**Sharon Osbourne Removes Band from Ozzy Osbourne’s Farewell Concert Amid Manager Dispute**
Sharon Osbourne has made headlines once again after a dramatic reshuffle of the performance line-up for Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s highly anticipated “Back To The Beginning” farewell concert. The event, scheduled for 5 July at Birmingham’s Villa Park, is set to commemorate not only Ozzy’s astounding career but also mark what may be his final stage appearance due to ongoing health challenges.
The controversy began, according to Sharon Osbourne, after a significant falling out with a band’s management. Despite rampant speculation, the band in question has yet to be officially named, though online chatter previously suggested US rock group Tool – whose name briefly vanished from the concert’s online line-up before returning. Sharon herself has chosen not to confirm or deny the specific act involved, maintaining an air of mystery over the last-minute change.
In an interview with Metal Hammer, Sharon described the incident as “probably the worst way I’ve felt in years,” referring to the heated confrontation with the manager in question. Despite the ongoing tension and subsequent public discussion, Sharon insisted she remains unfazed by external opinions. She remarked, “I care about people who love me, what they say about me. You can’t care what an industry says, because you don’t love them, so how can it hurt you?”
This reshuffling comes as the wider concert line-up remains packed with rock icons. Alongside Black Sabbath and Ozzy himself, fans can look forward to appearances from Metallica, Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins, Duff McKagan and Slash of Guns N’ Roses, Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst, Anthrax, Korn’s Jonathan Davis, and Wolfgang Van Halen. The show, described as a “celebration”, will also be raising funds for charity.
For Ozzy Osbourne, the concert is deeply symbolic. Having endured a string of medical setbacks, the artist has not taken to the stage for a full performance since 2018. His public struggle with Parkinson’s disease, diagnosed in 2003 but only disclosed in 2020, has posed additional challenges, compounded by serious injuries sustained in a 2003 quad bike accident which resulted in repeated spinal surgeries.
Discussing his preparations for the event on the ‘Ozzy Speaks’ podcast, the Prince of Darkness revealed the mental and physical toll of returning to live performance. “All I can say is I’m giving 120 percent. If my God wants me to do the show, I’ll do it,” Ozzy explained, emphasising his determination despite his ongoing health concerns.
Preparation, he admits, is rigorous, involving both physical rehabilitation and psychological resolve. “My head’s crazy. ADHD – I have that badly. I will have done the show and died a death before I even started my exercises,” Ozzy shared candidly. Wife Sharon continues to offer steadfast support, urging him to take each day as it comes.
In more practical terms, Ozzy is working closely with a specialist trainer focused on getting people “back to normal.” His health is under constant surveillance, as evidenced by his blood pressure being checked up to 15 times a day and the use of a finger device to monitor his heart rate. Whether he will take to the stage standing or seated remains uncertain, with Ozzy still recovering from earlier surgeries that complicated his movement further after a fall in 2019 disturbed implanted metal rods.
Despite the behind-the-scenes turbulence, anticipation for the concert remains immense. This event is not only a significant moment in British music history, marking the potential end of an era for heavy metal’s original frontman, but also a testament to the resilience required to continue against daunting odds. For fans, the buzz surrounding both the line-up and Ozzy’s return promises an unforgettable night in the heartland of British rock.
As the countdown continues to Villa Park, questions will linger regarding the mysterious band’s removal. Yet for organisers and attendees alike, the primary focus rests on Ozzy’s determination to defy adversity and bid farewell on his own terms.