Ozzy Osbourne’s final act of generosity is revealed after hellraising rocker’s death aged 76

Ozzy Osbourne‘s final act of generosity before his death has been revealed as Black Sabbath’s final performance is said to have raised £140million for charity.

The farewell gig in Ozzy’s hometown of Birmingham on July 5, just two weeks before he passed away, saw all profits equally split between Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Acorns Children’s Hospice and the Cure Parkinson’s charity.

Following the concert, its director Tom Morello revealed the charities would share the money which included revenue from livestreams and merchandising.

The Rage Against the Machine musician wrote on Instagram: ‘Back to the Beginning’. More than 190 million dollars will be donated to houses and hospitals for children.’

If true, this meant Osbourne’s gig raised the most money for any charity concert on record when not adjusted for inflation, according to US music magazine Billboard.

It came after George Harrison and Ravi Shankar’s Concert for Bangladesh in 1971 raised £180,000 for Unicef and popularised the idea of an all-star benefit show.

The benchmark for charity gigs is widely seen as Sir Bob Geldof’s Live Aid in 1985, with estimates of how much it raised varying between £40million and £114million.

Many will also remember the America: A Tribute to Heroes charity telethon two weeks after 9/11 in 2001 which raised £95million for the victims of the attacks.

Another major concert was the eight-hour livestreamed One World: Together at Home, which organisers Global Citizen said raised £94million for Covid relief efforts.

Heavy metal singer Osbourne – who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019 – was reunited with fellow original Sabbath members Tony Iommi, Terence ‘Geezer’ Butler and Bill Ward on stage at Villa Park football stadium for a final performance.

The band were the last to appear on stage as part of a star-studded line-up for the ‘Back to the Beginning’ concert, barely two miles from the Crown pub where they first played their first gig together more than half a century ago in 1968.

A Birmingham Children’s Hospital spokesman said last night: ‘We’re so very sad to hear the news of Ozzy Osbourne’s passing. Ozzy had an incredible career and life, but never forgot his Brummie roots.

‘Our hospital was extremely lucky to have his support over the years and most recently with his iconic final performance, which will leave a lasting legacy for our sick kids. Our thoughts are with Sharon and the whole Osbourne family. Our hospital has lost a friend, Birmingham a son and the world a musical legend.’

And an Acorns Children’s Hospice spokesman said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the passing of Ozzy Osbourne and send our heartfelt condolences to Sharon and the entire Osbourne family at this incredibly difficult time.

‘Ozzy was more than a global rock icon – he was a true son of Birmingham whose legacy transcended music. As the frontman of Black Sabbath, he not only pioneered a genre and inspired generations, he carried the pride of Birmingham and the West Midlands with him on every world stage he performed.

‘For us at Acorns, Ozzy’s generosity and compassion will never be forgotten. His decision, alongside Black Sabbath and Sharon Osbourne, to support Acorns during their unforgettable ‘Back to the Beginning’ show at Villa Park was a moment of pure magic.

‘It was a tribute not only to their extraordinary musical journey, but to the community that shaped them – a community we are proud to serve every day.

‘That night and in the weeks since, thanks to Ozzy, our children’s hospice care has been embraced by people across the world. Families who so often can feel unseen have been celebrated by millions.’

At the start of his solo performance on July 5, Osbourne entered the stage by rising on a large black throne through a trap door, wearing his signature black attire and thick eye make-up.

He started the set by saying: ‘Let me hear you. Are you ready? Let the madness begin!’

Later, he told the crowd: ‘It’s so good to be on this f***ing stage. You have no idea. I f***ing love you all. Let me see your hands in the air. You are the best, each and every one of you. God bless you all.’

In an emotional moment, he added: ‘I don’t know what to say, man, I’ve been laid up for, like, six years. You have no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart. You’re all f****** special. Let’s go crazy, come on.’

The rocker sang five songs in his own set, with fans waving torches from their phones during Mama, I’m Coming Home.

He finished his performance with Crazy Train, before confetti rained over a packed Villa Park.

After a short break, he re-entered the stage to join the rest of Black Sabbath for the first time in 20 years.

The band performed some of their greatest hits, ending with a rendition of Paranoid.

Fans chanted ‘Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy’ as the rock great thanked and blew kisses to those in attendance, before departing in an emotional ending to cap an illustrious career on stage.

It capped a day-long metal festival that included performances from Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N´Roses. Artists who sent plaudits and well-wishes included Jack Black, Dolly Parton and Sir Elton John.

Personal videos from dozens of fans were also broadcast at the event, in which they credited Osbourne and Black Sabbath for inventing heavy metal and thanked them for their generational influence on music.