No next time: The unseen but appropriate urgency of a last performance

Some folks quibble about farewell tours, but there are good reasons for artists to plan them in.
Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne | Dia Dipasupil/GettyImages

I wrote recently about several top 1970s bands marking the end of an era with their last live performances. The five bands mentioned were all having farewell gigs or tours this year. Where readers could add comments, there were some mixed responses on the bands and their plans for those last gigs. 

In some cases, that was seen as quite sad, marking the end of an era. For others, it was felt that some bands were long overdue in quitting the stage. That has all become quite poignant with subsequent events adding even more sadness. Despite the critics, it seems that some artists just can't be sure of when their final show might be, unless they call it themselves. And even then there are no guarantees.

Firstly, the article was looking ahead to what was to be the final ever gig for Jeff Lynne’s ELO at Hyde Park, London, earlier this month. Illness prevented Lynn from taking part, and the gig was called off the day before he and the band were due to appear. The band’s prior date in Manchester was also cancelled for the same reason.

Hopefully, he’ll recover quickly, but whether any final gig returns remains to be seen. I’m sure Lynne will feel disappointed with the way it ended, but the tour was a good farewell despite that, with Lynne and his team in fine form. The illness couldn't have been foreseen, and overall, the timing of the Over And Out Tour remains appropriate. 

Ozzy Osbourne and the finality of a farewell gig

Then the second of the artists mentioned in the End Of An Era article added further poignancy. That comes with the sad death of Ozzy Osbourne, just a couple of weeks after the huge Back to the Beginning concert that he and Black Sabbath performed at.

Osbourne closed the show magnificently, sitting on a gothic throne on stage. He may have been restricted physically by his illness, but he gave his all in what became a very significant final performance. 

The whole event that day had lots of great metal bands playing tribute to Osbourne and Back Sabbath. It was emotional at times, with a touch of controversy here and there. Some fans had concerns about Osbourne having to stay sitting, others worried that at one stage he seemed to have been left alone on stage as others departed, but that wasn’t what happened at all. 

Now, if we reflect back on Osbourne’s own words, captured by Rolling Stone, we can see that the gig and final appearances were just what he wanted. Osbourne had said he’d love to do one final show to say thanks to the fans.

He clearly recognized the finality of the potential movement, too. "If I can’t continue doing shows on a regular basis, I just want to be well enough to do one show where I can say, ‘Hi guys, thanks so much for my life.’ That’s what I’m working towards, and if I drop down dead at the end of it, I’ll die a happy man."

So, for those who felt a final farewell gig or tour was a great way to go, it seems as though Osbourne agreed with you. For those who called out artists and bands as money-grabbing and wanting a final payday, it’s time to think again. Osbourne’s Back To The Beginning event raised over $190 million for three great charities. What a way to go indeed. 

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