Not only was Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne’s Back to the Beginning concert the biggest show in heavy metal history, but the star-studded event on Saturday 5th July has also raised millions for three local charities.

Not only was Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne’s Back to the Beginning concert the biggest show in heavy metal history, but the star-studded event on Saturday 5th July has also raised millions for three local charities.

The thunderous echoes of Black Sabbath’s farewell show at Villa Park on Saturday, July 5th, are still reverberating around the world — and not just for the music. Titled Back to the Beginning, the concert wasn’t only the biggest night in heavy metal history, it also became one of the most impactful charity events the genre has ever seen.

According to early figures released by guitarist and musical director Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine — who took the stage as part of the electrifying Supergroup B — the event has already raised millions for charity. Posting to social media on Tuesday, July 8th, Morello expressed his gratitude and astonishment at the scale of support generated by fans around the globe.

However, in true Osbourne style, the final word — and number — will come from Ozzy and Sharon themselves. Planet Rock has confirmed that the couple will formally announce the definitive donation total in the coming days. Sources close to the Osbournes say the couple wants to personally share the moment with fans as a tribute to the community that has supported them for decades.

Once confirmed, the total proceeds from the concert will be distributed among three profoundly meaningful organizations: Acorns Children’s Hospice, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Cure Parkinson’s — the latter being especially close to Ozzy’s heart as he continues to battle the effects of Parkinson’s disease.

The emotional weight of the night wasn’t lost on anyone in attendance. With over 42,000 fans packing the stadium in Birmingham — the birthplace of heavy metal — Back to the Beginning served as both a monumental finale and a heartfelt homecoming. Ozzy Osbourne, now 76, appeared visibly moved during his set, telling the crowd: “You have no idea what this means to me. Birmingham, you made me who I am.”

The concert’s lineup read like a who’s who of rock royalty. Metallica, Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant, Judas Priest’s Rob Halford, and Alice in Chains were just a few of the acts that took the stage in tribute to Black Sabbath’s colossal legacy. And yet, despite the show’s global scale and big-name guests, the cause remained local and personal.

“We wanted to make this show about more than just a goodbye,” said Sharon Osbourne during a backstage interview. “It’s about giving back to the city that gave everything to us.”

Indeed, the focus on Birmingham-based charities was intentional. Acorns Children’s Hospice provides specialist palliative care for life-limited children and their families. Birmingham Children’s Hospital remains one of the leading pediatric centers in the UK. And Cure Parkinson’s funds innovative research toward finding a cure for the debilitating disease Ozzy was diagnosed with in 2020.

The enormous success of the concert — both musically and philanthropically — is being hailed by fans and critics alike as a defining moment in rock history. Commentators from Rolling Stone, Kerrang!, and Aesplora have all praised the seamless blend of nostalgia, performance, and purpose.

For those who missed the event or want to relive its historic highs, full coverage and highlights are being rolled out exclusively on Aesplora, offering interviews, behind-the-scenes moments, and fan-shot clips that capture the raw emotion of the night.

As fans eagerly await the official donation announcement from the Osbournes, one thing is already certain: Back to the Beginning was more than a concert. It was a celebration of legacy, love, and the power of music to bring about real change.

Stay tuned for updates on the final tally — because if history tells us anything, Ozzy Osbourne always saves the biggest surprise for last.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *