BLACK SABBATH bassist Geezer Butler has stepped in to clarify the ending of the band’s historic farewell performance during the “Back To The Beginning” concert — and what fans watching the livestream didn’t get to see.
Held on Saturday, July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, UK — the very city where BLACK SABBATH was born — the all-star event marked a defining moment in heavy metal history. Original members Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward reunited onstage one final time, delivering a thunderous four-song set featuring “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” “N.I.B.,” and “Paranoid.” For fans around the world, it was the long-awaited closure to an era that shaped generations of music.
According to The Guardian, over five million viewers tuned in to the global livestream, while more than 40,000 fans filled the stadium in person. However, many watching from home were left puzzled by what appeared to be an abrupt and anticlimactic ending to the stream.
On July 7, Butler addressed the confusion on social media: “I keep hearing that people watching the stream thought that our set ended abruptly… with us just walking off. Sorry if it seemed that way. I went off to get this cake for Ozzy. Cheers to the fan that captured the proper ending.”
Indeed, after the final note of “Paranoid,” what wasn’t shown on the livestream was a heartfelt behind-the-scenes moment. Ozzy was surprised with a celebratory cake as fireworks exploded above the venue. A closing message flashed on the big screens: “Thank you for everything, you guys are f**king amazing. Birmingham Forever.”
Ozzy, 76, had opened the show with a powerful solo performance — his final live set ever — flanked by longtime collaborators Zakk Wylde, Mike Inez, Adam Wakeman, and Tommy Clufetos. Despite battling Parkinson’s and performing seated on a black throne, Ozzy delivered emotional renditions of solo classics like “I Don’t Know,” “Mr. Crowley,” “Suicide Solution,” “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” and “Crazy Train.”
Tributes from metal royalty including METALLICA, GUNS N’ ROSES, SLAYER, TOOL, PANTERA, and more set the tone for what would become one of the most significant nights in the genre’s history. The show also served a charitable purpose, with proceeds benefiting Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice.
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