Black Sabbath’s ‘Back to the Beginning’ Concert Raises an Astounding £140 Million for Charity, With Ozzy Osbourne and Tom Morello at the Helm
In one of the most powerful and heartfelt moments in rock history, Black Sabbath’s “Back to the Beginning” concert has achieved something beyond music—it raised an astonishing £140 million ($190 million) for charity. Held at Birmingham’s iconic Villa Park, this emotional farewell was more than a tribute to heavy metal legends—it was a symbol of community, legacy, and hope.
The show’s musical director, Tom Morello—best known as the guitarist for Rage Against the Machine—shared the news on social media, expressing deep gratitude and pride in the cause and the experience.
“More than 190 million dollars will be donated to houses and hospitals for children,” Morello wrote. “Thank you, Ozzy Osbourne, 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.”
This massive donation will be split among three incredibly worthy causes: Acorns Children’s Hospice, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Cure Parkinson’s—charities that are deeply personal to both Ozzy Osbourne and the band.
A Night to Remember
The Back to the Beginning concert was more than a final bow—it was a once-in-a-lifetime gathering of rock royalty. Supergroup B, a handpicked ensemble curated by Morello, featured members of Metallica, Alice in Chains, Tool, and others. They performed iconic Sabbath tracks as well as heartfelt tributes to the band’s legacy.
Ozzy Osbourne, battling ongoing health issues, still took the stage in a spine-tingling appearance that had the entire crowd of 42,000 in tears and celebration. As he sang “Paranoid” and “Crazy Train,” fans sang every word back, with fists in the air and emotions on full display.
The setlist included classics like “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” and “Children of the Grave,” while also welcoming special appearances from rock legends including Dave Grohl, Slash, and Geezer Butler, who returned to the bass for one final performance. Bill Ward and Tony Iommi completed the original Sabbath lineup one last time—an emotional reunion decades in the making.
The Man Behind the Mission
Tom Morello’s role in orchestrating this grand tribute was instrumental. Not only did he gather and rehearse with musicians from across genres and generations, but he also helped ensure that the concert’s mission stayed true to its roots—giving back to the community that birthed Black Sabbath and raised Ozzy.
Morello continued in his post:
“We raised a ton of money for a great cause, and so many great musicians and bands fans all over the world paid tribute to the all-time greats.”
His involvement extended beyond the music—Morello personally helped coordinate charity partnerships and fundraising strategies, ensuring that every ticket, livestream, and merchandise sale contributed to the cause.
A Legacy That Echoes
The donations will now go toward enhancing healthcare for children and supporting those battling Parkinson’s disease. Acorns Children’s Hospice and Birmingham Children’s Hospital—both local institutions—will benefit directly, while Cure Parkinson’s continues its groundbreaking work in treatment and research, a cause close to Ozzy’s heart since his own diagnosis.
As the echoes of that unforgettable night fade into memory, the impact of Back to the Beginning will live on—not just in fans’ hearts, but in the lives of countless children and families who will receive care, comfort, and hope thanks to this extraordinary gesture.
With this concert, Black Sabbath didn’t just celebrate the past—they helped shape a better future. You can see more coverage of Back to the Beginning and exclusive behind-the-scenes
