All members of the original formation have already expressed their support for the idea, but health obstacles would need to be overcome
All original members of the Black Sabbath In recent months, they have expressed their support for the band’s final show. The vocalist Ozzy Osbournethe guitarist Tony Iommithe bassist Geezer Butler and even the drummer Bill Wardleft out of the last meeting, agreed to a farewell counting on Ward, since the final tour was carried out with Tommy Clufetos in its function.
In an interview with Lifeminute (via Ultimate Classic Rock), Butler gave more details of what appears to already be a plan on Osbourne’s part. Weakened by Parkinson’s and other health problems, the singer wants to perform a farewell show and reunite the original Sabbath to play some songs.
“Ozzy was talking to me about doing his farewell show — which he still wants to do, because he’s dying to get out and play. And he suggested that, at his final show, the four of us [do Black Sabbath] we’d get on stage and maybe play three or four songs together. And that would be it, finished.”
The bassist reinforced that the occasion would be “unique”. In other words: just an appearance, in a show, without any type of tour.
The way Geezer transmitted the information, it is understood that Ozzy intends to hold an event that also includes his solo career. It would be something similar to what he did on the final dates of his first farewell tour, No More Toursin the early 1990s. At the time, he would retire due to a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis — which later turned out to be wrong.
What Tony Iommi says
In recent weeks, the topic has been addressed again by Tony Iommi, now in an interview with Guitar World. The only member to participate in all the activities of the legendary heavy metal group did not rule out the possibility, but reinforced that it depends on everyone being healthy enough.
He states:
“Who knows? You can never say ‘never’. And we never said ‘never’. It really depends on everyone’s health and what we expect from each other right now.”
There is, of course, a doubt related to the fact that they have all been away from the stage for some time. Furthermore, almost everyone has dealt with problems in recent times.
“Can we still play and sound the same together? I don’t know because it’s been a long time. It’s in the air. When that happens — if it happens — we’ll have to see what state everyone is in and if we can get on stage. If we can, it has to be good. Otherwise, I wouldn’t do it.”
Finally, Tony reinforced: it wouldn’t make sense to just appear in front of the public with instruments. You have to play — and play well.
“What can you prove by doing this? If it’s not right or as good as it was, then there’s no point in doing it. In my eyes, it has to be as good or better.”
Black Sabbath health problems
Among everyone involved, Ozzy Osbourne is the one who is most weakened. The vocalist didn’t even manage to sing during his recent tribute at the Rock and Roll Hall of Famelast October.
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s, the 75-year-old singer’s movements are compromised after a fall at home in 2019. The serious fall worsened his spine, which was operated on in 2003 due to a quad bike accident. His farewell tour as a solo artist, No More Tours IIhad to be canceled definitively.
Tony Iommi76, was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2012. Treatment was successful and in 2016 he revealed that the cancer is in remission, but he is under constant monitoring. It is said that the retirement of Sabbath was motivated in particular by her health, as constant traveling affects her immunity.
Bill Wardalso 76, has dealt with health issues since the 1990s. In 1998, he stopped participating in two of the Black Sabbath due to a heart attack. One of the reasons he was dropped from the reunion announced in 2011 was that he was out of shape, according to Osbourne. The singer said, in a statement published in 2015, that his colleague was in the hospital several times in 2013 and had undergone shoulder surgery. In 2017, he was hospitalized again with heart problems.
The only one not to deal with health problems, at least publicly, is Geezer Butler. However, the bassist announced his retirement from the music world some time ago. Now 75 years old, he says he no longer has the willingness he used to have for a fresh start — which had been attempted with the supergroup Deadland Ritual.
When Black Sabbath was “forced” to play Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water”
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
