Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 5, 2025 · Entertainment

Marilyn Manson's Controversial Tribute at Black Sabbath's Farewell Show Sparks Outrage

Marilyn Manson (pictured in December 2019) sparked controversy as he appeared at Black Sabbath's farewell concert on Saturday night

Marilyn Manson's Bitter Farewell: Rock Star Sparks Fury with Black Sabbath Tribute

In a shocking turn of events, Marilyn Manson sparked outrage among fans when he paid tribute to his "friend" Ozzy Osbourne at Black Sabbath's farewell concert on Saturday night. The 56-year-old rock star appeared in a pre-recorded video message, gushing over Ozzy and declaring his love for the metal legend. However, the gesture was met with scorn from many who were still reeling from Manson's cancelled gig in Brighton just last month.

The cancellation of the concert, which was set to take place on October 29th, was a result of mounting pressure from campaigners who accused Manson of being a "piece of s*" and called for the show to be axed. The move followed an open letter to Brighton and Hove City Council from Green Party MP Sian Berry, co-signed by several victim support groups, urging the council to take action against what they perceived as a potential risk to local residents and visitors.

Ozzy Osbourne (pictured in October) is taking to the stage for his final ever performance with Black Sabbath amid his ailing health in a momentous occasion

But what's behind Manson's tarnished reputation? It all began with allegations of sex abuse, rape, and torture made by over a dozen women. While Manson has vehemently denied all accusations, the mounting evidence and numerous lawsuits have painted a damning picture of the singer's past behavior.

In January, US prosecutors announced that they would not be pursuing charges against Marilyn due to lack of sufficient evidence. However, this decision did little to alleviate concerns among fans who were still reeling from the revelations. The news only fueled the fire, with some taking to social media to express their outrage and disgust.

"Disgraceful that he is on this otherwise outstanding Black Sabbath show," one fan wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). "F* Marilyn Manson, he's a piece of s*; Ew Marilyn Manson go away." The backlash was swift and merciless, with many calling for the singer to be shunned from the music industry altogether.

The rock star, 56, featured in a video message as the concert got underway and paid tribute to his 'friend' Ozzy on his final ever show, footage shared to social media showed

But what about Manson's supporters? Don't they have anything to say in his defense? According to sources close to the singer, many believe that the allegations against him are nothing more than a coordinated smear campaign designed to destroy his reputation. They argue that despite the lack of concrete evidence, the sheer number of women who came forward with similar claims is evidence enough to prove Manson's guilt.

However, this line of thinking has been thoroughly debunked by experts and law enforcement officials alike. In January, Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced that his office would not be pursuing charges against Manson due to insufficient evidence. While the DA acknowledged the courage and resilience of the women who came forward with their stories, he made it clear that without concrete proof, there was no basis for prosecution.

So what's next for Marilyn Manson? Despite the cancellation of his Brighton concert, the singer has vowed to continue with his UK tour, which is set to kick off on October 31st in Bournemouth. Whether or not he'll be met with similar backlash remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the controversy surrounding Manson will only continue to simmer until justice is served.

In related news, it's worth noting that Manson has a history of settling lawsuits out of court. Last year, he settled two separate suits with women who accused him of abuse and harassment. The most notable of these was with Game of Thrones actress Esme Bianco, who spoke out after the announcement to express her disappointment but not surprise.

Manson's ex-girlfriend, actress Evan Rachel Wood, also accused him of sex crimes in a 2022 HBO documentary Phoenix Rising: Don't Fall. While Manson denied all accusations, his reputation has never fully recovered from the scandal.

As for Ozzy Osbourne, who remains one of Manson's closest friends and musical inspirations, he continues to perform at his final ever live show amidst his ongoing health struggles. Whether or not his friendship with Manson will be affected by this controversy remains to be seen.

Some fans were unimpressed by Manson's video message airing at Villa Park and took to X - formerly known as Twitter - to share their fury

One thing is certain – the drama surrounding Marilyn Manson shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Ozzy is performing at his final ever live show on Saturday night amid his ailing health and the show features performances from other major bands, including Anthrax (pictured at the gig)

Manson (pictured in September 2023), whose legal name is Brian Warner, was accused by a dozen women of sex abuse, rape, and torture. He has vehemently denied all the allegations

His ex-girlfriend, actress Evan Rachel Wood (pictured together in 2006), also accused him of sex crimes but never filed a lawsuit, with Manson vehemently denying all accusations