by Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Ride: Crazy Train Closes Out “Back to the Beginning” at Villa Park
On July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham, Ozzy Osbourne returned to the city that made him. In what would become his final live performance,
the legendary frontman delivered an emotional solo set capped by “Crazy Train”, closing a career that defined heavy metal itself.
👑 Hometown Homecoming — and Final Bow
After 20 years apart, the original lineup of Black Sabbath—Ozzy, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—reunited one last time for a massive charity show titled “Back to the Beginning.” The event, hosted by Live Nation and directed musically by Tom Morello, was staged at Ozzy’s beloved Villa Park and became an instant rock legend moment.
In front of over 40,000 fans and 5.8 million livestream viewers, the concert transcended nostalgia—it became a reckoning. The band performed Sabbath classics like “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” “N.I.B.,” and “Paranoid.”
Solo Set: A Final Testimony
Ozzy’s solo performance included a five‑song set—“I Don’t Know,” “Mr. Crowley,” “Suicide Solution,” “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” and “Crazy Train.” The setlist was his first full solo performance since 2018. He performed seated on a custom black throne—his stage designed to look like a bat-winged throne—due to his battle with Parkinson’s disease.
His voice was still unmistakable—commanding yet fragile, especially moving during “Mama, I’m Coming Home”, which had the stadium singing, crying, and embracing in unison.
Crazy Train: A Final Anthem for the Ages
When Ozzy took on “Crazy Train,” backed by longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde, bassist Mike Inez, drummer Tommy Clufetos, and keyboardist Adam Wakeman, the energy soared. Confetti cannons erupted, the crowd roared, and the moment felt like both an uproar and a farewell.
As the last note faded, Ozzy lingered in that remarkable roar—a symbolic goodbye from the man who transformed chaos into catharsis.
The Heartfelt Farewell and Legacy
Just 17 days later, on July 22, 2025, Ozzy passed away at age 76. His final public performance in Birmingham had become his farewell gesture to his hometown and fans worldwide.
Despite years of health struggles, surgeries, and global fame, Ozzy remained authentic—“Prince of Darkness” to the masses, but the “Prince of Laughter” to his friends. Even bandmate Geezer Butler called him a beacon of loyalty and humor.
A Legacy Lit Up, Not Extinguished
Ozzy may have called himself the Prince of Darkness, but at Villa Park, he illuminated more than the stage: he illuminated what it means to endure, to rebel, and to heal—through voice, melody, and spirit. His “Crazy Train” ride ended not in despair but in defiance—a bold farewell to a life lived raw and loud
