**Black Sabbath Reflects on Legacy Ahead of Final Performance in Birmingham**
As the heavy metal pioneers prepare to take their final bow on July 5 in Birmingham, England—the city where it all began—Black Sabbath’s original lineup has opened up about how they hope the band will be remembered. For Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, this isn’t just the end of a tour; it’s the closing of a monumental chapter in rock history.
In a recent joint statement, the band reflected on their journey from working-class teens in industrial Birmingham to global legends who redefined music. “We started with nothing but a love for music and a need to express something darker, something real,” said Iommi, the band’s iconic guitarist. “We never imagined it would take us this far.”
For Ozzy Osbourne, the hope is that Sabbath’s legacy lives not just in albums and accolades, but in the generations of fans and artists they inspired. “I want people to remember that we were raw, we were real, and we meant every note,” Ozzy said. “We didn’t chase trends. We made our own path.”
Geezer Butler, the band’s bassist and principal lyricist, emphasized the deeper themes in their music. “It wasn’t just doom and gloom,” he noted. “It was about confronting fear, injustice, the human condition. That’s why people still connect with it.”
Drummer Bill Ward, who has struggled with health issues in recent years but remains an integral part of the band’s foundation, spoke emotionally about unity. “We were four lads from Birmingham who trusted each other and created something no one had ever heard before. That’s the magic I hope people remember.”
As the curtain prepares to fall, Black Sabbath isn’t asking for fanfare—just remembrance. Not as rock gods, but as four friends who gave everything to their music… and helped create a genre in
the process.
