Black Sabbath: £140 million raised for good causes by Ozzy Osbourne's emotional goodbye show
Black Sabbath's farewell concert has raised a staggering £140 million for children's and Parkinson's charities, the organiser has revealed.
Around 40,000 heavy metal fans from home and abroad flocked to Villa Park in Aston on Saturday (July 5) for the band's swansong gig held in the community where Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi grew up.
Concert organiser and Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello thanked Birmingham-born Ozzy for entrusting him with the responsibility for putting on the show in a post on social media platform Instagram, stating: "'Back to the Beginning' - more than $190m will be donated to houses and hospitals for children."
"Thank you @ozzyosbourne for trusting me to be the musical director of the Back To The Beginning show. It was over a year of hard work but heavy metal was the music that made me love music and it was a labour of love. We raised a ton of money for a great cause and so many great musicians & bands & fans all over the world paid tribute to the all time greats."
He was also full of praise for Walsall's Judas Priest.
"@tommorello Boom. We set out to not just create the greatest day in the history of heavy metal. Generals gathered in their masses. @tonyiommi @iamstevent rocked the joint to the ground. @adamjones_tv of @toolmusic & I played in a band together in high school in Libertyville but haven’t shared the stage in decades. I’m a huge @judaspriest fan and doing the synchronized metal chug with @kkspriest during “Breaking The Law” was epic. An indisputable statement after last weekend.
"@jackblack lifting my @romanmorello1 during their “Mr. Crowley” tribute brought a tear. Our great host @prideofgypsies Jason Momoa & I going through his script. And then a dude from @therollingstones showed up.
The farewell concert was put on so that Ozzy could retire from his performing career on a high - after he had previously been forced to cancel shows he had planned two years due to ill-health. He had several years of health problems, including Parkinson's disease. All profits from the event will be split between Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice which has centres in Birmingham, Walsall and Worcester.
In a statement Acorns Children’s Hospice said: "Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to The Beginning show was truly an iconic moment in music history. We were deeply honoured to be chosen as a charity partner for such a monumental event, and we're incredibly grateful to Black Sabbath, and to Ozzy and Sharon, for bringing our life-changing children's hospice care to the hearts and minds of a worldwide audience.
"To witness Acorns and the children and families we care for celebrated on this extraordinary global stage was something that will stay with us, a moment that will forever be etched in our hearts. While we eagerly await the final fundraising total, we know that every single pound raised will positively impact children with short lives and the families who love them.
"For families caring for children with life-limiting conditions across the West Midlands, this remarkable day served as a beacon of hope, showing them that the world sees them, supports them, and that they are never alone in their journey.
"The spotlight may have faded, but the need continues. We invite everyone touched by this incredible event to join us in supporting these remarkable families. Together, we can ensure that no child faces their toughest battles without the care and support they deserve.
Georgie Moseley, founder of Birmingham's Help Harry Help Others, said: "The Black Sabbath donation is a powerful reminder that local fundraising is what gets families through their darkest days. When legends like Sabbath give back to their hometown like this, it tells every local charity 'your work matters, and you’re not alone'.”
HHHO was founded in memory of her son Harry who once met Ozzy's wife and TV personality Sharon Osbourne when he won the Children’s Champion Award. Harry, aged 11, lost his battle with cancer in 2011.
Black Sabbath were formed in Birmingham in 1968 by four proud Villans – and their final act as a band was to give back to the city that shaped them. Not just as musical icons, but as hometown heroes.
The day was a celebration of his career with the band which was originally called Earth when it was formed in Birmingham 57 years ago. Black Sabbath has been credited as the musicians who invented heavy metal.
The gig featured live sets from bands including Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Slash from Guns & Roses and super group combinations. Fans were also given a treat when when Hollywood actor The Aquaman star Jason Momoa dived into the mosh pit after introducing Pantera on stage.
