On Saturday, July 5, actor and musician Jack Black delivered a surprise livestream performance of Ozzy Osbourne’s iconic song “Mr. Crowley” during the Back To The Beginning event held at Villa Park in Birmingham, United Kingdom. This Jack Black Mr Crowley performance captivated fans as it combined Black’s energetic style with contributions from the next generation of rock musicians.
Collaboration with Rockers from Famous Musical Families
Wearing a blue-and-white tasseled jacket, Black, best known as one half of the rock duo TENACIOUS D alongside Kyle Gass, appeared in a pre-recorded music video featuring Roman Morello, the son of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE guitarist Tom Morello and curator of the Back To The Beginning project, along with Revel Ian, son of ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian. This collaboration symbolized a powerful link between rock’s legacy and its future, as Black and these talented young musicians joined forces on stage.
The performer lineup holding the backing track for Black included Roman on guitar, Yoyoka, a Japanese drumming prodigy, Roya Feiz on bass, and Hugo Weiss on keyboards. Black and Morello had previously performed the song in October 2023 as part of a celebration marking the 100th birthday of Mary Morello, Tom Morello’s mother.
Jack Black’s Personal Connection to Ozzy Osbourne’s Music
Jack Black has publicly expressed the profound influence Ozzy Osbourne’s music had on him as a child. During an interview with George Lopez, Black recalled the moment that changed his musical path:
“I went to this record store, and I was going to get the new JOURNEY album,”
—Jack Black, Actor and Musician
“I was ten years old or something, and there was this kid who was 14, and he said, ‘No, man. You don’t want that. Get this,’ and he showed me Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Blizzard Of Ozz’…It just changed my whole brain, the passion and the darkness and the evil of the music.”
—Jack Black, Actor and Musician
This pivotal experience fueled Black’s creative journey, which is also reflected in TENACIOUS D’s work. Their debut album features the track “Dio,” a tribute to Ronnie James Dio, Ozzy’s replacement in BLACK SABBATH. The band’s connections to Dio continued with their appearance in his video for “Push” and Dio’s cameo in the rock comedy movie Tenacious D: The Pick Of Destiny.
Back To The Beginning: A Major Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne and BLACK SABBATH
The daylong event, hosted by actor Jason Momoa—who co-starred with Black in A Minecraft Movie—featured over a dozen bands covering BLACK SABBATH or Ozzy Osbourne songs. This event marked Ozzy Osbourne’s intended final stage performance, a milestone given his battle with Parkinson’s disease.
For the first time in two decades, the original BLACK SABBATH members—vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward—performed together, delivering a set filled with classic hits such as War Pigs, N.I.B., Iron Man, and Paranoid. Ozzy’s commanding presence from a black-winged throne was met with a celebratory cake and spectacular fireworks lighting the stadium.
During the event’s finale, Ozzy expressed his gratitude:
“It’s the last song ever. Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
—Ozzy Osbourne, BLACK SABBATH Vocalist
Following his words, a message appeared on the screen:
“Thank you for everything, you guys are fucking amazing. Birmingham Forever,”
as fireworks illuminated the sky above the packed venue.
Wide-Ranging Support from Fans and Rock Legends
Held at Villa Park, the event drew over 40,000 attendees, with performances not only from the SABBATH members but also from Ozzy’s solo band, GUNS N’ ROSES, METALLICA, SLAYER, PANTERA, LAMB OF GOD, and ANTHRAX among others. The concert served as a communal tribute to one of rock’s most influential figures while raising funds to support Parkinson’s disease charities and local children’s hospitals.
Proceeds from Back To The Beginning were divided among Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice. An online auction accompanied the event, offering signed Gibson guitars, a GUNS N’ ROSES pinball machine, and collectible gold records from BLACK SABBATH’s Paranoid, LED ZEPPELIN’s Physical Graffiti, and METALLICA’s Master Of Puppets with travel packages also available to bidders.
Accessibility Through Livestream and Lasting Impact
Although promoted as a livestream, the event’s broadcast experienced a brief delay from the actual start time at the stadium, but fans worldwide could still access the full concert online for 48 hours following the performance. This initiative allowed those who could not attend in person to witness this historic gathering of rock legends and new talents, including Jack Black’s remarkable appearance.
The Jack Black Mr Crowley performance at Back To The Beginning reinforced his enduring dedication to rock music and connected deeply with both fans and fellow musicians, setting the stage for future collaborations that honor rock’s heritage and foster its evolution.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does Jack Black have ADHD?
A. Listening is crucial because it helps develop communication skills by reassuring them that they are heard and allowing them to practice expressing ideas. Black shares, “It’s a challenge for me, too,” noting that listening can be difficult as he has a bit of ADHD.
Q. What religion is Jack Black?
A. Despite not believing in a deity, Black considers himself culturally Jewish. Becoming a father made him want to raise his kids in the Jewish tradition. Black showed support for Barack Obama during the 2012 re-election campaign. In 2015, he traveled to Kampala to support Comic Relief USA’s Red Nose Day event.
Q. What is the religion of Jack Black?
A. Even though Black doesn’t believe in God, he considers himself culturally Jewish. Becoming a father influenced him to raise his kids with Jewish traditions. Black supported Barack Obama’s re-election in 2012. He traveled to Kampala in 2015 for Comic Relief USA’s Red Nose Day. Black often speaks out against Donald Trump.
