Over the past 130 years, the groundbreaking instruments from Gibson have been the catalyst for some of the loudest and most powerful moments in rock. The iconic instrument brand is beyond proud to partner with the historic forthcoming Back to the Beginning show--the long-awaited, one-night-only all-star concert on Saturday July 5, at Villa Park in Birmingham--marking the first performance in over 20 years of the original Black Sabbath lineup: Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward.
Gibson will donate two Gibson SG Standard guitars--the world-famous guitar model beloved by Tony Iommi--which will be signed by the artists backstage at ‘Back to the Beginning.’ Music fans worldwide will have the chance to bid on these one-of-a-kind signed guitars during the high-profile charity auction live at www.ozzyauction.co.uk, which will run only until 10pm on Sunday, July 6. All proceeds from the auction will be shared equally between three causes close to the Osbourne family’s heart: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorns Children’s Hospice.
"It’s an honor to pay tribute to Tony Iommi and Black Sabbath, and it’s back to the beginning for me as well,” says Cesar Gueikian, President and CEO of Gibson. “I started playing guitar because of Black Sabbath and Tony’s riffs. Tony is 'THE RIFFLORD' and the bands paying tribute to Black Sabbath on this epic day owe a great deal to them for paving the way for heavy metal. I am deeply honored to call Tony my friend, my adopted godfather, and to have had the chance to collaborate with him at Gibson and on the single 'Deconstruction,' co-written with Serj Tankian. I wouldn’t be at Gibson without that moment when I was 10 years old, when after discovering Black Sabbath, my life in music unfolded from that point onward. All of us at Gibson are proud to be playing a part in this epic last show and going back to where everything began for Black Sabbath!"
Alongside the Gibson SG Standard guitars, Gibson will also be present backstage with a selection of guitars, as well as an interactive experiences and a photo booth with Indian Motorcycles as part of the unforgettable backstage environment available for the performers, VIP guests, and industry legends.
This is a unique opportunity to celebrate a defining moment in rock and roll history while supporting three life-changing charities. Every bid placed will directly help fund vital research, care and support for those who need it most. Fans interested in bidding on the Gibson SG guitars, or other items in the Back to the Beginning charity auction, can find more details at: www.ozzyauction.co.uk
Gibson is backstage at Back to The Beginning getting these epic guitars signed by the icons themselves. The final reveal of all signatures on the guitars above will drop on Sunday, July 6 – stay tuned at: https://www.ozzyauction.co.uk/.
The Gibson SG Standard rocks the classic looks and features associated with the late-60s-style SG™ models so many players love. A solid mahogany body provides the backbone for singing sustain, while a rounded profile mahogany neck and bound rosewood fingerboard deliver a comfortable playing experience across all 22 frets. A long tenon 19th fret neck joint enhances resonance, making it ideal for everything from vintage blues to modern high-gain solos. In the electronics department, the 490R (neck) and 490T (bridge) Alnico 2 humbuckers™ produce a versatile range of tones. Their clear, balanced output can easily cover a wide range of genres-softening nicely for warm clean passages and roaring to life when pushing an amp into overdrive.
Dedicated volume and tone controls, along with a 3-way toggle switch, offer quick access to any sound you need. Visually, a black 5-ply full-face pickguard sets this SG Standard apart from other models, and chrome-finished hardware adds a timeless touch. Grover® Rotomatic® tuners keep tuning precise, while the aluminum Tune-O-Matic™ bridge and Stop Bar tailpiece ensure reliable intonation. Rounded out by black Top Hat knobs with silver reflectors, this SG Standard captures the look and spirit of Gibson’s classic late-60s design. A soft shell guitar case is also included, providing convenient protection whether you’re heading to rehearsal or hitting the road.
If you’re in search of an iconic, no-nonsense rock machine with a heritage that spans decades, the Gibson SG Standard stands ready to deliver.
Payment for this item will be taken and paid directly to the charities. A member of the team will inform you of your winning bid and supply payment details. Subject to availability.
Back to the Beginning marks the historic return of the original Black Sabbath – Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward – performing together for the first time in 20 years. The all-star celebration of heavy metal’s founding fathers will see Ozzy take to the stage for a short solo set before reuniting with Black Sabbath for his final ever performance, making this one of the most significant live music events of the decade.
Ozzy said “It’s my time to go Back to the Beginning… time for me to give back to the place where I was born. How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal. Birmingham Forever.”
Formed in Birmingham in 1968, Black Sabbath went on to become one of the most influential and successful metal bands of all time, selling over 75 million albums and defining a genre. Music Director Tom Morello has described Back to the Beginning as “the greatest heavy metal show ever.”
The event will also feature performances from Metallica, Slayer, Guns N’ Roses, Pantera, Gojira, Alice In Chains, Halestorm, Lamb Of God, Anthrax and Mastodon. A supergroup of legendary musicians will also take to the stage, with confirmed artists including Billy Corgan, David Draiman, Duff McKagan, Slash, Frank Bello, Fred Durst, Jake E Lee, Jonathan Davis, KK Downing, Lzzy Hale, Mike Bordin, Rudy Sarzo, Sammy Hagar, Scott Ian, Sleep Token ii, Papa V Perpetua, Tom Morello, and Zakk Wylde.
Taking place on Saturday, 5 July, at Villa Park in Black Sabbath’s hometown of Birmingham, Back to the Beginning is a landmark celebration of the band’s groundbreaking legacy and their enduring influence on rock and metal music. Featuring sets from iconic bands such as Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, Halestorm, Alice In Chains, Lamb Of God, Anthrax, and Mastodon, as well as a supergroup of famous musicians from across the world, the show will mark the historic stage return for the original four members as Ozzy Osbourne performs a short solo set before joining Black Sabbath for his final bow.
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About Cure Parkinson’s
We’re here for the cure. Cure Parkinson’s is working with urgency to find new treatments to slow, stop and reverse Parkinson’s. Our funding and innovation has redefined the field of Parkinson’s research, enabling the world’s leading researchers to prioritise the next generation of drugs for clinical trial. Together we will conquer Parkinson’s. Further information at cureparkinsons.org.uk
About Birmingham Children’s Hospital
Birmingham Children’s Hospital is the UK’s leading specialist paediatric centre, caring for sick children and young people up to the age of 16. Rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC in February 2017, we are world leaders in some of the most advanced treatments, complex surgical procedures and cutting-edge research and development. We are also home to one of the largest Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in the country, with a dedicated inpatient Eating Disorder Unit and Acute Assessment Unit for regional referrals of children and young people with the most serious of problems (Tier 4) and our Forward Thinking Birmingham community mental health service for 0–25 year olds.
About Acorns Children’s Hospice
Caring for a child with complex medical needs can place unimaginable demands on a family, both physically and emotionally. At Acorns Children’s Hospice, we understand that when time is short every moment is precious, which is why, as well as providing specialist palliative care, we help families to make lasting memories. We provide a happy homely environment where children can experience all kinds of great activities, meet new friends, or relax and enjoy some quiet time. Our experienced, skilled staff take time to understand each child’s individual requirements, listening to any concerns and adapting activities according to their needs.
