Ozzy Osbourne‘s final “Back to the Beginning” concert kept him “flying high” until the day he died, his wife Sharon Osbourne said. Speaking at a London screening of the film “Ozzy & Black Sabbath: Back to the Beginning” — which chronicles the July 5, 2025 Birmingham show that took place just weeks before the heavy metal legend’s death at 76 — on Tuesday night, Sharon recalled the importance of the event to Ozzy. Besides featuring the final performances from Ozzy and Black Sabbath, “Back to the Beginning” brought together other genre heavyweights including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Pantera, Tool and more.
Until the day he passed, he was still on that high,” Sharon told moderator Phil Alexander. It was just joyous for us to see him that way, because we hadn’t seen him that way in years. He was laughing, telling jokes again.
It was brilliant.” Sharon said the idea for the concert came about because Ozzy “wanted to perform one more time to say thank you and goodbye to everyone.” Although his health was touch and go — with emphysema making his vocal performance unpredictable — he was “so determined mentally to do this,” Sharon said. But it’s mind over matter.” She added that Ozzy’s fellow Black Sabbath members weren’t even aware of how bad his condition had become. I mean, even my kids — we never told my kids,” she said.
You asked them to do something, and they delivered.” “You know, it’s only this community that would do that,” she continued. Do you think you could turn up in three months’ time?’ They’d say, ‘Fuck off, I’m too big for that.'” On the day of the concert, Sharon remembered being “petrified, because I didn’t know whether he could literally get through it.” But Ozzy was having a grand old time, watching every act and “applauding in the dressing room.” “He was overcome with it all. He was so, so happy,” Sharon said.
He just couldn’t believe it.” The concert film includes behind-the-scenes footage, including of “Aquaman” star Jason Momoa, who was the event’s emcee. Sharon revealed that he didn’t exactly know that would be his job on the day. It ruins the surprise!” she said with a laugh.
And he’s like, ‘I can’t do that.’ Fuck off, you’re an actor!” Asked about what made Ozzy so special as a performer, Sharon concluded that “nobody sounded like” him. I’m gonna take my shirt off, sweat a bit and rub me old tits.’ And it’s like, you need more than that.” However, she cheekily added: “He would like to show his bum — that was his swan song.” “Ozzy & Black Sabbath: Back to the Beginning” hits cinemas worldwide on Oct. 28 via Trafalgar Releasing.
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