Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Concert: The Guitars and Amps That Made History

🎸 Back to the Beginning: Ozzy Osbourne’s Farewell Concert & the Gear Behind the Music

On July 5, 2025, the world witnessed the end of an era as Ozzy Osbourne took the stage for his final live performance. Held at Villa Park in Birmingham, the Back to the Beginning concert reunited Ozzy with his Black Sabbath bandmates for a powerful, emotional farewell. But beyond the music, one of the show’s most striking elements was the gear—the amplifiers and guitars that shaped the sound of the night.

At AcousticYard, we’re taking a closer look at two legendary brands that played a role in this historic performance: Laney and Fender.

🔊 Tony Iommi’s Signature Sound with Laney Amps

As always, Tony Iommi delivered crushing riffs and soaring solos with the unmistakable tone that helped define heavy metal. His sound was powered by none other than Laney Amplification, a brand he’s used since the very beginning of Black Sabbath.

His Live Rig Included:

• Laney TI100 Signature Head

• Laney TI412 Speaker Cabinets

These British-made tube amps are designed specifically to match Iommi’s unique playing style—tight low-end, saturated mids, and a warm, organic distortion that’s instantly recognizable.

🎯 Laney amps aren’t just for metal—they offer vintage British tone that suits everything from blues to rock and doom. Their presence on such a legendary stage confirms their place among the greats.

🎸 Fender Guitars: Clean, Classic, and Timeless

While much of the concert was dominated by heavy tones, several standout moments featured the clean, articulate sound of Fender guitars—a striking contrast that added depth and character to the set.

Andrew Watt, Ozzy’s musical director and producer, performed key parts of the show using:

• A 1958 Fender Stratocaster

• A 1965 Fender Telecaster

These guitars were featured during Ozzy’s more melodic solo material, such as “Mama, I’m Coming Home”, where the clean tones of the Strat and the brightness of the Tele added emotional texture to the performance.

🎯 Fender guitars have long been known for their versatility, and their role in this concert proved how well they complement heavier instruments—balancing clarity with warmth and expression.

🎶 Fender and Laney in All-Star Performances

Beyond the main set, the show also featured supergroup performances with guest musicians paying tribute to Ozzy and Black Sabbath. Several guitarists—including Nuno Bettencourt and Adam Jones—chose Fender Stratocasters for their iconic feel and expressive tone.

At the same time, Laney amps made additional appearances throughout the evening—used by guitarists aiming to capture the classic British tube sound that defines much of Sabbath’s legacy.

These choices weren’t random—they reflect decades of tone development and a deep connection between the music and the gear used to create it.