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Tony Iommi on Ozzy’s role in the final performance
Ahead of Back To the Beginning, guitarist Tony Iommi admitted to BBC Midlands Today that Ozzy Osbourne’s health will limit his role. The singer will perform just four tracks, though his voice “is fine,” Iommi promised . He embraced the bittersweet fact of seeing Ozzy play in a limited capacity:
“He’s not doing the whole show, but he’s going to perform four songs. He’s singing alright. It’s a shame to see the way it is…”
These comments came just days ahead of the concert, which was scheduled for July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham, the band’s hometown.
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The concert that almost wasn’t
Iommi conceded the buildup has been emotionally exhausting. In a refreshingly candid interview with Music Week, he described the preparations as “tough,” reflecting on the anxieties within the band as they set out on what he expects to be the final chapter in their storied career . He stated:
“We’ve played to 300,000 people, but this is nerve‑racking… We haven’t played together for 20 years.” 
The concert holds extra meaning: it’s not only a show, but an emotional return to where it all began.
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The songs that got left on the cutting room floor
The big news: which Sabbath staples didn’t make it into those last four songs? Tony didn’t necessarily mention each cut song by name, but we can piece together some of them:
• Ozzy will perform four songs from Sabbath’s deep catalog—likely staples—and no more. No solos, no encore. That meant that several fan favourites and live staples needed to be trimmed  .
• In subsequent interviews, Iommi disclosed that the nature of Ozzy’s condition limited their options. No surprises, no last‑minute reinforcements—just a judiciously selected quartet to maintain Ozzy’s health .
So, while it’s not explicitly stated, some longtime listeners speculate that long-time Sabbath concert mainstays like “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” “Paranoid” and “N.I.B.” would make the grade, while others like “Black Sabbath,” “Children of the Grave,” or “Sabbra Cadabra” would end up on the cutting room floor. Those speculations follow traditional setlist protocols and album balance the band historically aimed for.
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The bittersweetness of a hometown farewell
Villa Park in Birmingham is not only a place—it’s holy ground. Iommi discussed the significance of returning to Aston—their home area—to close the chapter where everything began  . The show is being billed as the “perfect send‑off,” not a reunion, and carries an emotional significance that transcends the typical concerts .
Bill Ward, Geezer Butler, and Iommi joining Ozzy in his hometown for the first time since 2005 that all four original members have shared a stage together—a poignant moment transmitted around the world.
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A star‑studded celebration… and a final goodbye
“Back To the Beginning” isn’t just Sabbath—it’s a metal festival. Headlined by Sabbath, the show features performances from Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Anthrax, Lamb of God, Tool, Alice in Chains, and plenty more  . The show is a tribute to Sabbath’s immense legacy, put together by Tom Morello and hosted by Jason Momoa .
Moreover, it’s a fundraiser: proceeds benefiting Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice . For Ozzy, who has focused on family in the wake of health issues, the show also represents a farewell from the road—a final gift to fans ().
What’s next—and what we’ve learned
• Ozzy Osbourne will sing exactly four songs, maintaining vocal strength despite mobility challenges .
Other Sabbath classics were left out, most probably because of time, tempo, and Ozzy’s health.
The band rehearsed under record pressure, a blend of excitement and nervousness, to provide a worthy conclusion to their heritage ().
It’s more than a concert, it’s a homecoming, it’s a tribute, it’s a worldwide livestream, and it’s an emotional goodbye.
For hardcore fans, the question of “which songs did they leave out?” may never be answered—but most significantly, the chosen four will carry the full weight of Black Sabbath’s greatness, finishing a decades-long journey where it all began.
