OZZY OSBOURNE AND BLACK SABBATH’S FINAL SHOW BECOMES HIGHEST-GROSSING CHARITY CONCERT IN HISTORY
Ozzy Osbourne and the original members of Black Sabbath took their final bow together on July 5th, 2025, in what was billed as the “Back to the Beginning” concert, held at Villa Park in their hometown of Birmingham. More than just a farewell to metal’s most iconic frontman, the event made history by becoming the highest-grossing charity concert of all time, raising an estimated £140 million (over $190 million) for three major UK charities: Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Acorn Children’s Hospice, and the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.
The show was a powerful and emotional moment, not just for fans but for Ozzy himself. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s and having battled through a series of health issues, Ozzy performed seated on a custom-designed, bat-shaped throne—yet his presence still roared. It was the first time in 20 years that the original Black Sabbath lineup performed together on stage, making the night feel more like a once-in-a-lifetime global event than just a concert.
Tom Morello curated the lineup, which was stacked with heavy hitters including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Pantera, Slayer, Mastodon, and Anthrax. The night also featured wild supergroup collaborations, bringing together the likes of Steven Tyler, Ronnie Wood, and Billy Corgan for unforgettable performances. The 45,000-capacity stadium sold out in minutes, and the livestream drew a jaw-dropping 5.8 million viewers at its peak.
Despite its mega-production and rock 'n' roll chaos, the heart of the event was its charitable mission. The funds raised will be split evenly among the three selected charities, supporting critical medical equipment, hospice care, and Parkinson’s research. More money poured in through exclusive merch, auctions, and VIP donations, catapulting the final total into record-setting territory. Billboard and other major outlets have since confirmed the show as the most successful charity concert in history, surpassing Live Aid, Farm Aid, and every benefit gig before it.
For Ozzy, the show was a full-circle moment. A final homecoming. A last hurrah that wasn’t just about nostalgia or legacy—it was about giving back to the community that raised him and the fans who stuck by him through decades of madness, mayhem, and music.
In the words of one fan: “This wasn’t just history. It was a heavy metal church.” And for millions around the world, Ozzy and Sabbath gave the sermon of a lifetime—one final, thunderous amen.