Black Sabbath fans have been reacting to the news of the band’s final show and their original line-up making a return.
Today (February 5), it was announced that the legendary metal band and its most iconic line-up – comprised of frontman Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward – will play live together for the first time in two decades on July 5 at Villa Park in their hometown of Birmingham.
The news of the final live show, dubbed ‘Back To The Beginning’, was announced at the home of Aston Villa by Iommi and Sharon Osbourne, the manager and wife of the iconic frontman.
Tickets go on sale next Friday (February 14) at 10am GMT, and all profits will go to charities Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice – a Children’s Hospice supported by Aston Villa. Visit here for tickets.
Now, fans have taken to X/Twitter to express their excitement about the long-awaited reunion. One said: “Tbh for the OG Sabbath members to still be around, let alone still perform!! That’s so crazy we should just appreciate 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽.”
Another user wrote: “I will be doing anything to get this ticket. Sabbath and Ozzy have raised me since a teen. They are my soundtrack to this day. And the foundation of most of the music I ever listen to. God bless all 4 of you. 🤘🖤🖤🖤”
Tbh for the OG Sabbath members to still be around, let alone still perform!! That’s so crazy we should just appreciate 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
— Jah (@elijah_george97) February 5, 2025
I will be doing anything to get this ticket. Sabbath and Ozzy have raised me since a teen. They are my soundtrack to this day. And the foundation of most of the music I ever listen to. God bless all 4 of you. 🤘🖤🖤🖤
— John MacAskill ⚡️🔋🌞💨☕️🤘🏻 (@John_G_MacA) February 5, 2025
“Now this is the reunion we wanted,” shared another fan, talking about the reunion – which has been speculated since rumours about the possibility of a one-off reunion show from the metal veterans have been swirling in recent years.
In 2024, for instance, Osbourne shared that he would “jump at the chance” to play a final Black Sabbath show with co-founding drummer Bill Ward, and Butler hinted that he and Osbourne had “agreed” to play one last gig.
Around that same time, Sharon said that Ozzy was planning “two more shows to say goodbye” before he fully retires.
Another fan took to X/Twitter and shared: “However, it’s amazing that all of the original BLACK SABBATH members are still alive and well at this point.” Check out more reactions below.
Now this is the reunion we wanted
— Reality (@realityuk_) February 5, 2025
Epic line-up. A fitting end to a career for the ages.
— Noel Smith (@NoelConvex) February 5, 2025
33 years, wow! That’s OG status right there. I’m jealous, hoping I can snag tickets. Fingers crossed!
— Simon P (@simonkp) February 5, 2025
This is actually the best thing ever omg. GAAASSSSSEDDDD
— 𝖆𝖗𝖊𝖊 🇨🇾 (@arediworld) February 5, 2025
Holy Black Sabbath News!
The sound of me opening this app today:
pic.twitter.com/UUZjrUlOke— Ali Malik (@AAkooJ) February 5, 2025
しかし、オリジナルBLACK SABBATHメンバー、現時点で1人も欠ける事なく健在なのは凄いな。 https://t.co/qjf5QFRYMD
— RYOSUKE ISHII (@atm_09_st_rsc) February 5, 2025
Black Sabbath played the final show of their last farewell tour back in 2017, wrapping up the stint at Birmingham’s arena. However, last May the singer said that he was somewhat disappointed that the last date they played didn’t include Bill Ward. The drummer had parted ways with the metal legends in 2012, due to what he claimed was an “unreasonable contract”.
Towards the end of last year, hopes for a comeback seemed to wane, as Iommi said that while he had expressed interest in performing with the band for one last show, he thought it would be unlikely to materialise.
On top of that, Ozzy addressed his declining health and shared that he might have to “accept the fact” that a live comeback would potentially not be possible due to issues such as his battle with Parkinson’s disease and recovery from multiple surgeries.
