The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has long stood as the pinnacle of recognition for rock stars, but recent events have elevated that standard significantly. The spectacular Back to the Beginning concert held on Saturday night served as a tribute to the legendary Black Sabbath and iconic Ozzy Osbourne, marking Osbourne’s final live performance and setting a new precedent for celebrating remarkable careers in rock music.

This monumental event spanned an exhilarating nine hours, featuring the biggest names in hard rock and heavy metal—including Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Slayer, and Pantera. These legendary artists honored the evening’s guests of honor by performing numerous covers of Sabbath and Osbourne classics, alongside renditions of their own greatest hits.

The night culminated in performances by Osbourne and the original members of Black Sabbath, who played select tracks, deliberately reserving unforgettable anthems like “Crazy Train” and “Iron Man” for their own set. This iconic finale left the audience craving more and cemented the event’s status as an unforgettable celebration of rock history.

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Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this concert was the focus on a single artist and band. Unlike the recent Rock Hall induction ceremony where Osbourne shared the spotlight with multiple artists of varying genres, the entire audience of 45,000 attendees in Birmingham, England, came together solely to honor Ozzy and Black Sabbath. Furthermore, an astounding five million viewers reportedly tuned in live through streaming pay-per-view, amplifying the event’s reach and significance in the world of music.

In essence, this event was a resounding success, prompting the intriguing question, “who else deserves a similar tribute?” Only the most cherished and influential artists possess the ability to attract a crowd of this magnitude and the support of their peers to match the grandeur of the Back to the Beginning concert.

Yet, there exist several compelling candidates for such a tribute, including the five bands outlined below. It’s worth noting that while these acts launched their careers over fifty years ago, many of them show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

The recent passing of Bad Company guitarist Mick Ralphs, mere months before his band was set to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of honoring these legends while they are still alive. Rather than viewing such tributes as retirement celebrations, they can be seen as vibrant birthday parties filled with music and appreciation.

As Scott Ian of Anthrax expressed during Ozzy’s farewell show, “We’re not here to say goodbye. We’re here to say thank you.” Below is a brief overview of five artists who would be ideal candidates for a concert modeled after Back to the Beginning:

Honor the Legacy of Aerosmith with a Tribute Concert

Steven Tyler delivered an electrifying performance during his three-song set at the Back to the Beginning concert, showcasing his incredible talent and resilience. Despite facing vocal cord issues that previously led to the postponement and eventual cancellation of their farewell tour, Tyler appeared to have overcome these challenges, captivating the audience with his charisma and stage presence.

Witnessing his performance made it abundantly clear that Aerosmith would be an exceptional choice for the next all-star tribute event, ideally hosted in their hometown of Boston or the nearby Gillette Stadium. This concert would not only serve as a fitting send-off for the legendary band but could also mark the beginning of a new chapter in their illustrious career—one that fans would eagerly anticipate.

Celebrate Eddie Van Halen’s Legacy with a Tribute Concert

Almost five years after the passing of Eddie Van Halen, the absence of a posthumous tribute concert has been a source of both frustration and understanding. The complex relationships among the various members of Van Halen pose significant challenges in organizing such an event.

Alex Van Halen, currently recovering from a back injury that has temporarily sidelined his drumming, attempted to coordinate a tribute tour in 2022 involving founding singer David Lee Roth, former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted, and guitarist Joe Satriani. However, Roth’s reluctance to acknowledge Eddie’s legacy during the shows derailed those plans.

In 2024, Satriani instead joined Sammy Hagar and founding bassist Michael Anthony on a tour celebrating Hagar’s time as Van Halen’s frontman, though tensions remain evident between Hagar and Alex Van Halen.

Meanwhile, Eddie’s son Wolfgang is making his mark in the music industry with a successful solo career, expressing that the idea of performing Van Halen music would feel “very hollow,” as he honors his father’s memory through his own artistic journey.

Given these complex dynamics, the hope remains that reconciliation among the former band members might eventually lead to a tribute concert. The thought of a gathering of renowned guitarists and Van Halen enthusiasts converging in Los Angeles for such an event is an exciting prospect.

Iron Maiden: A Celebration of Metal Greatness

It’s important to note that there is currently no indication that Iron Maiden is considering wrapping up their illustrious career. The band continues to sell out arenas and stadiums globally, proving their enduring popularity and relevance in the heavy metal scene.

However, their impressive career thus far certainly warrants a grand celebration, and it would provide the band with an opportunity to engage in a playful rivalry. Iron Maiden fans are well aware that the band is one of the most glaring omissions from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Despite lead singer Bruce Dickinson criticizing the institution as “vulgar” and a “mausoleum,” and stating he would never step foot in its halls, the band still deserves recognition. The proposed plan is to schedule Iron Maiden’s ‘Back to the Beginning’ concert to coincide with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, creating a fascinating competition to see which event attracts a larger crowd.

AC/DC: A Tribute to Rock’s Legends

Similar to Iron Maiden, AC/DC has no trouble filling stadiums on their own, exhibiting little patience for the music industry’s trends or sentimentality. Remarkably, they have never even released a greatest hits compilation!

However, in our fantasy booking scenario, it’s impossible to overlook the legendary Angus Young and his band as deserving candidates for a tribute concert. Ideally, this event would take place in their home country of Australia, complete with at least one member from each participating band donning the iconic schoolboy outfit.

The Rolling Stones: Celebrating a Historic Legacy

The Rolling Stones are undoubtedly deserving of recognition on this list, as they continue to celebrate their remarkable legacy. While several bands on this list are commemorating their 50th anniversaries, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards recently entered their sixth decade of collaboration. This longevity speaks volumes about their influence in the rock music landscape.

Moreover, they remain one of the most active bands on this roster, frequently touring stadiums and releasing critically acclaimed albums, such as Hackney Diamonds, which debuted less than two years ago.

It’s challenging to identify a band or artist that doesn’t owe some level of inspiration to the Rolling Stones. Organizing a ‘Back to the Beginning’ festival in their honor would likely require two days of performances to accommodate all the artists eager to pay homage to their musical legacy.