The concert will feature the band’s original lineup of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward
Never say never.
For the last few years, rumors have been swirling about a final Black Sabbath show featuring the band’s original lineup. Back in 2022, Ozzy Osbourne performed at the closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games. Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi joined him for Sabbath classics “Paranoid” and “Iron Man.” While it was a sight to see, it wasn’t quite full reunion fans were hoping for.
In 2023, Ozzy Osbourne was booked to headline the inaugural at Power Trip in California alongside Metallica, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Tool, and Guns N’ Roses. Unfortunately, Ozzy canceled his performance due to ongoing health issues. Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi would reveal that Power Trip organizers initially approached Sabbath about performing at the festival with the original lineup. The band declined the offer, citing Ozzy’s health as the main reason for not taking the gig. There’s also the issue of the fractured relationship between Ozzy, Iommi, and bassist Geezer Butler with dummer Bill Ward. Ward did not appear on the band’s final album or take part in their final tour due to contractual issues.
“It’s hard, because Ozzy’s been going through a lot of stuff lately,” Iommi told SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation host Eddie Trunk. “He’s in hospital and out of hospital, and he’s really been fighting it; he really wants to get out there. But in my mind, it’s very difficult to sort of say yes. I’ve gotta think of the people in the band as well. I’ve gotta think of Ozzy, if he’s gonna be all right to do a show and whatever. So I wasn’t that comfortable with it, but I didn’t know Ozzy would be doing it on his own. But it’s great. I hope he can do it and that it’ll be really good. He really wants to do it. And he’s really trying to pull to get himself back. He’s had to go through such a lot of hard stuff lately. It’s such a shame, really. But he’s still fighting there.”
Despite turning down Power Trip, Iommi hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a one-off Black Sabbath reunion.
“I’ve certainly done the Commonwealth Games with Ozzy, and that sort of happened, but to do a full show, you’ve gotta make sure everybody’s in good shape because people are gonna remember you by that show. And I don’t want our reputation to go downhill all of a sudden. If something goes wrong or somebody can’t make it and we have to cancel… ‘Cause I don’t know everybody’s health; I don’t know how Bill [Ward’s] feeling these days. You just don’t know. So I’d like to be sure. If you’re gonna do anything, it’s gotta be good or not bother.”
Contrary to Iommi’s recent comments, Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler seemingly ruled out any sort of Black Sabbath reunion in the future.
In his new memoir Into the Void: From Birth to Black Sabbath – and Beyond, Butler opens up about his disconnect with Ozzy, and the band’s issues with Ward. Last week in an interview with Rolling Stone, Geezer put the cherry on top, saying of a reunion, “I don’t think Ozzy’s up for it, anyway.”
Well, the dream of one final Black Sabbath show is officially a reality now. The band announced Wednesday that the original lineup – Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward – will play together for the first time in 20 years, and for the last time. The band will take to the stage to headline Back to the Beginning on 5 July at Villa Park.
The all-star event will celebrate the true creators of heavy metal and will see Ozzy Osbourne play his own short set before joining with Black Sabbath for his final bow.
“It’s my time to go Back to the Beginning… time for me to give back to the place where I was born,” Ozzy Osbourne said. “How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal. Birmingham Forever.”
Additionally, the show will feature an incredibly stacked lineup of special guests including Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, Pantera, Lamb of God, Alice In Chains, Mastodon, and Halestorm.
All Profits From The Show Will Be SHARED EQUALLY BETWEEN Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice – a Children’s Hospice supported by Aston Villa.
The all-day event will also feature a supergroup of musicians. Artists announced so far include Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins), David Draiman (Disturbed), Duff McKagan & Slash (Guns ‘n Roses), Frank Bello (Anthrax), Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit), Jake E Lee, Jonathan Davis (Korn), KK Downing, Lzzy Hale (Halestorm), Mike Bordin (Faith No More), Rudy Sarzo, Sammy Hagar, Scott Ian (Anthrax), Sleep Token ii (Sleep Token), Papa V Perpetua (Ghost), Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), Wolfgang Van Halen and Zakk Wylde.
More names will be announced shortly.
Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello, who is serving as the musical director for the event, says, “This will be the greatest heavy metal show ever.”
Tickets go on sale at 10am GMT on Friday 14 February, 2025.
The all-day event will also feature a supergroup of musicians. Artists announced so far include Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins), David Draiman (Disturbed), Duff McKagan & Slash (Guns ‘n Roses), Frank Bello (Anthrax), Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit), Jake E Lee, Jonathan Davis (Korn), KK Downing, Lzzy Hale (Halestorm), Mike Bordin (Faith No More), Rudy Sarzo, Sammy Hagar, Scott Ian (Anthrax), Sleep Token ii (Sleep Token), Papa V Perpetua (Ghost), Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), Wolfgang Van Halen and Zakk Wylde.
More names will be announced shortly.
Last summer, Black Sabbath released a vinyl box set, Hand of Doom. The release features eight of the band’s classic albums, released from 1970 to 1978. Limited to just 4,000 copies, the release was comprised of the complete, original Black Sabbath collection on picture disc for the first time including the band’s debut album Black Sabbath (1970), as well as the multi-platinum Paranoid (1970), the platinum albums Master of Reality(1971), Vol. 4 (1972), and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973), the gold-certified Sabotage (1975), alongside Technical Ecstasy (1976) and Never Say Die! (1978).
Just days after announcing his retirement from touring, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Ozzy Osbourne won two GRAMMY® Awards at the 65th annual event in Los Angeles back in 2023. He took home the hardware for Best Metal Performance and Best Rock Album. It marked the metal legend’s first solo GRAMMY® win since 1994 when he won Best Metal Performance for “I Don’t Wanna Change the World (Live & Loud).
Ozzy released his acclaimed thirteenth studio album Patient Number 9 last September. The album, produced by Andrew Watt, features an incredible cast of guest stars including Eric Clapton, Toni Iommi (Black Sabbath), Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Robert Trujillo (Metallica), Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses), Zakk Wylde, as well as late musicians Jeff Beck and Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters).
The record performed well commercially, peaking at No. 1 on UK Rock & Metal Albums chart and No. 2 on UK Albums. Stateside, the album hit No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 across Billboard’s Top Alternative, Top Rock, and Top Hard Rock Albums charts. The album’s title track – which features a stunning guest appearance by the late Jeff Beck – was also nominated for Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song.
Last year, Ozzy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame as a solo artist.
Tickets will be available HERE