**Rocker Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath Raise Millions for Charity in Emotional Final Concert**
*Birmingham, UK — July 7, 2025* — In a night charged with emotion, nostalgia, and thunderous riffs, legendary rock icon Ozzy Osbourne and his former bandmates from Black Sabbath took the stage one last time for a historic final concert titled *“Back to the Beginning.”* Held at the Utilita Arena in their hometown of Birmingham, the event marked not only the end of an era but a powerful act of giving, as proceeds from the sold-out show raised over £12 million for three prominent British charities.
More than 20,000 fans from across the globe descended on Birmingham over the weekend to witness what has been billed as Black Sabbath’s ultimate farewell. The band, which originally formed in the same city over five decades ago, reunited for this singular performance, capping off a legacy that helped define heavy metal.
The one-night-only event saw original members Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, and Geezer Butler take the stage together for the first time in nearly a decade. Although founding drummer Bill Ward was absent due to health issues, session drummer Tommy Clufetos filled in seamlessly, delivering the iconic Sabbath thunder with precision and power.
The setlist took fans on a journey through the band’s most iconic tracks, including *“Paranoid,” “Iron Man,” “War Pigs,”* and *“Black Sabbath.”* Osbourne, 76, defied expectations with a powerful vocal performance, energizing the crowd with his signature antics, including a memorable moment when he doused the front rows with a giant bucket of water mid-song.
“This is where it all started,” Osbourne said during an emotional pause between songs. “And tonight, we give it back. This is for Birmingham — and for everyone who’s stood by us all these years.”
Proceeds from *Back to the Beginning* will be donated to three British charities close to the band’s heart: the Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, the Prince’s Trust, and the mental health organization Mind. Representatives from each group were present at the concert and appeared visibly moved by the gesture and the overwhelming response.
Tony Iommi, who spearheaded the charity partnership, spoke backstage about the band’s decision to make their final performance a philanthropic one. “We knew this had to be more than just a concert. It had to mean something. Giving back to the city that gave us everything felt like the only fitting way to say goodbye.”
Fans, many of whom queued for hours to get inside the arena, described the experience as both exhilarating and bittersweet. “It’s the end of a chapter,” said Leila Jennings, a fan from Manchester. “But what a way to go out — with love, fire, and purpose.”
A documentary of the event, also titled *“Back to the Beginning,”* is currently in post-production and is expected to premiere on streaming platforms later this year. All additional proceeds from the film’s release will be directed toward the same three charities.
While the curtain may have finally fallen on Black Sabbath’s live performances, the legacy of their music — and now, their generosity — will continue to resonate. As Ozzy Osbourne himself declared during the final encore: “We started with a bang, and now we end with a gift. Thank you, and goodnight!”
*Reported by Hannah Clarke, The Souost*y Osbourne and Black Sabbath Raise Millions for Charity in Es for Charity in harity in motional Final Concert**
*BIRMINGHAM, UK — July 7, 2025* — In a night of roaring guitars, thunderous drums, and teary-eyed farewells, legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne reunited with Black Sabbath for a one-night-only event titled *“Back to the Beginning.”* The concert, held at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena, was the band’s final performance and raised over £12 million for three major British charities.
More than 20,000 fans packed the arena, with thousands more watching via a global livestream. It was a night heavy with nostalgia as the original members — Osbourne, Tony Iommi, and Geezer Butler — returned to their hometown to celebrate a career that helped define heavy metal. Though founding drummer Bill Ward was unable to perform due to ongoing health concerns, long-time Sabbath touring drummer Tommy Clufetos delivered a powerhouse performance that honored Ward’s legacy.
The evening’s 18-song setlist spanned the band’s five-decade history, from 1970’s *“Black Sabbath”* to fan favorites like *“War Pigs,” “Children of the Grave,”* and *“Paranoid.”* The stage design paid tribute to their early days in Birmingham, with vintage footage playing on massive LED screens and a set replicating a gritty 1970s rehearsal room. The performance was both thunderous and sentimental, capturing the raw energy of Sabbath’s youth with the depth and gravity of their legacy.
Ozzy, 76, visibly emotional but full of energy, addressed the crowd after *“Iron Man.”* “This is the city that made us,” he said, voice cracking. “And tonight, we give back to it. You’ve stood with us all these years — now we stand with you.”
Proceeds from ticket sales, merchandise, and the livestream are being split evenly between the Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, the Prince’s Trust, and mental health organization Mind. Representatives from each charity were present for the concert and received special recognition during the show. A moment of silence was observed for fans and musicians lost over the years, followed by a stirring performance of *“Changes,”* dedicated to Osbourne’s late friend and fellow musician Lemmy Kilmister.
Tony Iommi, the band’s guitarist and co-founder, later shared, “We didn’t want this to just be a farewell — we wanted it to be a celebration, and a way to support causes that matter deeply to all of us.”
Fans traveled from around the world to attend. “It was electric,” said Rachel Tamlin, a 41-year-old fan from Toronto. “The sound, the energy, the heart — you could feel the history in every chord. It was more than a concert. It was a homecoming.”
A commemorative documentary, also titled *“Back to the Beginning,”* is set to be released on streaming platforms in December. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia, it will feature behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, and concert highlights. All streaming profits will be added to the total donation amount.
As the band closed the night with *“Children of the Grave”* and a fireworks display lit up the Birmingham sky, Ozzy gave a final wave and said, “We came from the dark, and we brought you the sound. Thank you, Birmingham. Thank you, world.”
With that, Black Sabbath ended their journey as they began it — loud, proud, and with a deep connection to the city that birthed them. Their legacy will live on not only in music history but in the lives improved by this final, generous act.
