Black Sabbath Make Historic Announcement About Final Show
Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath have made a major announcement about their farewell show. – Author: Charles Ken, Photo via Vertigo/Republic Records/Universal
Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath are entering into their final chapter as a band. While the famed “The End” tour was Black Sabbath’s final proper tour, there was also talk of having a real, final show that would bring together original members, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward.
Earlier in February, Black Sabbath announced that their farewell concert would take place on July 5 at Villa Park in the band’s hometown of Birmingham, England. On top of the Black Sabbath set, the night will also present one final Ozzy solo performance, being called his last ever, plus performances from major acts in the metal and rock world.
Black Sabbath Announce Additional Acts for Final Show
While the lineup for Sabbath’s final show was already packed with power, the band has announced a handful of addition acts, and they’re all big names. It’s truly a historic lineup that’s shaping up for this final hurrah.
On Monday, February 17, Black Sabbath announced that Guns N’ Roses, Tool and Rival Sons will also be performing at the band’s farewell concert. Those three bands join the already hefty bill of Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, Mastodon, Halestorm, Alice in Chains, Lamb of God and Anthrax, among others.
In addition to the bands, Black Sabbath has also added new solo acts, including producer Andrew Watt, David Ellefson (former Megadeth), Mike Bordin of Faith No More, Vernon Reid of Living Colour, Whitfield Crane of Ugly Kid Joe and actor Jason Momoa, who will host the event. Other solo acts previously confirmed for the event include Billy Corgan, Chad Smith, Fred Durst, Jonathan Davis and Ghost’s Papa V Pepetua, Tobias Forge. Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine will serve as the program’s musical director.
Ozzy Osbourne Won’t Play a Full Black Sabbath Set
Speaking on his SiriusXM radio show, “Ozzy Speaks,” Osbourne said that because of his ongoing health issues, such as Parkinson’s disease, he won’t be able to play a full set with Sabbath at the concert. But, he promises “bits and pieces” of metal bliss.
“I’m not planning on doing a set with Black Sabbath but I am doing little bits and pieces with them,” he said on the show, which runs on his Ozzy’s Boneyard station. “I am doing what I can, where I feel comfortable.”
He added that he’s “trying to get back on my feet,” implying that he’s having walking problems. He added, “When you get up in the morning, you just jump out of bed. I have to balance myself, but I’m not dead. I’m still actively doing things.”
In a February 5 interview, Osbourne’s wife and manager, Sharon, gave a health update regarding Ozzy to The Sun, stating, “Parkinson’s is a progressive disease. It’s not something you can stabilize. It affects different parts of the body and it’s affected his legs. But his voice is as good as it’s ever been.”
Tickets for the concert, called “Back to the Beginning,” went on sale on Valentine’s Day, February 14. They sold out within 16 minutes of going on sale.
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