Image: Ozzy Osbourne – Mama, I'm Coming Home Live at Back to the Beginning [YouTube]
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne not only delivered a one-of-a-kind farewell concert in Birmingham with “Back To The Beginning”, they also set a remarkable record. With a star-studded lineup from Metallica to Tool, tickets sold out in no time — and now it’s paying off. According to figures confirmed by Billboard, “Back To The Beginning” is now the highest-grossing charity concert in music history!
“Back To The Beginning” breaks records set by “FireAid” and “Live Aid”
Black Sabbath’s final concert experience truly brought the band back to where it all began. Birmingham was their starting point, and now the final chapter is written. A massive turnout was to be expected for the last performance by the godfathers of metal, but joined by numerous metal and rock giants, this concert was even called “the greatest metal show in history.”
According to Billboard, a total of $190 million were raised, putting “Back To The Beginning” well ahead of past benefit concerts such as “FireAid” in 2025 and “Live Aid” in 1985, both of which raised around $100 million. What was already an emotional night that made music history also became a monumental act of generosity: donations will benefit the Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Acorn Children’s Hospice, and Cure Parkinson’s.
Update: Sharon Osbourne says the numbers are premature
Despite sources like Tom Morello, the musical director of "Back To The Beginning", and Billdboard stating the high numbers allegedly made for charity, Sharon Osbourne has now denied those claims and says:
"One of the things that's frightening me is all this false press about [how], we've made $140 million and all of this, and I'm like, God, I wish we could have, for one gig. [...] It's just ridiculous, the different stories. I went on the internet the next morning and it was like, $140 million, $160 million. And I'm like, Where does this stuff come from?"
She continues:
"It takes a really long time, because we've had all of the bands that we had come in and their expenses, and it'll take a good six weeks to get the final number."
