Following the emotional farewell performance of Ozzy Osbourne at Birmingham’s Back to the Beginning concert, Billy Corgan is calling on the rock world to make it an annual tradition — a celebration of Ozzy’s legacy that gives back to the world.
Held at Villa Park, the farewell show brought together a powerhouse lineup including Metallica, Tool, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, and Corgan himself. Artists waived their fees, helping raise nearly $200 million for Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice. Most importantly, it marked the historic reunion of Black Sabbath’s original lineup — the first time in over two decades.
Now, in a heartfelt interview on KROQ’s Klein Ally Show, Corgan proposed turning the tribute into an annual benefit concert:
“I almost think there should be an annual Ozzy concert where we just come together and do a charitable event.”
He described how the unique format of the event — headlining acts playing short sets in service of a larger cause — united artists in a rare way.
“Tool played for 20 minutes, Guns N’ Roses played for 35… Headlining bands aren’t used to that, but everyone worked together. It was one-of-a-kind, monumental.”
Corgan sees the annual show as a way to not only preserve Ozzy’s legacy, but to demonstrate the unshakable power of rock:
“Pop could never compete with what we saw that day… Rock cannot be beat.”
He even suggested that Sharon Osbourne choose the location each year, whether in Birmingham or elsewhere, to carry the spirit of unity forward.
“It would show the whole world what rock can do.”
The idea isn’t far-fetched — as Corgan put it, “I can’t imagine the list of artists that wouldn’t want to be involved.”
Tony Iommi echoed the sentiment, telling ITV News that the farewell concert “meant everything” to Ozzy.
“This is what we built up for — for that big ending where he could see all the people, and we could all see them, and close it that way.”
If Corgan’s dream becomes reality, Ozzy’s final bow may just become the beginning of something even bigger — a yearly gathering of rock’s greatest, coming together in honor, in legacy, and in love.
