Lamb Of God‘s Randy Blythe is no stranger to charitable causes, having auctioned off various personal items over the years to benefit worthy causes. In a newly shared post reflecting on today’s (July 22nd) loss of Ozzy Osbourne, Blythe revealed that he intends to continue on with Osbourne‘s own charitable intentions, this time with an item personally signed for him by Osbourne earlier this month.
While Osbourne and Black Sabbath‘s July 05th ‘Back To The Beginning‘ farewell show in Birmingham, UK was a landmark event for metal and a roaring celebration for Osbourne and the the trailblazing career of the heavy metal pioneers in Black Sabbath, it also raised over $190 million for charity. Osbourne himself is said to have selected the recipients of those funds, which included Cure Parkinson’s, the Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice.
As Blythe revealed in a post below, he spent some time with Osbourne just days after the ‘Back To The Beginning‘ festivities and had Osbourne autograph one pair of the 121 custom pairs of Adidas sneakers made for the performers who took part in that concert. Blythe told Ozzy that he intended to auction those shoes off to further raise funds for the aforementioned charities above, a move Ozzy approved of. Blythe stated of that:
“Like most of you reading this, I am immensely sad right now.
This picture was taken 10 days ago, at @comicconmidlands- I was with my pals @scottianthrax & @thefrankbello. Our friend @malfuncsean took us back into Ozzy’s green room— we hung out for a good half hour & had some laughs with the Prince of Darkness.
Know this: Ozzy was in a GREAT mood, & still buzzing over the “Back to the Beginning” concert. I thanked him for having @lambofgod on the show, & told him “We just went by 14 Lodge Road two days ago” (his childhood home in Birmingham.)
Ozzy looked up & gave me an huge grin & said “Boy, I’ll bet that fucking guy who lives there now is sick of hearing about me!” & started laughing really hard. It was great to see!
I do not claim to have been close to him, but I’ve had several interactions with Ozzy over the years. Yes, Ozzy was a TRUE ROCK N’ ROLL MADMAN- they don’t build ‘em like him anymore. But I also knew him as a kind & gentle man who, alongside his family, did so much for my band, & more personally, spoke out publicly on my behalf when I was facing serious legal issues.
When you are in a foreign prison & inmates you don’t know come up to you suddenly acting impressed & saying “Ozzy Osbourne says good things for you!” in broken English… trust me, it makes a difference.
Thank you for that, mate.
So yes, I’m very sad right now— but my heart is also full. Ozzy got to say goodbye, & he got to do it on HIS terms, with HIS band. One last time the mighty Sabbath roared… & we all watched in awe.
While in the green room, I had Ozzy sign my shoes, the ones I am holding in this photo- there were only 121 pairs of these Adidas made, strictly as thank you gifts to performers at the “Back to the Beginning” show. I told Ozzy I was going to auction them off to further benefit the charities that the concert raised money for, & he was well pleased by this.
And so I shall.
This is how I would like to thank & honor him for all he did for music, my band, & myself. The shoes will be part of a larger auction that is being organized right now. Details soon.
Thank you Ozzy. We love you.
“Show the world that love is still alive, you must be brave…”
