Ozzy Osbourne was one of the most legendary figures in the world of rock music. He passed away at the age of 76 on 22nd July, sending shockwaves across the world. While he may have held the title of heavy metal’s ‘Prince of Darkness’, he was at heart a family man who was much loved by many people. Ozzy Osbourne passed following his battle with Parkinson’s disease, but his wife managed to grant him his final wish before dying.
The Announcement of His Death
The Osbourne family issued a statement following his passing that read, “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.” Ozzy was in the headlines just two weeks before his death for his incredible final show with Black Sabbath, Back to the Beginning. Not only did Ozzy play his final show with Sabbath and his solo group, but the stage was also shared with famous metal acts such as Metallica, Pantera, and Slayer. While everyone knew this would be his final concert, his sudden passing shortly thereafter shocked many.
Why Did They Choose Villa Park in Birmingham?
Back to the Beginning took place in Villa Park in Birmingham, which is close to there Sabbath first formed in the later 1960s. In fact, Ozzy Osbourne grew up in the Aston area of the city. It had long been his and his wife Sharon’s wish to return to the UK after living in the US for decades. They fulfilled that wish when they made Buckinghamshire their permanent retirement base. Back in February, Sharon stated in an interview about the concert that “He’s very happy to be coming back and very emotional about this.” By that point, his Parkinson’s had severely impacted his mobility, but according to Sharon, “his voice is as good as it’s ever been.”
The Only Choice
According to Sharon, there was only one place that would be fitting for Black Sabbath’s final show. “The only place that we could do it would have been Aston, because that’s where Ozzy was born and grew up, which is right where the Villa ground is,” she said in an interview. The concert was an incredibly emotional event and a profitable one for charities too. In fact, the concert raised £140 million ($190 million) for various charities, which makes it the highest-grossing charity concert in history.
Which Charities Benefited?
Some of those funds were allocated to Parkinson’s disease research, and some went to the Birmingham Children’s Hospital. This hospital serves the very community that Ozzy grew up in. The remainder of the funds went to Acorn’s Children’s Hospital. This hospice helps to support the families of children with serious illnesses in the West Midlands. Imagine leaving behind a legacy that not only touched countless lives musically but also made such an incredible difference to the lives of those in need.
How Long Did Ozzy Osbourne Stay Outside of the UK?
Ozzy and Sharon lived outside of the United Kingdom for more than two decades. They initially announced their plan to leave Los Angeles in 2022, but Ozzy’s health didn’t allow for it at the time. At that point, he had endured seven surgeries in just five years. At that time, Ozzy was ready to leave due to the political environment. In August of 2022, he said in an interview, “I’m fed up with people getting killed every day. God knows how many people have been shot in school shootings. And there was that mass shooting in Vegas at that concert… It’s f—— crazy.”
Final Return to Stage
Despite serious physical decline, Ozzy Osbourne was adamant that he go out with a bang. Although he remained seated for the entire performance, his vocals soared over the audience and into millions of homes around the world. The final swan song of a man who dedicated his life to music, made only more powerful by the fact that he passed mere weeks later. Perhaps he felt he had accomplished everything he needed to in this lifetime.
An Eternal Legacy
Ever since they first burst onto the scene, Black Sabbath were shrouded in mystery and darkness. People had no idea what to make of their gloomy music and lyrics. Ozzy Osbourne’s onstage and offstage personas were enough to earn him the title of “Prince of Darkness”. Yet, for those closest to him, he was far from a dark being. For many outsiders, it was the reality show, The Osbournes, that revealed his human family-orientated side, as crazy and unconventional as it was!
Sharon Has Always Been His Rock
Sharon has played an exceptionally significant role in Ozzy’s life. She was both his manager and partner through it all, and looked out for his best interests until the end. He had always hoped to one day return to his country of birth and she made sure that’s exactly what happened. Additionally, it was here that he threw his final concert, allowing the entire world to celebrate his legacy and life in the best way possible, through music.
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