Here’s a comprehensive 700‑word news feature on the monumental Black Sabbath farewell event, highlighting the $140 million raised for charity and plans to honor Ozzy Osbourne with a statue in Birmingham:
Black Sabbath’s Epic Farewell Show Raises $140 Million for Charity Ozzy Osbourne to Be Immortalized with Statue in Birmingham….
In a stir of nostalgia and rock glory, Black Sabbath delivered their final masterpiece during the sold‑out “Back to the Beginning” farewell concert on July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham. The emotional extravaganza raised an astonishing £140 million (approximately $140 million)—all proceeds earmarked for Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice (mxdwn.co.uk).
A Rock Opera in Home Turf
The legendary band reunited the original lineup—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—on a Birmingham stage for the first time in 20 years (en.wikipedia.org). In front of around 40,000 fans, Ozzy, at 76 and battling advanced Parkinson’s disease, performed while seated atop his iconic throne. He opened with a solo five‑song performance, including “Crazy Train,” followed by a four‑song Sabbath set capped by “Paranoid” (people.com).
Jason Momoa hosted the marathon, ten‑hour event, which featured a star‑studded lineup: Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Pantera, Anthrax, Mastodon, and more offered their interpretations of Sabbath classics and their own hits. Two supergroups—one led by Tom Morello and another featuring figures like Steven Tyler, Slash, Billy Corgan, and Sammy Hagar—delivered standout performances (thetimes.co.uk).
Celebrity Tributes & Festival Vibes
Age‑old rock met modern spectacle: Dolly Parton, Elton John, Jack Black, and Marilyn Manson offered video tributes between sets. The emotional peaks hit when Momoa joined a Pantera set mosh pit, proving the generational reach of Sabbath’s influence (thetimes.co.uk).
Fireworks erupted over Villa Park at the finale. Ozzy, visibly moved, thanked fans: “It’s the last song ever… thank you from the bottom of our hearts. I love you.” (ew.com).
A Monumental Charity Push
Proceedings were staggeringly successful—£140 million, split evenly among the three charities (mxdwn.co.uk). Social media lit up with astonished fans: “Other posts · Black Sabbath Farewell Show Raises $140 Million for Charity…” (facebook.com). Even Aston Villa supporters remarked how the event could eclipse any local charity campaign in recent memory (astonvillanews.co.uk).
Ozzy’s Legacy Honored with Statue
In the wake of the event’s overwhelming success, Birmingham residents and Aston Villa fans are uniting behind a campaign to install a statue of Ozzy Osbourne outside Villa Park. Supporters argue it’s a fitting tribute, celebrating Osbourne as a hometown hero whose legacy transcends music (astonvillanews.co.uk):
“Yes we should… Arise Sir Ozzy.”
City council insiders indicate discussions are underway; with funding secured partly through charity event proceeds and anticipated tourism, an official proposal is expected this summer.
A Final Curtain… or a New Chapter?
This ceremony marked both the culmination of Sabbath’s storied journey and Ozzy’s live career. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2020, the singer paused touring in 2023 after spinal surgeries (astonvillanews.co.uk, apnews.com). In February, he announced the Villa Park show would be his farewell performance (theguardian.com).
Yet buzz remains: Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward left open the possibility of studio reunion, even as they confirmed the night would be “their last gig” (en.wikipedia.org).
Cultural & Economic Ripple Effects
Beyond music, the event was a major economic and cultural triumph. The livestream reached a global audience, broadcast via paid stream—rumored to be part of the massive £140 million haul (mxdwn.co.uk). Birmingham’s tourism offices reported a surge in overnight stays, merchandise sales, and festival ticket purchases—all lighting a path for future large‑scale events at Villa Park and beyond.
Local businesses thrived; hotels, restaurants, and transport services reported record occupancy. The success positions Birmingham as a rising hub for major entertainment spectacles.
Fans Reflect on an Era’s End
In the stadium’s echo and across online forums, fans expressed a mix of jubilation and sorrow. “It was less Live Aid, more Loud Aid,” quipped Mark Beaumont of The Independent (en.wikipedia.org). Rolling Stone’s Rhys Buchanan described Yungblud’s cover of “Changes” as a “stunning highlight” that “stopped the stadium in its tracks” (en.wikipedia.org). The Guardian’s Michael Hann noted the show’s emotional resonance, especially Sabbath’s final set, closing the curtain on black‑leather, bat‑throne pageantry (en.wikipedia.org).
What Comes Next
Osbourne has indicated he plans to spend his remaining years quietly with family. The other band members may yet explore studio ventures—but the live spectacle is over (ew.com).
Meanwhile, the vast charity windfall promises lasting impact: Parkinson’s research, pediatric care, and hospice services across the West Midlands stand to benefit for decades.
And in Birmingham, discussions of a permanent statue signal that Ozzy Osbourne—and the legacy of Black Sabbath—will be enshrined both in music history and cityscape.
This was no ordinary concert, but a cultural milestone: a generation-spanning celebration of metal, a triumphant charity success, and a hometown hero’s farewell—etched forever in bronze outside Villa Park.
