Hollywood icon and TENACIOUS D frontman Jack Black made a surprise appearance during the livestream of “Back To The Beginning,” the massive July 5 tribute concert honoring Ozzy Osbourne and BLACK SABBATH. Though not present onstage in Birmingham’s Villa Park, Black’s energy was felt through a pre-recorded video performance of the classic Ozzy solo track, “Mr. Crowley.”
Draped in a blue-and-white tasseled jacket, Black fully embraced the theatrical spirit of the song, delivering a dramatic and heartfelt rendition that was broadcast to thousands of fans at the event. His performance was backed by a youthful band featuring Roman Morello—son of Tom Morello (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and curator of the event)—on guitar, and Revel Ian, son of ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian, on drums.
This isn’t the first time Jack Black has covered “Mr. Crowley.” He previously performed the track with Roman Morello in October 2023 to celebrate the 100th birthday of Tom Morello’s mother, Mary Morello. That performance featured a stellar young lineup including Japanese drum prodigy Yoyoka, bassist Roya Feiz, and keyboardist Hugo Weiss.
Black has long credited Ozzy Osbourne as a life-changing influence. In a past interview with comedian George Lopez, he recalled the moment Ozzy’s music first entered his life: “I went to this record store, and I was going to get the new JOURNEY album. 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.”
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.