At Ozzy Osbourne’s emotional farewell performance on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham, one of the most notable figures in the crowd wasn’t on the stage — it was Queen guitarist Brian May. The two rock legends, friends for decades, shared a quiet but powerful moment in history as Ozzy brought his career full circle with a final Black Sabbath reunion.
May, who has long maintained a close friendship with both Ozzy and guitarist Tony Iommi, was spotted watching the show with visible emotion. It marked a full-circle moment not only for Osbourne, who returned to his hometown for his last-ever concert, but also for May, who has frequently spoken about his admiration for Ozzy and the influence of Sabbath on rock history.
The relationship between Brian May and Ozzy Osbourne spans back to the early days of heavy metal and glam rock. May collaborated with Tony Iommi on multiple occasions, including during the Headless Cross era, and has publicly praised Black Sabbath as one of the most important bands of all time. Their friendship extends offstage as well, with May previously expressing how deeply moved he was seeing Ozzy and Iommi reunite at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
At Saturday’s concert, Ozzy performed seated due to ongoing health issues, including Parkinson’s and spinal complications. Despite this, he delivered a passionate set with original Black Sabbath members, creating an unforgettable night for fans and peers alike.
The show served as a farewell to one of the most iconic careers in rock, and Brian May’s presence in the crowd underscored the deep respect and brotherhood that exists between two of the genre’s most influential figures.
In the end, May wasn’t there as a celebrity — he was there as a friend, a fan, and a fellow pioneer saying goodbye.
