In August 2022, something unforgettable happened in Birmingham, England. Ozzy Osbourne — one of the most iconic voices in rock history — returned to his hometown for a special performance at the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. For fans around the world, it became more than just a concert. It became a moment of emotion, legacy, and history.
This was Ozzy’s first major live appearance after years of health challenges. Many people wondered if they would ever see him onstage again. But on that night, inside Alexander Stadium, Ozzy stood strong in front of thousands of cheering fans. It was one of the final major performances of his life, and it carried the weight of his entire journey.
A Stage Filled With History
Ozzy didn’t take the stage alone. Standing beside him was Tony Iommi, the legendary guitarist who founded Black Sabbath with him more than 50 years earlier. Together, they shaped the sound of heavy metal. And that night, they returned to the city where it all began.
With drummer Tommy Clufetos and bassist/keyboardist Adam Wakeman supporting them, the band launched into two of Black Sabbath’s biggest songs: “Iron Man” and “Paranoid.”
The moment the first note hit, Ozzy felt it deep inside. He later described it as something that shook him to his bones — “like the gates of hell grinding open.” For him, the power of the music was still alive, the spark still burning.
More Than Nostalgia — A True Homecoming
For Ozzy, the night was emotional. When he looked out at the stadium, he wasn’t just seeing a crowd — he was seeing the city that shaped him. The streets, the neighborhoods, the place he once struggled to escape. And yet, all these years later, he returned as a legend.
“I was home. I’d made it,” he said afterward. His only regret? That the performance had to end. He felt like the energy was still rising.
A Moment That Touched Other Legends
The performance didn’t only move the fans in the stadium. Brian May of Queen — another giant of rock — later admitted that the show brought him to tears. Seeing Ozzy and Iommi standing together again after so long felt powerful and emotional. When Sharon Osbourne told Ozzy about Brian May’s reaction, Ozzy was overwhelmed. Praise from a fellow rock legend meant the world to him.
A Final Salute
At the time, no one knew how close this moment was to the end of Ozzy’s live career. After the Commonwealth Games, he performed only two more times before his death in July 2025. Because of this, that night in Birmingham has taken on a deeper meaning. It wasn’t just another show — it was a farewell of sorts.
It was the sound of a life coming full circle: Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness, roaring onstage in the city that started it all. His voice may have been older, but its power was still unmistakable. The crowd felt it. His peers felt it. And Ozzy felt it most of all.