Ozzy's Farewell Show Becomes Top-Grossing Charity Gig Ever

Tom Morello, the Rage Against The Machine guitarist who was the musical director of Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Back to the Beginning’ show in Birmingham on July 5, has revealed the concert raised more than $200 million for charity.

The gig:

• Held only 17 days before Osbourne passed away on July 22, ‘Back to the Beginning’ featured Osbourne and Black Sabbath performing short sets alongside a who’s who of metal acts.

• It was billed as Ozzy’s farewell to his fans, and included performances by Metallica, Tool, Mastodon, Anthrax and Halestorm (among others), and a cast of greats who performed all-star tribute sets.

Funds raised:

• Though initial estimates were at $140 million, and Morello last week posted the show had raised $190 million, the tally has now been updated to $200 million courtesy of concert tickets that were raffled off.

• This makes it the highest grossing charity gig of all time, doubling the $100 million raised by this year’s FireAid show in Los Angeles.

• The money is to be split equally between three charities: Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Acorns Children’s Hospice, and Cure Parkinson’s.

• Osbourne was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019.