Ozzy Osbourne's Final Setlist Surprise Revealed by Guitarist Zakk Wylde

Wylde shares the song Ozzy cut from the Black Sabbath 'Back to the Beginning' farewell concert.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 5:08pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a pair of well-worn, weathered leather gloves, capturing the texture and energy of heavy metal performance in a high-contrast, glamorous studio lighting setup.Ozzy Osbourne's worn leather gloves, a symbol of the raw power and passion that defined his legendary career, take center stage in this intimate farewell portrait.Chicago Today

In a recent interview, guitarist Zakk Wylde revealed that Ozzy Osbourne had originally planned to perform the song 'No More Tears' during Black Sabbath's 'Back to the Beginning' farewell concert, but ultimately decided to play 'Mama I'm Coming Home' and 'Crazy Train' instead. Wylde was surprised by the setlist change, but respected Ozzy's decision as the frontman. The concert proved to be Ozzy's final live performance before his passing just weeks later.

Why it matters

Ozzy's decision to alter the setlist at the last minute for his final concert provides insight into the icon's mindset as he faced the end of his legendary career. The change also highlights Ozzy's commitment to giving fans a memorable farewell, even if it meant cutting a fan-favorite song like 'No More Tears'.

The details

According to Wylde, the band had planned to perform 'No More Tears' during rehearsals for the 'Back to the Beginning' concert. However, on the day of the show, Ozzy informed Wylde that they would instead play 'Mama I'm Coming Home' and close with 'Crazy Train'. Wylde respected Ozzy's decision, understanding that the frontman knew his own limits and wanted to deliver the best possible farewell performance.

  • Ozzy Osbourne passed away just a few weeks after the 'Back to the Beginning' concert.
  • The 'Back to the Beginning' concert took place in early 2026.

The players

Zakk Wylde

Guitarist who performed alongside Ozzy Osbourne during the 'Back to the Beginning' farewell concert.

Ozzy Osbourne

The legendary frontman of Black Sabbath, who took the stage one last time during the 'Back to the Beginning' concert before his passing.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, we were going to do 'No More Tears.' Oz was like, if I'm up for it, if I can do it, we'll do 'No More Tears'. So, yeah, we did it in rehearsals.”

— Zakk Wylde, Guitarist

“That day, as he looked over at me, he goes, 'No, Zakk. We'll just do 'Mama [I'm Coming Home.' And then we'll end it with 'Crazy Train.'”

— Zakk Wylde, Guitarist

What’s next

Fans can look back on the 'Back to the Beginning' concert as Ozzy Osbourne's final live performance, a poignant farewell from the Prince of Darkness.

The takeaway

Ozzy Osbourne's decision to alter the setlist for his final concert, even cutting a fan-favorite like 'No More Tears,' showcases the icon's commitment to delivering the best possible farewell performance for his devoted fans.