The massive Back to the Beginning music festival — the historic event that gathered bands like Pantera, Mastodon, Gojira, and more to celebrate the life and legacy of Ozzy Osbourne — may return as a yearly tribute show.
Originally billed as a one-off celebration and ultimately becoming Ozzy’s final performance, the festival saw the Prince of Darkness reunite with the original Black Sabbath lineup and raise millions for charity. Now, it looks like the event might have a future.
According to The Mirror, an application has been filed in the United States to trademark “Back to the Beginning” under the category of “entertainment services in the nature of live musical performance.” The filing was made by Monowise Ltd, a company linked to Ozzy, and also aims to protect official merchandise. A similar trademark request is expected to follow in the UK.
The original concert took place at Villa Park in Birmingham, just 17 days before Ozzy’s death, and its proceeds were split equally between Acorns Children’s Hospice, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Cure Parkinson’s. Ozzy, born John Michael Osbourne, passed away in July at the age of 76 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019. He was laid to rest by the lake at his Buckinghamshire home, where a wreath reading “Ozzy f**ing Osbourne”* was placed on the bank as 110 close friends and family, including Sharon, Kelly, and Jack Osbourne, gathered to say goodbye.
Speaking on Good Morning America, Jack Osbourne recalled watching his father perform for the last time:
“I ran back into the dressing room, and I just gave him a big hug… I was crying. It wasn’t sadness — I think it was because we knew it was the last time. In hindsight, it felt like a living wake. He got to say goodbye to everyone.”
The festival also featured appearances and tribute messages from Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, James Hetfield, Jack Black, Ricky Gervais, Dolly Parton, and Sir Elton John, who later attended Ozzy’s funeral.
With the trademark filing in motion, all signs point to Sharon Osbourne preparing to keep Ozzy’s legacy alive with a recurring charity event under the same name — a memorial festival where the heavy music world can reunite each year to celebrate the life of the man who helped shape it.
