Black Sabbath fans around the world have a reason to celebrate as legendary guitarist Tony Iommi has officially confirmed Ozzy Osbourne’s participation in the upcoming Back To The Beginning concert. The all-day rock and metal event is scheduled for Saturday, July 5, at Villa Park in Birmingham, and promises to be one of the most historic gatherings in heavy metal history.
In an interview with BBC Midlands Today, Tony Iommi spoke about the emotional weight of returning to their hometown for such a significant performance. The show will mark the first time in 20 years that the original Black Sabbath members perform together on stage. Iommi admitted that despite decades of performing in front of massive audiences, this concert feels particularly overwhelming. “We’re all nervous really,” he confessed. “People are coming from all over the world and I just can’t absorb it. This is totally different from anything else we’ve done. You know, we’ve played to 300,000 people, but this is nerve-racking. We’re playing in our hometown, we’ve got all these bands on with us, and we haven’t played together for 20 years.”
The 77-year-old guitarist also reflected on the challenges of performing at this stage of life. Although rehearsals have gone well, he noted that it’s not as easy as it once was. “I wouldn’t say it’s been easy, it’s been tough, because none of us are getting younger and to stand there for a couple of hours is tiring.”
A major highlight of the event will be the return of Ozzy Osbourne, affectionately known as the Prince of Darkness. Despite ongoing health issues, Osbourne is set to appear on stage and perform during the show. When asked how many songs Ozzy would sing, Iommi revealed, “He might not be able to do the whole show, but he’s gonna do four songs. He’s singing fine. It’s just a shame to see the way it is. But that’s life, I suppose. You’ve just gotta get on with it. But we’re all looking forward to it, and all nervous as well, which is very unusual.”
Back To The Beginning is more than a concert—it’s a celebration of the roots of heavy metal, paying tribute to a genre that Black Sabbath helped define. The concert boasts one of the most remarkable lineups in rock and metal music history, with performances by some of the biggest names in the industry. Hosted by actor and metal enthusiast Jason Momoa, the event will feature appearances by Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins, David Draiman of Disturbed, Duff McKagan and Slash of Guns N’ Roses, Frank Bello of Anthrax, Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit, Jake E. Lee, KK Downing, Lzzy Hale of Halestorm, Mike Bordin of Faith No More, Rudy Sarzo, Sammy Hagar, Scott Ian of Anthrax, Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine, Zakk Wylde, Sleep Token II of Sleep Token, and Papa V Perpetua of Ghost.
This monumental event is attracting fans from across the globe, eager to witness a once-in-a-lifetime performance. For Black Sabbath, this concert is a powerful homecoming. For Ozzy Osbourne, even a short return to the stage is a statement of endurance and love for the music that defined his career. Despite the nerves, physical demands, and emotional intensity, Back To The Beginning is shaping up to be a legendary farewell, honoring the band’s roots and celebrating a musical legacy that spans generations.
