Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath have cemented their place in history with a record-breaking farewell concert. Held on July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, their “Back to the Beginning” show has officially become the highest-earning charity concert ever, generating over $190 million. The funds will benefit Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Acorn Children’s Hospice, and Cure Parkinson’s. The event marked Ozzy’s final live performance, drawing a crowd of 40,000 in-person fans and 5.8 million online viewers worldwide.

Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath Make History with Record-Breaking Farewell Charity Concert

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND — July 5, 2025 — In a night that will echo through music and philanthropic history, Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath delivered a final performance that was as unforgettable as it was impactful. The band’s farewell concert, aptly titled “Back to the Beginning,” not only marked the legendary frontman’s final appearance on stage—it also became the highest-grossing charity concert of all time, raising an astonishing $190 million.

Held at Villa Park, the historic home of Aston Villa Football Club, the show united 40,000 live attendees with a staggering 5.8 million online viewers worldwide. Fans from every corner of the globe tuned in to witness a monumental send-off for one of heavy metal’s founding acts, in the very city where it all began.

A Homecoming and a Legacy

The concert served as a full-circle moment for Ozzy and the band, returning to Birmingham, their birthplace, to give back to the community that shaped them. Proceeds from the event are being donated to three charitable organizations: Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Acorn Children’s Hospice, and Cure Parkinson’s—the last of which holds personal significance for Osbourne, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2020.

In a moving moment during the concert, Ozzy addressed the crowd:
“This is more than just a goodbye—it’s a thank you. To Birmingham, to the fans, to everyone who’s walked this road with us. We’re ending it where it all started. And it feels perfect.”

Historic Impact

The event shattered previous charity concert records, surpassing iconic fundraisers like Live Aid (1985) and One Love Manchester (2017). Organizers credit the incredible global reach of streaming platforms, a meticulously curated stage production, and the sheer cultural weight of Black Sabbath’s final bow for the monumental fundraising total.

The lineup featured classic Sabbath anthems like “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid,” performed with blistering energy by surviving original members Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler. Former drummer Bill Ward made a surprise appearance for a symbolic final jam, completing the circle for fans and bandmates alike.

A Farewell to Remember

“Back to the Beginning” was more than just a concert—it was a cultural event. Fans gathered not only to honor the music, but to witness history. The emotional gravity of Ozzy’s final performance, combined with a purpose rooted in healing and hope, left a lasting mark on millions.

Charity representatives have expressed overwhelming gratitude. A spokesperson from Birmingham Children’s Hospital called the donations “life-changing,” adding:
“What Ozzy and the band have done will impact generations of children in this region. We are in awe.”

Final Bow, Eternal Echo

For Ozzy Osbourne, a career that spanned over five decades, countless controversies, and unmatched musical influence has concluded not in chaos, but in compassion. Black Sabbath may have played their last note on stage, but their legacy—musical and humanitarian—will reverberate far beyond the final encore.

As the lights dimmed over Villa Park and fireworks painted the Birmingham sky, one thing was clear: Black Sabbath didn’t just go out with a bang—they went out making history.