Archive July 5, 2025

Ozzy Osbourne fans have been left feeling ‘conflicted’ after watching the rock star’s final performance with Black Sabbath in Birmingham amid his ongoing health battles

Ozzy Osbourne fans have been left divided over the legendary rocker’s final performance this evening. Ozzy, 76, took to the stage in Birmingham on a throne to perform five songs during Black Sabbath’s Back to the Beginning farewell gig in his hometown.

But some fans watching in the crowd and on the live stream were left feeling uneasy over seeing their idol perform amid his multiple health battles.

Ozzy’s fans have declared it is an end of an era as he performs his final show. His health issues became clear to fans as they helped him get through the set.

It left Rakkan, from Saudi Arabia but travelled from London, saying: “I’m conflicted. He’s obviously enjoying himself but it’s sad to see him in this physical state. It feels like an end of an era. “

READ MORE: Black Sabbath LIVE: Ozzy Osbourne makes four-word comment as he appears for final time

Over on Twitter, one fan wrote: “Feel a bit sorry for Ozzy being wheeled out like that. He clearly isn’t fit and well.” “I feel bad for Ozzy. Yeah it’s his last ever live show but it’s kinda gross how a visibly unwell man is being wheeled out like this by Sharon,” another mused.

A third wrote: “Very sad, Ozzy in a goth wheel chair.” However, some loved it. “As much as I am against this final Ozzy Osbourne/Black Sabbath show, the videos I’ve seen on Twitter and Youtube, Ozzy sounds a lot better than I expected,” one declared online.

Ozzy had warned fans last month that he “may be sitting down” for his final performance at Villa Park because of health problems as Black Sabbath were awarded the freedom of Birmingham.

Founding members of the heavy metal band – formed in the city in 1968 – were presented with scrolls and medals at a ceremony at the weekend.

Terence “Geezer” Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne and Bill Ward were recognised for their significance to the cultural and musical identity of Birmingham and as pioneers of heavy metal in the city and beyond.

The band recorded eight albums selling more than 75 million copies worldwide, and are preparing for their Back To The Beginning farewell show on July 5.

Ozzy said as he collected the honour that the reunion concert was conceived by his wife Sharon. The band were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, awarded a Lifetime Ivor Novello Songwriting Award in 2015 and presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.

Speaking at the freedom of the city ceremony, Osbourne said: “I first put an advert in a music store in town. If these guys hadn’t come to my door, I wouldn’t be sitting here now.

“It seems to have flown by so quickly. It’s amazing. I think about my dad, who went into debt to buy me a microphone. If only he could be here now. I think he would be very proud. I’m a Brummie and I always will be a Brummie. Birmingham forever! “

Butler said: “This is a great working class city, and we’re all working class, from Aston. We weren’t given a chance when we started out, but Birmingham has always been behind us. People used to make fun of our accents, but we’re all proud Birmingham people and we love this city. It’s one of the greatest cities ever, it’s given the world so much and we’re proud to be here.”

Iommi added: “It’s a great thing to receive. Birmingham is our home, and we love what Birmingham has done for us. We’ve got the bridge and the bench, things like that. We’re very grateful. ”

Ward said: “It’s completely overwhelming. I’m so proud to be an Astonian. That’s where I got my attitude.

“I was blessed – and cursed! – to meet Tony when I was 15, and I’m so proud that I got to know Geezer and Ozzy . They’re my brothers. I love them very much and we love our city very much. ”

Each band member received the title of honorary freeman, and an engraving of their names on the Freedom of the City marble board was unveiled at the ceremony.

The scrolls were produced by local company Hilton Studios and the medals were produced by Jewellery Quarter-based business Fattorini.

The medal was designed by competition winner Toby Williams, a student at the School of Jewellery at Birmingham City University.

Noel Gallagher has told the crowd inside Cardiff’s Principality Stadium just who was the reason behind him finally ending his feud with brother Liam Gallagher and getting Oasis back together

The Gallagher brothers have let slip the real reason they got the band back together. During Oasis’ second night performing at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, Noel Gallagher revealed who was behind him finally ending his bitter feud with brother Liam Gallagher.

Oasis mania has swept the UK once again but it wasn’t too long ago that it was unimageable that we’d ever see Noel and Liam on stage together following a dramatic fallout in 2009.

The reunion announcement last year came 15 years after Noel quit the Manchester band, saying he “simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer”, after a backstage brawl at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris.

But speaking on stage this evening, Noel was overcome with emotion at times as he shared the stage with his brother once again. On night two of the show, Noel took a moment to give a shout out to Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs when the group returned for an encore.

READ MORE: Oasis LIVE: Noel Gallagher reveals real reason band reunited as night two comes to an end

He said: “On guitar, if it wasn’t for him, none of this would have happened! “

Noel and Liam swaggered on to the stage before waving at concertgoers at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Friday, the first stop on their long-awaited worldwide reunion tour.

The brothers, who had not performed together since their dramatic split in 2009, blasted through their setlist, kicking off with Hello, from their second album, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?

During the gig, the lead singer apologised to fans for how long it had taken for them to reunite. Liam spoke to the audience several times throughout the set, saying: “Hello people, it’s been too long,” before their third song, (What’s the Story).

Before launching into Cigarettes And Alcohol, Liam demanded the audience embrace, telling fans to turn around and hug a stranger.

He said: “Right then beautiful people, I want to see you all turn around and put your arms round each other. And when the tune starts, jump up and f****** down. “

Both brothers made joking references to the dynamic pricing scandal, which caused outrage among fans trying to buy tickets for shows in the UK and Ireland, with some standard tickets appearing to jump from £148 to £355. The controversy prompted the Government and the UK’s competition watchdog to pledge to look at the use of dynamic pricing.

After Liam walked off stage following Roll With It, Noel took over singing duties for the first time. He quoted the audience a price the gig was worth, before saying: “It’s just gone up. ” Later, Liam said: “Was it worth the £40,000 you paid for a ticket? “

During the final bars of Live Forever, a picture of Diogo Jota, the Liverpool footballer who died in a car accident on Thursday, was displayed, and the crowd cheered and applauded the gesture.

As they broke into fan-favourite Champagne Supernova, their final song of the evening, the lead singer said: “Right you beautiful people, this is it. Nice one for putting up with us over the years, we know we’ve been difficult. Champagne Supernova, nice one. “

While the brothers shared no banter on stage throughout the gig, they very briefly high-fived and half-hugged each other’s shoulders after their closing track.

Oasis was supported by fellow 90s group Cast and former Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft. Cast, an indie rock band from Liverpool, also paid tribute to Diogo Jota, dedicating their top 10 hit Walkaway to the footballer.