Gibson, one of the most iconic names in music history, is paying tribute to another: Black Sabbath. As the legendary Birmingham band prepares to reunite on stage for the first time in over two decades, Gibson is joining the celebration with a gesture rooted in both legacy and purpose.
The company is donating two Gibson SG Standard guitars—the signature model associated with Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi—to be signed backstage by the band and guest artists at the Back to the Beginning concert on Saturday, July 5. The instruments will be auctioned online at ozzyauction.co.uk, with bidding open through 10 p.m. on Sunday, July 6.
A statement from the company discloses that “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.”
The event, taking place at Villa Park in Birmingham, marks the return of the original Black Sabbath lineup—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—in what is being described as one of the most significant live music events of the decade. Ozzy will take the stage for a short solo set before reuniting with his bandmates for what is expected to be his final performance with the group.
Gibson President and CEO Cesar Gueikian shared his personal connection to the moment. “It’s an honor to pay tribute to Tony Iommi and Black Sabbath, and it’s back to the beginning for me as well,” he says. “I started playing guitar because of Black Sabbath and Tony’s riffs. Tony is 'THE RIFFLORD.’”
He adds that the company is proud to support the event. “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.”
In addition to the auction guitars, Gibson will also have a backstage presence at the event, offering a curated selection of instruments, interactive experiences, and a photo booth created in partnership with Indian Motorcycles for artists, VIP guests, and industry attendees.
The Gibson SG Standard model being auctioned features a solid mahogany body, a rounded profile mahogany neck, and a bound rosewood fingerboard. It’s equipped with 490R and 490T Alnico 2 humbuckers, delivering the classic tone that helped shape the sound of heavy metal. Visually, it stays true to the late-‘60s SG design that players around the world continue to favor.
As the statement notes, “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.”
The full lineup for Back to the Beginning includes performances from Metallica, Slayer, Guns N’ Roses, Pantera, Gojira, Alice In Chains, Halestorm, Lamb of God, Anthrax, and Mastodon. A supergroup of guest musicians will also take the stage, featuring artists like Billy Corgan, Slash, Duff McKagan, Lzzy Hale, Zakk Wylde, Jonathan Davis, Fred Durst, Tom Morello, and more.
Tom Morello, who also serves as the event’s music director, has called it “the greatest heavy metal show ever.”
For fans, this is more than a concert. It’s a farewell, a reunion, and a reminder of the legacy that started in Birmingham and echoed across the world.
As Ozzy Osbourne himself put it: “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.”
To place a bid or learn more about the charity auction, visit: www.ozzyauction.co.uk.
