Black Sabbath cofounder Tony Iommi believes Ozzy Osbourne knew exactly what he was doing when he reunited with the band one last time earlier this month. The heavy metal icon died at 76 on July 22, just weeks after performing with his original bandmates in Birmingham.
Earlier this month, Osbourne returned to the stage alongside Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward for a surprise Black Sabbath reunion at the “Back to the Beginning” festival. The performance, held at Villa Park stadium on July 5, marked their first full live set together in years. Fans were unaware it would become the band’s true farewell.
In an interview with ITV News on July 23, Iommi shared his belief that Osbourne pushed himself through declining health in order to say goodbye on his own terms. “He held out to do that show,” Iommi said, noting that he and Butler discussed the possibility that Osbourne saw it as a final chapter. “Just after that, he’s done it and said goodbye to the fans, and that was the end of it, really.”
Although Osbourne’s health struggles were well documented, Iommi described the news of his passing as a shock. He explained that the singer had not looked well during rehearsals but was determined to take the stage regardless. “They’d bring him in, he’d sit down and sing a few songs, and then we’d talk about some rubbish old times,” Iommi recalled. “And then he’d go.”
Osbourne’s death was confirmed by his family on July 22, with a public statement describing him as being “surrounded by love.” The announcement asked for privacy during what was described as a deeply painful moment for the family. Iommi later revealed that he had received a text from Osbourne just one day earlier and initially couldn’t believe the news.
The timing of Osbourne’s final appearance, so close to his death, adds weight to the theory that he saw the performance as a farewell. For fans and fellow musicians alike, the reunion show now serves as both a celebration and a farewell to one of rock’s most enduring figures.
While Iommi expressed his sorrow at losing his longtime friend, he also acknowledged the significance of that last performance. It may not have been advertised as a farewell tour, but for Osbourne, it might have been exactly that.
