A new analysis of some of the money raised at the final Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath show — Back to the Beginning in their hometown of Birmingham, England — shows that it contributed $45.5 million to the West Midlands economy.
Following the July 5th show, Billboard reported that it took in close to $200 million, which Sharon Osbourne said was “ridiculous,” adding that it “takes a really long time [to arrive at the final number that will be donated to charity], because we’ve had all of the bands that we had come in and their expenses, and it’ll take a good six weeks to get the final number.”
Dr. Matt Lyons from the University of Birmingham, who did the analysis, tells BBC News, “As regional economists from the University of Birmingham, we thought we would do our bit to honor Ozzy’s legacy by estimating the economic impact of his last gig.
“The impact of the Prince of Darkness obviously goes far beyond the financial impact his gigs and TV shows have netted.
“Ozzy is a global legend, and his gift of incredible music, and now his final economic impact, will go on to benefit his home city far into the future.”
Proceeds from the show will support Cure Parkinson’s, the Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice.
