rites,” on 7 October. The book will chronicle his health battles, five-decade career and the preparations for the Birmingham farewell that closed the curtain on Black Sabbath’s live legacy.