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Heavy metal legends Black Sabbath have proved that even the heaviest bands can have the biggest hearts, raising an astonishing $200 million for charity with their grand farewell concert.
Billed as “Back To The Beginning,” the sold-out event marked the final curtain for Birmingham’s most famous musical export, with Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler performing together for one last time. Fans around the globe tuned in via a pay-per-view livestream, while thousands packed into Birmingham’s stadium for the once-in-a-lifetime show.
Ahead of the gig, the band announced that all proceeds would be split between three charities: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acom Children’s Hospice.
Now, music director and guest guitarist Tom Morello, best known for his work with Rage Against The Machine, has revealed just how much was raised.
Posting to Instagram, Morello wrote: “More than $190 million will be donated to houses and hospitals for children.” He added: “We raised a ton of money for a great cause and so many great musicians, bands, and fans all over the world paid tribute to the ALL TIME greats.”
The final figure is expected to climb even higher once all international pay-per-view revenue is accounted for, with insiders estimating the total will top $200 million.
Credit: instagram.com/tommorello
The concert itself was a celebration of a band that defined a genre. Opening with Black Sabbath and closing, fittingly, with Paranoid, the evening featured guest appearances from Metallica’s James Hetfield, Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl and more.
For frontman Ozzy, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, the show was an emotional homecoming and a chance to give back. He told the audience: “Birmingham, you made us who we are. And tonight, we give it all back. Thank you, we love you all.”
Fans of a certain generation who grew up with Sabbath’s ground-breaking albums have hailed the concert as the perfect farewell, a fitting end to more than 50 years of rock history.
As one fan posted on social media afterwards: “Only Sabbath could bow out this loud, and this generous.”
