Black Sabbath’s epic farewell concert, “Back to the Beginning,” held on July 5, 2025 at Villa Park in Birmingham, marked the end of an era—and a triumph in charity, legacy, and celebration.
Attended by approximately 40,000–42,000 fans—with over 5.8 million tuning in via livestream—the day‑long event featured Ozzy Osbourne performing solo, seated on a gothic throne due to health constraints, before rejoining original members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward in a reunion not seen since 2005 . The concert lineup featured metal legends including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Anthrax, Pantera, Alice in Chains, Steven Tyler, Billy Corgan, Tom Morello, and more .
Hosted by Jason Momoa, the show took on the scale of a Live Aid–style celebration and culminated in a stirring performance of “Paranoid,” complete with fireworks, cake, and heartfelt thanks from Ozzy . Recorded tributes came from Dolly Parton, Elton John, Jack Black, Billy Idol, Jonathan Davis, among others .
Crucially, the entire event’s proceeds—estimated at around £100 million (approximately $140 million)—were donated to Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice . The extraordinary sum underscores not just the band’s cultural significance but their huge generosity and community impact.
In parallel, Ozzy Osbourne is set to be immortalized in statue form: McFarlane Toys recently unveiled a 1/10-scale limited-edition “Music Maniacs” statue depicting Ozzy in classic trench-coat attire, available for preorder—an honor reflecting his iconic status .
The concert itself fed into a broader “Summer of Sabbath” in Birmingham, featuring public tributes like a newly renamed bridge, a commemorative bench, murals, and civic honors such as the “Freedom of the City” bestowed upon the band .
This monumental farewell combined an emotional conclusion to a storied career, a historic reunion, a global celebration of heavy metal, multi-million-dollar charity impact, and an enduring legacy both in fans’ hearts and in sculpture
form.
