Ozzy Osbourne's Final Message to Fans Delivered Just Weeks Before His Passing Resurfaces

He walked on stage for the last time in his hometown, defying pain and fear to give fans one more show. What followed became a farewell not just to the spotlight, but to life itself.

Hard-rock icon Ozzy Osbourne's heartfelt farewell to fans during what would become his final live performance has resurfaced, stirring fresh waves of emotion among the heavy metal community.

Just weeks before his passing, the 76-year-old took the stage in Birmingham, England, delivering a thunderous and deeply personal goodbye. The performance was held at the Villa Park soccer stadium, where Osbourne was lifted onto the stage seated on a black throne.

The concert marked a rare reunion of the original Black Sabbath lineup, of Tony Iommi, Bassist Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, for the first time in two decades. It was a defining moment in a day-long tribute filled with roaring guitar solos, nostalgia, and unfiltered gratitude.

"Let the madness begin!" Ozzy declared to the crowd, before offering a touching acknowledgment to those who had stood by him during years of health struggles:

"I don't know what to say, man, I've been laid up for like six years. You have no idea how I feel — thank you from the bottom of my heart. You're all … special. Let's go crazy, come on."

Ozzy powered through several solo tracks before reuniting with his legendary bandmates for a brief but powerful set that closed with "Paranoid." This is the song that helped define the heavy metal genre. He reflected, "It's the last song ever. Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle, thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

His words echoed through the stadium as fans cheered and the message, "Thank you for everything, you guys are [expletive] amazing. Birmingham Forever," appeared on screen.

Ozzy formed Black Sabbath in 1968. He helped to build the foundation of British metal. It has been defined by dark imagery, bone-rattling riffs, and an unmatched stage presence. The concert drew a lineup worthy of rock royalty, with acts like Anthrax, Metallica, and Guns N' Roses performing ahead of the headliner.

Tributes poured in from all corners of the music world, from Elton John, who praised Ozzy as "one of the most remarkable singers of our time." Dolly Parton and Jack Black also expressed their admiration and well-wishes to the icon.

Ozzy's fame expanded beyond the music scene in the early 2000s when he appeared with his wife Sharon and two of their children in the hit MTV reality show "The Osbournes." The show further cemented his place in pop culture.

Despite numerous health challenges, including a near-fatal quad bike crash in 2003 and spinal injuries that halted his touring schedule in 2023, Ozzy reportedly remained defiant. Ozzy also revealed his Parkinson's diagnosis in 2020.

In a Rolling Stone UK interview, Ozzy's defiance in the face of mortality rang even louder. Speaking from his California home, he reportedly said, "I don't fear dying, but I don't want to have a long, painful and miserable existence. I like the idea that if you have a terminal illness, you can go to a place in Switzerland and get it done quickly. I saw my father die of cancer [sic]."

He continued, "But look, I said to Sharon that I'd smoked a joint recently and she said, 'What are you doing that for! It'll [expletive] kill you!' I said, 'How long do you want me to [expletive] live for?!' At best, I've got ten years left and when you're older, time picks up speed [sic]," adding that he found it unbelievable when he and his wife celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary.

Before the July 5, 2025, Black Sabbath performance before his death, Ozzy reportedly admitted to being consumed by nerves and self-doubt as the date approached during a candid interview with SiriusXM, the Irish Star reports.

"By hook or by crook, I am going to make this [expletive] if it is the last thing I do. Well, it will be," he reportedly said, according to the Daily Express U.S.

Recalling a difficult moment in Las Vegas, he added, "I talked myself into blowing the gig. It was only two bloody songs. Sharon goes: 'Just don't think about it.' I obsess about a bloody bird [expletive] on my show."

Despite the emotional strain, the rock music legend reportedly promised fans he would "give 120 percent," adding, "Believe you me, I still get stage fright. As soon as you get on stage, it's like [expletive] or bust."

According to the Mirror US, the heavy metal legend reportedly spoke openly during the interview with SiriusXM about his mental health challenges, revealing, "My head is crazy. ADHD, I have that badly. I will have done the show and died a death before I even started my exercises, so I try and put it on the back burner."

That unforgettable night would soon take on even greater meaning as Ozzy died just weeks later, with his family by his side. His death marks the end of an era not just for rock music, but for those who loved him most.

Ozzy Osbourne, legendary frontman of Black Sabbath, died Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at the age of 76. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, including his eldest daughter, Aimee Osbourne, who has long avoided the spotlight.

In a joint statement, the Osbourne family said, "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 [sic]." The message was signed by Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee, and Louis.

In the days leading up to his passing, Aimee was seen in the United Kingdom, including a sighting in Manchester where she was photographed leaving a hotel with Wes Leavins, who is currently on tour. Known for her private lifestyle and limited public appearances, her presence in the U.K. signaled the importance of family during her father's final days.

In his final days, all of his children were reportedly present. "Kelly has been at the house a lot in the last week or so, so has Aimee," a friend said. "It is terribly sad for all of them. They really hoped he would be able to carry on for a bit longer."

Following his death, Ozzy's Black Sabbath bandmates shared heartfelt tributes on social media, offering sympathies to both the Osbourne family and fans, while mourning their loss.

Drummer Bill Ward wrote, "Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls, no, you're forever in my heart." He added, "Sincere regrets to all the fans. Never goodbye. Thank you forever. Bill Ward."

Guitarist Tony Iommi expressed shock on Instagram, writing, "I just can't believe it! My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park. It's just such heartbreaking news that I can't really find the words, there won't ever be another like him. Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother. [sic]" He also extended his thoughts to the Osbourne family.

Bassist Geezer Butler shared a message on X, saying, "Goodbye dear friend — thanks for all those years — we had some great fun. Four kids from Aston — who'd have thought, eh? So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you."

While Ozzy had faced ongoing health issues in recent years, the family expressed gratitude that he was able to spend his final moments at home, surrounded by love.

Ozzy's final act was one of courage, love, and unwavering devotion to his fans. Surrounded by family, he bid farewell on his terms, with music, fire, and heart. Though the stage has gone quiet, his legacy will thunder on.