Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s Final Farewell
Ozzy Osbourne and his pioneering metal band Black Sabbath are finally ready to take off from playing and music more than 50 years after they first formed in Birmingham, England. Ozzy and his manager Sharon planned a grand highlight, gathering the biggest names in rock and metal to pay tribute to the band’s influence during an all-day celebration and live-streamed event.
The Event: "Back to the Beginning"
The 10-hour concert, entitled "Back to the Beginning," took place in Villa Park, just miles from where Ozzy and his bandmates grew up. The event featured an outstanding lineup and many surprises, with music director Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine) putting together two supergroups for the occasion.
The Livestream Experience
The extravaganza started in Great Britain at 3 p.m., with the livestream broadcast two hours later in the USA. The streaming experience was a success, with fans tuning in to watch performances by Mastodon, Sons of Competing, Anthrax, and more. Although the fans who were lucky enough to attend the event in person had a haunting stadium show experience that they will never forget, the livestream allowed fans from all over the world to join in on the celebration.
Highlights of the Event
Some of the greatest highlights and masterful moments of the historical event included Jason Momoa hosting the event, Jack Black and Rockstar-Nachsenden killing it on "Mr. Crowley," and Lizzy Hale singing a storm. Other notable performances included Nuno Bettencourt saving the day with his impressive guitar play, and legends such as Ronnie Wood, Steven Tyler, and more joining in for a jam session.
Jason Momoa: The Host with the Most
At the beginning of the show, Momoa proclaimed the event "the most epic day in the history of heavy metal," and he clearly enjoyed every second of it. He took cell phone photos and videos of his favorite bands from the side stage and even threatened to get into the mosh pit when he introduced Pantera, one of the most aggressive groups on the bill.
Jack Black and Rockstar-Nachsenden: A Crazy Performance
Momoa’s Minecraft co-star, Jack Black, is no stranger to the rock stage – he’s half of the music duo Tenacious D with Kyle Gass. But he made his crazy mark with a prepared music video featuring Roman Morello (Tom Morello’s son) and Revel Ian (Scott Ian of Anthrax’s son). Black’s reproduction of Ozzy’s "Mr. Crowley" was perhaps the craziest moment of the day, but it was also the most faithful tribute to Osbourne’s wistful, wailing croon on the melody and its dark delivery.
Lizzy Hale: Singing a Storm
The only woman on the bill, the singer for Halestorm, served up two raw and rough originals as well as a strong version of the Osbourne classic "Perry Mason." Later, she tackled another Ozzy number from the 80s, "Ultimate Sin," which was handled by a powerhouse cast, including Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt, and original Ozzy bandmate, Axer Man Jake E. Lee, and drummer Mike Bordin.
Nuno Bettencourt: Saving the Day
Bettencourt could have offered the most impressive guitar play on the bill, and that says something with such an impressive group of musicians. His playing for the all-star jam parts of the show was complicated, soulful, and simply stunning every time he had a role, especially with Dave Draiman of Disturbed on the groovy Sabbath jewel, "Sweet Leaf."
Legends Joining In
The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, and Black Sabbath are probably everything on the shortlist of Rock N’ Roll "GOAT." So it felt right and apparent to see Stone’s guitarist Ronnie Wood and Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler pay respect during a head-spinning superjam, which also featured Billy Corgan from Smashing Pumpkins, Papa Emeritus of Ghost, Travis Barker, Sammy Hagar, and Living Colour’s Vernon Reid.
Yungblud: Making Changes
The British singer Yungblud, who is mainly known as a pop-punk artist, has a way of defying expectations, especially with his cover song selection. Fred Durst offered a recorded version of "Changes," which was accompanied by a cellist for the show, but Yungblud’s take while Morello jammed was more from the heart, with an emotional feel that shone through.
Celebrity Drum Circle
Pound for pound, one of the most exciting moments of the show featured Tool’s Danny Carey, Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Travis Barker from Blink-182, who played out Sabbath’s "Symptom of the Universe" and traded off against each other in the same song.
Tool: Bringing Their Own Sound
With regard to intensity and precision, the LA band brought their own sound to Villa Park with their own songs "Sixty & Two" and "Aenema." They also made Sabbath’s "Hand of Fate" their own, thanks to the visceral singing of singer Maynard James Keenan and the brutal rhythm department of the band. It could have been the best cover of the day.
Guns N’ Roses and Metallica: Bringing the House Down
The last two performers before the man and the band of the hour brought surprising song selections and covers to the metal mix, but it was the chemistry on stage that was fascinating to observe and absorb. Guns N’ Roses and Metallica both have long and turbulent histories that adhere to the mood they’ve released. While we may have expected Metallica to kill Sonic Fury "All of Them" on Saturday, their set was a little more relaxed and funny than expected.
Video Shout-Outs
Dolly Parton, Elton John, Billy Idol, Jonathan Davis, and more recorded messages to Ozzy and the band, saying how Sabbath inspired and influenced their music. The proceeds from the concert will be divided among Cure Parkinson, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice.
The Prince on His Throne
Although he’s been battling health problems for years, including Parkinson’s and spine issues, Ozzy’s vocals still have strength. Yes, he was sitting on a throne-like bat throne for his two closing sets, first with his band (including a fascinating Zakk Wylde on guitar) and finally with his legendary guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and returning drummer Bill Ward. For the solo set, "Crazy Train" was a highlight, but it was the ballad "Mama I’m Coming Home" that brought the crowd to tears and seemed to affect the singer the most at the moment. Ozzy is a pop culture caricature for some, but his musicianship has made him a legend. This truth was underscored by his last performance with Black Sabbath, which included only four songs ("War Pigs," "N.I.B.," "Iron Man," and "Paranoid"). The end of Ozzy’s musical journey was not dark, debated, or dangerous for the threatening mysticism of the band and the satanic panic that they’ve produced in the past. It was just joyful, filled with fans, family, and friends.
