Black Sabbath’s final performance raised £140m, director says

Black Sabbath’s final performance raised £140m for charity, according to the event’s musical director Tom Morello.

Morello, who is also the guitarist for Rage Against The Machine, revealed the figure in a post on Instagram.

He wrote: “We raised a ton of money for a great cause and so many great musicians, bands and fans all over the world paid tribute to the all time greats.”

All profits will be equally split between Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Cure Parkinson’s, and Midlands-based Acorns Children’s Hospice.

Thousands descended on Villa Park in Birmingham for the finale on Saturday, joined by a star-studded line up of metal greats, including Metallica and Slayer.

Morello’s post said putting the event together was “over a year of hard work but heavy metal was the music that made me love music and it was a labor of love.”

Acorns Hospice CEO Trevor Johnson previously said the money received would enable the charity “to be there for more children and families.”

The charity has been open about the financial pressures it has faced as demand for services had more than doubled in the last two years.

Birmingham Children’s Hospital said it was a “lovely delight” to be one of the beneficiaries of the gig.

The cash will be used to improve patients’ and families’ experiences in the hospital with work including the ongoing transformation of the front entrance, which will see a large aquarium built.

Also planned are emergency department improvements, entertainment activities brought in for the children, a new cinema and equipment.

Cure Parkinson’s is a cause that touches home for Ozzy Osbourne as the singer revealed he had been diagnosed with the disease in January 2020.

The charity’s director of fundraising and marketing, Andy Simons, previously told the BBC they were “over the moon”, and “so grateful” to be one of the chosen charities.