Ozzy Osbourne gave a dramatic and emotional farewell to fans in his beloved Birmingham just weeks before he died

Ozzy Osbourne has died at the age of 76 just weeks after his epic farewell gig at Villa Park. The concert was a fitting tribute to the rock legend as he sang for the final time in front of 40,000 fans supported by an all-star line up of fellow music icons.

The gig was arranged with the help of wife Sharon Osbourne to get founding fathers of metal Black Sabbath back on stage where they belonged for one final time.

Ozzy, 76, who has Parkinson’s disease, sang while seated on a black throne – still loving the attention of the crowd as he roared and made wild eyed looks.

He appeared overwhelmed at some moments. In an emotional moment, Osbourne said: “I don’t know what to say, man, I’ve been laid up for like six years.

Ozzy Osbourne said Villa Park would be his final performance (
Image:
Ross Halfin)

“You have no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he told the crowd as he addressed them for what is now the final time.

The historic gig was the first time the original Sabbath line-up had played together for the first time in 20 years. They were joined by Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, the Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.

It wasn’t Ozzy’s final appearance as he also made it to Comic Con Midlands days later for a meet and greet with himself plus Sharon, Jack and Kelly.

Those lucky enough to see the icon in person described him as a “metal godfather” that “blessed us” with music.

A fan who was one of the last to meet Ozzy at Comic Con Midlands has told the Mirror he feels “numb” at the news. Singer Pip Marsh attended the convention with a friend to meet his ultimate hero earlier this month.

“I’ve just seen the news, I’m devastated,” he said. He added: “It doesn’t feel real, I’m numb.” He went on to comment: “I’m gutted. I’ve always had this weird connection to Ozzy, he lived not too far from where I grew up. One of my first ever big shows was on the same line-up as Sabbath, it’s wild. I feel numb.”

Before tonight’s tragic news, Ozzy had told how he hoped to carry in recording even though the Villa Park gig would be his last “goodbye” to fans.

The singer revealed in a new interview before the concert that he still had projects he hoped to complete despite his Parkinson’s disease.

Ozzy was supported by wife Sharon to make his final gig happen (
Image:
Animal News Agency – FREE STORY)
Ozzy told Metal Hammer magazine: “I am very blessed to say my goodbyes with the help of so many amazing musicians and friends. From the late 60s, we are probably one of the only bands where the original members are still alive and speaking with one another, as my wife says, it’s an invisible bond that can’t be broken.”

He added: “I still enjoy doing my own work. I also enjoy singing on other people’s work. For the foreseeable future, I will keep on recording if the projects interest me. It’s very important.”