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70s Rock Icon’s Final Concert Draws 5 Million Fans, Earns Over $150 Million
July 11, 2025
In a fitting sendoff for a rock icon, Black Sabbath, led by singer Ozzy Osbourne, performed their final concert, “Back to the Beginning,” on July 5 at Birmingham’s Villa Park. The tearful concert drew record-breaking 5 to 5.8 million livestream viewers and earned over £140 million (approximately $175 million) .
A Concert for the Ages
Hosted in Black Sabbath’s hometown on their original stomping grounds, the event featured Ozzy performing solo hits while seated on a makeshift throne—an adaptation to limited mobility from Parkinson’s and spinal injuries . He showcased classics like “Crazy Train,” “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” “Mr. Crowley,” and “Suicide Solution,” backed by his solo band including Zakk Wylde and Tommy Clufetos .
The original Black Sabbath lineup—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward—broke the world’s heart by getting together again for the first time since 2005. They wrapped up with “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” “N.I.B.,” and the timeless “Paranoid,” offering a nostalgic musical frame for half a century of metal .
All‑Star Tributes and Spectacle
Far more than a standalone compilation, the event was an affair dominated by superstars. The likes of Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Pantera, Anthrax, Metallica, Tool, and Alice in Chains played their part in paying homage to Sabbath with their own covers before Ozzy took the stage—echoing the big-budget production of concerts like Live Aid .
Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello served as musical director, overseeing a revolving stage system that seamlessly transitioned from act to act, emphasizing the breadth and magnitude of the production .
Global Audience, Enormous Profits
The pay-per-view livestream, which cost viewers around $29.99, was reported to have accrued more than 5 million viewers. There were 5.8 million streams going on simultaneously at one point—grossing some $150 million .
Additionally, Villa Park saw about 45,000 in-theatre supporters—every ticket sold out within a record 16 minutes, with over 150,000 supporters queuing online in that same time window. The show also drew an estimated 300,000 tourists to the West Midlands, raising around £20 million for the regional economy over a bus-crammed weekend of shows and activities .
Charity at Its Core
Unlike regular rock extravaganzas, “Back to the Beginning” notably was for charity. Admission fees and livestream earnings—reaching near £140 million—were contributed to Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice . There were no artists’ fees; they earned transport expenses only, so the proceeds all went to charity .
Final Curtain, Lasting Legacy
For Ozzy, who at 76 is now a veteran, the performance was an intensely personal farewell. In his throne seat, he welcomed the audience with plain sincerity, saying, “You have no idea how I feel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart” .
Industry observers are already calling this possibly “the greatest heavy metal show ever,” reinforced by the return of the original lineup, an all-star tribute performance, and worldwide engagement through livestream . For hard rock and heavy metal enthusiasts alike, this event closes an unerasable book in music history.
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Overview
• Date: July 5, 2025
• Location: Villa Park, Birmingham, UK
• Last Acts: Ozzy’s solo performance + Sabbath classics
• Livestream: 5–5.8 million viewers; ~$150 million in revenue
• Attendance: 45,000 live; tickets sold within 16 minutes
• Charity: Beneficiary charities include Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice
• All-star collaborators: Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Tool, and many more
It was goodbye to more than a band—it was goodbye to a genre, a voice, a rock. Its echoes will be felt for decades.
