Lamb of God’s Randy Blythe to Auction Off Shoes Signed by Ozzy for Charity
As the metal world continues to reel from the loss of one of its most iconic performers (and arguably one of the guys that started it all) Ozzy Osbourne, different people are handling the news in different ways. Some are crying. Some are blasting Ozzy’s old tunes. But others are doing acts of service in his name. Lamb of God vocalist Randy Blythe is in that latter camp, as he’s announced he’s going to auction off an extremely rare pair of shoes signed by “The Prince of Darkness” to benefit the very same charities that the ‘Back to the Beginning’ show supported.
For a little background on the shoes, it turns out that each performer was given a special pair of shoes to commemorate the event. Then, just a few days after the concert, Ozzy attended the Comic-Con Midlands as a special guest. Blythe attended the con and had Ozzy sign his pair, of which only 250 pairs exist in the world. Sadly, Osbourne would go on to pass away a few days later at 76 years old.
Once sold, Blythe said he intends to donate the funds to Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice — the very same charities that received the famous $190 million from the ‘Back to the Beginning’ show.
Here’s Blythe’s full statement on the matter:
“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…”
