BLACK Sabbath guitar hero Tony Iommi last night made a surprise return to the stage, blasting out the iconic Paranoid riff, in his first live stage appearance since the death of his close friend and bandmate Ozzy Osbourne.

The 77-year-old rock icon stunned theatregoers when he came out onstage to play the signature riff during the opening night finale of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Black Sabbath – The Ballet at the band’s hometown Birmingham Hippodrome.

Birmingham Royal Ballet director Carlos Acosta and Tony Iommi

Tony joined the cast of the show, including the production’s regular guitarist, Marc Hayward, to play the song with which Sabbath had ended their Back To The Beginning farewell spectacular at the city’s Villa Park on July 5 this year, marking Ozzy’s final performance.

The frontman sadly died just weeks later, on July 22. It was, everybody agreed, as if the wild man of rock had been hanging on to play one last show with the original line-up of the band before it was too late, so determined was he to thank the fans he loved.

Last night’s opening of the Sabbath ballet, the first date of a second UK tour, was staged in Ozzy’s memory and dedicated to his life and legacy, with the troupe, and the audience, paying their respects to the singer who had soundtracked the lives of more than one generation.

“Birmingham Royal Ballet would like to take this opprtunity to pay tribute to Ozzy and his extraordinary legacy, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends and fans the world over,” the company said. 

In an interview before the production began its second run, Iommi said he wished that Ozzy had been at his side. “It means everything and it’s a shame in a lot of ways that he didn’t get to see the ballet because he wanted to see it. It’s our lives and music.”

Big City Radio reviewer CeeCee posted on Facebook: “A once-in-a-lifetime moment. As the curtain built towards its climax, the legendary Tony Iommi himself appeared with his guitar. The roar from the audience was deafening.

“To see the great man play live, entwined with the dancers’ athleticism and the orchestra’s fire, was nothing short of historic. It was goosebump theatre, a celebration of Birmingham pride, and an absolute treat for every single person lucky enough to be in the room.

“This production is more than a ballet – it’s a phenomenon. A bridge between genres, a love letter to Ozzy, Tony, and the Sabbath legacy, and proof that Birmingham Royal Ballet is unafraid to push boundaries in the most thrilling of ways.

Guitarist Marc Hayward in a scene from the show

“Black Sabbath – The Ballet is a night of power, beauty, and pure rock ‘n’ roll soul. A standing ovation wasn’t enough – this show deserves to go down in legend.”

Sabbath fan Gráinne posted on X: “Fantastic evening watching Birmingham Royal Ballet perform Black Sabbath – The Ballet, including a surprise appearance by a very special guest at the end. I think I floated home. Thanks to all for such a great show, and to Tony Iommi for ending it on a high!”

Influential arts blogger Culture Bab wrote: “The quality of dancing and the orchestra is so high it’s hard to know where to focus at times, as you just have to embrace the feast of creativity. The brilliant lighting also deserves a mention, showcasing dancers, band signs and icons, and guitarist superbly.

“The first night of this new residency was dedicated to Ozzy Osbourne by Carlos Acosta, to rapturous Brummie applause. The finale also saw a surprise appearance from Tony Iommi (musical consultant on the show) emerging from the darkness of the back of stage, guitar in hand.

“Dancers and audience alike exploded, and though the production can’t promise Tony every night, this really is a show not to be missed during its run.”

Blogger EmmaFashionmommy posted: “Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Black Sabbath – The Ballet was, once again, simply incredible. What a stunning tribute to Ozzy, and seeing Tony play Paranoid again was a goosebumps moment.”

Guitarist Marc Hayward and dancers

Comedienne and influencer Barbara Nice, also in the first night audience, wrote: “Watching Black Sabbath – The Ballet at Birmingham Hippodrome. It’s blinking fantastic!”

Fittingly, Tony’s appearance came 55 years to the day that the Paranoid album was released on September 18, 1970. Sabbath’s second album, and the single plucked from it, was the set that powered them to stardom.

Ozzy Osbourne Coming Home: BBC

It comes as the BBC announces the new broadcast date for its hour-long documentary Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home, which traces the last three years of the rock star’s life as he and wife Sharon moved back to the UK from Los Angeles, and his “heroic” battle to return to the stage at Sabbath’s reunion concert at Villa Park in July.

The rockumentary was originally set for screening on August 18 this year, but was postponed that same day with the BBC saying it was “respecting the family’s wishes to wait a bit longer before airing this very special film”. It will now be shown on BBC One and iPlayer at 9pm on October 2.

Meanwhile, the big Paramount+ film Ozzy: No Escape From Now, described as “an intimate look at Ozzy’s final act” and which follows his battle against injury and illness, and was filmed right up to Sabbath’s Back To The Beginning farewell, debuts on October 7.

Black Sabbath – The Ballet runs at Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday September 27 before setting off on UK tour. Tickets are still available at www.birminghamhippodrome.com. Lead image: Katja Ogrin. Production images: Johan Persson.