Ozzy Osbourne gives emotional interview ahead of last Black Sabbath gig

Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath will headline their final gig on July 5th at Villa Park in Birmingham, as part of an event titled "Back To The Beginning". Ozzy says it is definitely the last show adding "and what a way to go out".

This show will reunite the original band members – Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward – for the first time in 20 years.

The band played its "last" gig in 2017 in Birmingham with Osborne, guitarist Iommi and bassist Butler but without Ward on drums. Ozzy, who is suffering from Parkinson’s disease, told last month how he has been having physical therapy and training with a trainer virtually living with him in Los Angeles in a bid to get him fit enough to perform on stage after a catalogue of illnesses. Here he gives what is likely to be his last interview ahead of the weekend's show, which will also be available for fans to watch on a live stream..

READ MORE: P Diddy trial verdict LIVE updates: Jury make decision on four counts as he faces life sentence

READ MORE: Bob Elmore dead: Pirates of the Caribbean star dies as co-stars pay tribute

What does this show mean to you personally?

OZZY: It’s my final encore; it’s my chance to say thank you to my fans for always supporting me and being there for me.

How does it feel to be playing your final show in Birmingham?

OZZY: I couldn’t have done my final show anywhere else. I had to go back to the beginning.

What do you hope fans take away from Back to the Beginning?

OZZY: I hope they feel appreciated for how much they mean to me.

Why was a live stream important for this performance?

OZZY: We never meant to have a livestream; it wasn’t in our plan. I was just surprised how many people we were contacted by to do one, and so it seemed a great chance for people who didn’t have the opportunity to get a ticket to be able to see the show

Can you share any memories about Villa Park or performing in your hometown?

OZZY: My memories of Villa Park when I was growing up were: Every Saturday when there was a match, I would go out with my friends and stand outside the Villa asking people for a shilling to watch their car.

What does this line-up of legends mean to you?

OZZY: It means everything, I am forever in their debt for showing up for me and the fans. I can’t quite put it into words, but I feel very emotional and blessed.

Do you see this as a goodbye or the beginning of something else?

OZZY: It’s a goodbye as far as my live performances go, and what a way to go out.

LIVESTREAM TICKETS FOR THE SHOW ARE AVAILABLE AT WWW.BACKTOTHEBEGINNING.COM