Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler shared a heartfelt reflection on Ozzy Osbourne’s final performance at the “Back to the Beginning” concert on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, just weeks before Osbourne’s death on July 22, 2025, at age 76. In an essay for The Sunday Times, Butler described being shocked by Osbourne’s frail condition during rehearsals, noting that he required assistance from two helpers and a nurse, used a black cane studded with gold and precious stones, and sang while seated due to exhaustion after six or seven songs. Despite his health struggles, including Parkinson’s disease, Osbourne performed a solo set and joined original bandmates Butler, Tony Iommi, and Bill Ward for a four-song Black Sabbath set, including hits like “Paranoid” and “Iron Man.” Butler recalled the emotional weight of the show’s end, where the band couldn’t share their usual group hug due to Osbourne’s condition, with Butler presenting him a cake instead. He expressed gratitude for the chance to perform one last time with his friend of 57 years, calling Osbourne the “Prince of Laughter” and reflecting on their shared history from forming Black Sabbath in 1968. The concert, attended by over 40,000 fans and livestreamed to 5.8 million, featured tributes from artists like Metallica and Guns N’ Roses, celebrating Osbourne’s legacy as a heavy metal pioneer.
