TONY IOMMI Reveals How Many Songs OZZY OSBOURNE Will Sing at BLACK SABBATH's Final Concert: 'He Can’t Do the Whole Show'

Black Sabbath is getting ready to take the stage one last time. The band’s final performance, set for Saturday, July 5, will take place in their hometown of Birmingham, England.

The farewell event, titled Back to the Beginning, will be held at Villa Park stadium and marks the first time in 20 years that all four original members will share the stage.

Guitarist Tony Iommi spoke to the BBC about what to expect from the night. According to him, Ozzy Osbourne will sing four songs. Due to ongoing health issues, Osbourne won’t be performing a full set.

“He’s singing well,” Iommi said. “Maybe he can’t do the whole show, but he’ll do four songs.”

A Long-Awaited Reunion

The event will reunite the classic lineup of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. It’s the first time they’ve all performed together since the early 2000s. Iommi shared that emotions are running high in the lead-up to the event.

“This is very different from anything we’ve done,” he said. “We’ve played in front of 300,000 people before, but this is nerve-wracking. We’re back in our hometown. It’s been 20 years. And there are over 40,000 people coming from all over the world. I just can’t absorb it.”

Despite the pressure, Iommi said the group is excited. Rehearsals have been challenging, though. “I wouldn’t say it’s been easy. It’s been tough. None of us are getting younger, and standing for a couple of hours is tiring.”

An All-Star Farewell

The lineup for Back to the Beginning includes more than just Black Sabbath. Artists such as Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Alice in Chains, KoRn, Guns N’ Roses, Anthrax, and Tool are also scheduled to perform. Special appearances include Billy Corgan, Steven Tyler, and the surviving members of Soundgarden.

Tom Morello, guitarist for Rage Against the Machine, will act as the concert’s musical director. Actor Jason Momoa will host the event. The concert will also be streamed live worldwide.

With such a stacked lineup, Iommi says it’s been refreshing to collaborate with other artists. “Everyone’s been great. There are no egos,” he told the BBC.

Ozzy’s Health Still a Concern

Ozzy Osbourne hasn’t performed a full concert since 2018. He’s been dealing with serious health problems, including a form of Parkinson’s disease, multiple surgeries, and a spinal injury.

In a May interview with The Guardian, Osbourne said he was doing everything he could to prepare. “I’ll be there, and I’ll do the best I can. All I can do is turn up.”

He also told fans he had returned to the gym and was undergoing heavy training to prepare for the show. Due to limited mobility, he may be seated or using a supportive device on stage. Some rumors even suggest a throne that moves across the stadium, though that hasn’t been confirmed.

Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s wife and longtime manager, told NME that while Ozzy “can’t walk,” his voice remains strong. “His illness doesn’t affect his voice. He wants to say thank you to everybody. He didn’t have that chance because of his illness, but now he does.”

A True Ending

The upcoming show will close the book on one of the most influential bands in heavy metal history. Formed in 1968, Black Sabbath helped define the genre with dark, heavy riffs and ominous lyrics.

The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 and awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.

Their last official tour, titled The End, wrapped up in 2017 and also ended in Birmingham. But Bill Ward didn’t take part in that final run, making this weekend’s concert a rare and likely final opportunity to see the original lineup together.

“This is it,” Iommi said. “We’re never going to do this again.”

Back to the Beginning is a full-circle moment for four musicians who started out in working-class Birmingham and went on to shape the sound of rock music.

Even if Ozzy only sings four songs, fans will witness a historic farewell.

The concert supports several charities, including Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice. Tickets sold out quickly, but fans worldwide can catch the livestream.

One chapter ends. No drama, just legacy.

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