Jack Osbourne has dismissed exaggerated reports on the funds raised by Black Sabbath's farewell concert, 'Back To The Beginning'. The event, held in Birmingham, generated donations for three charities, though figures vary between family statements. The show marked the last performance by the band's classic lineup before Ozzy Osbourne's death.
Black Sabbath's 'Back To The Beginning' concert took place at Villa Park in Birmingham on July 5, 2025, serving as the metal pioneers' final show with their original members: Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. This marked their first full lineup performance together since 2005, featuring a concise four-song set of classics. The event gained extra significance when Osbourne passed away less than three weeks later.
Organized as a charity benefit, the concert aimed to support Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice. Initial claims by musical director Tom Morello, guitarist for Rage Against The Machine, suggested it raised over $190 million on Instagram, to be divided equally among the organizations. However, Osbourne's widow, Sharon, rejected this as 'ridiculous' and questioned its origin.
In a recent interview on the Painful Lessons podcast, their son Jack Osbourne called Morello's figure 'complete bullshit,' noting that media outlets like CNN and the New York Times reported $150 million, which he also denied. He explained that despite it being a charity gig with no payments to bands and most crew donating time, costs still applied. Jack estimated each charity received 1.5 to 2 million pounds, totaling 6 to 7 million pounds for the three.
Sharon provided a slightly higher figure of around $11 million (£8.24 million) during a November episode of The Osbournes podcast. She highlighted the event's generosity, stating that all performers and staff contributed for free, with the family covering travel, accommodation, and other expenses. Osbourne addressed the crowd during the show, saying, 'It’s the last song ever. Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.'
These clarifications underscore the challenges in verifying charity totals amid high-profile events, emphasizing the actual contributions despite inflated early reports.