Lzzy Hale, vocalist of Halestorm, recently shared her experience from Ozzy Osbourne’s retirement concert. She addressed the atmosphere backstage at the historic event in a statement shared on Louder Sound.
Hale described the unique camaraderie among the legendary musicians who gathered for Ozzy’s swansong performance. The event, titled “Back To The Beginning,” took place in July. The backstage environment brought together some of rock music’s most iconic figures in an unusually humble setting.
“We were at rehearsals the day before. You’re hanging out with Steven Tyler; James Hetfield is there and Tom Morello and Axl Rose, but everybody was the same. No head was higher,” Hale said.
Hale emphasized the emotional weight of witnessing one of rock’s greatest legends step away from performing, despite the star-studded lineup.
“It’s sad to see Ozzy go. We’re so grateful to have been there, but at the same time it’s so sad to see one of the greats go. I mean, it’s Ozzy. He’s supposed to always be here,” she continued.
The backstage camaraderie Hale described was part of an unprecedented gathering of rock royalty. Guitar World reported that “Back To The Beginning” took place on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham, England—Ozzy’s hometown. The event featured his final solo performance alongside the original Black Sabbath reunion, marking the first time the classic lineup (Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward) performed together in 20 years.
The all-day event was a star-studded affair that extended far beyond the headliners. Metal Injection documented performances by major rock and metal acts including Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Alice in Chains, Gojira, Slash, and numerous other legendary musicians and guest performers. The concert lasted approximately 10 hours, beginning at 1 pm BST and running until the local curfew at 11 pm. A revolving stage smoothly transitioned between sets.
Ozzy performed a solo set from a throne due to his inability to walk caused by Parkinson’s and spinal injuries. He played rock classics like “Crazy Train,” “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” and “Mr. Crowley.” Consequence noted that the final Black Sabbath set closed the night with iconic songs including “Paranoid,” cementing the emotional significance of the farewell.
The event was held at Villa Park stadium with approximately 40,000 attendees. It was streamed worldwide via pay-per-view with a two-hour delay, allowing fans globally to witness the historic moment. Beyond the performances, the concert served a charitable purpose. Profits benefited Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice.
Pennsylvania’s hard rockers were among the dozens of iconic heavy bands who performed at Ozzy’s farewell show. This marked a significant moment in rock music history and a testament to the universal respect and admiration Ozzy commands across generations of musicians.
