OZZY & Sabbath Break Record!
OZZY & Sabbath Break Record!
Heavy metal history was made at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, as Ozzy Osbourne said goodbye at his final show. The original Black Sabbath lineup reunited for the first time in two decades for the charity concert “Back to the Beginning.” The emotionally-charged farewell raised over $190 million, setting a new record as the highest-grossing charity concert of all time. The news couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s a remarkable gift for Terry “Geezer” Butler‘s birthday today (July 17).
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Proceeds will benefit Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice.
This landmark event surpassed other legendary charity concerts, including:
- America: A Tribute to Heroes (2001) – $129 million
- Fire Aid (2025) – $100+ million for LA wildfire victims
- Live Aid (1985) – $100+ million for Ethiopian famine relief
- Farm Aid (1985–present) – over $80 million across four decades
Three unforgettable highlights defined the evening:
- Ozzy’s Throne Set – Battling Parkinson’s, Ozzy performed hits like “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley” from a custom bat-shaped throne.
- Original Sabbath Reunion – The band regrouped for four final anthems: “War Pigs,” “N.I.B.,” “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid.”
- Star-Studded Lineup – The festival featured performances by Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Pantera, Tool, Slayer, and supergroups with Tom Morello, Billy Corgan, Steven Tyler, and Ronnie Wood.
RELATED STORY: Ozzy Says Goodnight – But We Will Never Say ‘Goodbye!’
More than a concert, “Back to the Beginning” was a powerful farewell that honored Black Sabbath’s legacy.
Rock and roll can still move the world.
Doug O’Brien
