Musicabilly Corgan reflects on the last Black Sabbath show: ‘They are in our hearts’

Billy Corgan paid tribute to Black Sabbath After the last rock band show, held over the weekend in Birmingham, England, calling the experience “a beautiful and bittersweet day”.

The event, which lasted all day at Villa Park, marked the meeting of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the first time since 2005. Corgan participated in the celebration as part of a “supergroup” alongside Steven Tyler, Sammy Hagar, Adam Jones (from Tool) and Tom Morelloplaying covers of “Breaking the Law”from Judas Priestand “Snowblind”from Black Sabbath.

“I heard Black Sabbath For the first time in my uncle’s stereo about 50 years ago, ”he shared Corgan node Instagram.

So it was surreal to be on a 45,000 soccer field to witness the end of this grand and institutional group that touched me personally, professionally and sometimes even intimately in stealing moments of work and comrade. Thanks Tony, Bill, Geezer and Ozzy for all they did for so many.

He continued: “I owe a debt of gratitude to Sharon [Osbourne] for inviting me to participate. It was, in fact, an honor in more levels than I can tell. And witnessing the passionate presentations of so many during rehearsals – from those I admire from the distance, of those I know too – and seeing all this becoming a journey of almost 10 hours of music and communion was something worthy to see. The song is, of course, the soundtrack of our lives, but yesterday, in my opinion, it was really special. As if a three -dimensional soundtrack were being created in real time. All to celebrate this return to the band’s home that was once known as Earth. ”

Corgan He added that “every great journey has trials and tribulations, tragedies and surprises.” “That’s where the magic is, that’s where the tears are,” he wrote. “Yesterday I shouted from pure exaltation for being in the right place, at the right time, and cried in silence while my heroes fell on their mythical and magical sword to say goodbye to us. We have the music, and we have them in our hearts. You don’t have to be a musician to understand. But that helps, at least if you are trying to decipher what is elusive in cosmos. Now the band is here and not; to be”.

The farewell show full of stars Osbourne On Saturday, titled Back to the beginninghad several bands besides the Black Sabbathincluding Metallic and Guns n ‘Roseswho paid tribute to the sick musician. THE Metallic opened your set with a cover of “Hole in the Sky”from the album Sabotage 1975, and also played “Johnny Blade”from Never Say Die! 1978. O Guns n ‘Roses presented four versions of songs from the Black Sabbathincluding opening with “It’s Alright”from Technical Ecstasybefore you amend with “Never Say Die”.

“It’s my time to go back to the beginning… time to return to the place where I was born,” he said Osbourne About the show in a statement in February. “What a blessing to be able to do this with the help of people I love. Birmingham is the real home of metal. Birmingham forever.”

A new documentary, On the escape from nowwill portray the major health problems faced by Osbourne Since 2019 and how he made the decision to organize the farewell show in his hometown. The movie opens in Paramount+ Still this year.

This article was originally published by Rolling Stone USA by Emily Zemler on July 8, 2025, and can be checked here.

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