Specific double of the band’s original formation has not been spoken since 2017 and situation was publicly exposed by both
On July 5 the original members of the Black Sabbath meeting for a final show. The presentation concludes a festival at Villa Park, in the English city of Birmingham, which will still have Metallic, Slayer, Alice in Chains, Panther, Gojiraamong other names.
It is known that since 2024 musicians publicly discuss the possibility of a goodbye performance. But how did this happen behind the scenes?
Sharon Osbournewife and businesswoman of the vocalist Ozzy Osbournesaid to Birmingham Live (via website Igor Miranda) that her husband was responsible for the initial gesture. According to her, the singer is in contact with the other members and served as a bridge.
“I left the decision in Ozzy’s hand. He is in constant contact with Tony [Iommi, guitarrista] and Geezer [Butler, baixista]. AND Bill [Ward, baterista] also. They talk all the time. ”
The charity of the event helped a lot in the decision made. The profits of the show will be destined for three charity institutions: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and AHREN CHILDREN’S HOSPICE.
“Ozzy said, ‘I’m going to do my last show, my farewell. Could you play Sabbath with me? ‘ He couldn’t do it alone. And everyone said yes. When they learned it was for charity, it was easy. ”

Reconciliation between Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler
Interestingly, reconciliation was necessary to make everything possible. In 2023, Ozzy Osbourne said the bassist Geezer Butler I didn’t talk to him anymore.
At the time, Rolling Stone UK (via Igor Miranda website), the singer revealed that he received support from guitarist Tony Iommi when he publicized his diagnosis of Parkinson. As for Butler, there was not even a phone call.
“Tony Iommi has supported me a lot since I revealed my illness. Geezer Butler didn’t give me a phone call. Not even a damn connection. When his son was born, I called him every night, even if we were at war with each other because of my resignation from Black Sabbath. Still I thought, ‘F*, he’s my friend, I’ll call him.’ But now I haven’t received a connection drug. ”
A few days later, the bassist stated that he made two contact attempts in 2019 and 2020. However, he was ignored in both situations. The conversations started by email with Sharon and Ozzy’s office, as he no longer had his former colleague’s direct phone.

The situation began to be discussed publicly because, months before Ozzy’s speech, Geezer said in his autobiography INTO THE VOID who was away from the singer due to a fight between his wife, Gloryand Sharon. The two have not been talked about since the last Black Sabbath concert until then, in 2017. He said:
“Ozzy and I are fine, only we are both commanded by our wives. He has a big heart and has always been by my side in difficult times. ”
To the website Ultimate Classic RockButler added:
“I don’t talk to Ozzy anymore. I doubt a lot [de uma reconciliação]. We didn’t fight, it was our wives. ”
Fortunately, reconciliation came. Now Black Sabbath may say goodbye to its original formation, as Bill Ward was absent from previous final shows in 2017.
The farewell
After their own members were favorable to the possibility, the original formation of the Black Sabbath will do a farewell show. The presentation is scheduled to take place on July 5 at Villa Park, a stadium in Birmingham, a city in England where the group was formed in the late 1960s.
The vocalist Ozzy Osbournethe guitarist Tony Iommithe bassist Geezer Butler and the drummer Bill Ward It will go to the stage together for the last time at a charity festival, with a series of artists and metal bands. See below the list of attractions:
- Black Sabbath
- Ozzy Osbourne (solo)
- Metallic
- Slayer
- Panther
- Gojira
- Alice in Chains
- Halestorm
- LAMB OF GOD
- Anthrax
- Mastodon
Additional guests:
- Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins)
- David Draiman (Disturbed)
- DUFF MCKAGAN
- Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit)
- LZZY HALE
- Jake E. Lee
- Jonathan Davis (Korn)
- Kk Downing
- Mike Bordin (Faith no More)
- Pope V Perpetua (Ghost)
- Rudy Sarzo
- Sammy Hagar
- Slash
- Sleep Token II (Sleep token)
- Tom Morello
- Wolfgang van Halen
The event will be charity, with all the profit for three charity institutions: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Awk Children’s Hospice. Tickets will be on sale from February 14.
See this photo on InstagramA publication shared by Black Sabbath (@blacksabbath)
Goodbye to Black Sabbath
All original members of the Black Sabbath They have manifested themselves in recent months in favor of performing a last show of the band. The vocalist Ozzy Osbournethe guitarist Tony Iommithe bassist Geezer Butler and even the drummer Bill Wardleft out of the last meeting, a farewell came to Ward, as the final tour between 2016 and 2017 was held with Tommy Clufetos in its function.
Among all involved, Ozzy Osbourne It is the one who is most debilitated. The vocalist could not even sing during his recent tribute in the Rock and Roll Hall of Famein the last month of October.
Diagnosed with Parkinson, the 76 -year -old singer has his movements committed after a domestic fall suffered in 2019. Severe tumble promoted a worsening in his column, operated in 2003 due to a quadcicyclo accident. His farewell tour as a solo artist, At More Tours IIneeded to be canceled definitively.
Tony Iommi76, was diagnosed with a lymphoma in 2012. The treatment was successful and in 2016 he revealed that cancer is in remission, but it is under constant accompaniment. The retirement of the Sabbath It was motivated especially for your health, as constant trips affect your immunity.
Bill Wardalso 76, dealing with health issues since the 1990s. In 1998, he stopped participating in two shows Black Sabbath due to a heart attack. One of the reasons for being disregarded from the meeting announced in 2011 was the fact that it 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 had a shoulder surgery. Already in 2017, he was hospitalized again with heart problems.
The only one to not deal with health problems, at least publicly, is Geezer Butler. However, the bassist some time announced his retirement from the world of music. Today, 75, he says he no longer has the disposition of other times for a fresh start – which had been tempted with the supergroup Deadland Ritual.
Rolling Stone Brazil Special: Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden on the cover: A Rolling Stone Brazil He launched an edition of unpublished collector for fans of the Heavy Metal band. The biggest albums, the list of shows in Brazil, the power of the group’s market and even a tour of the band’s plane you can see in the printed special, for sale at Profile store.

+++ Read more: Black Sabbath, Deep Purple or Led Zeppelin: Who’s most important according to Ian Gillan
+++ Read more: Black Sabbath’s album which is a “m*rda”, according to Tony Iommi
+++ Read more: When Black Sabbath was “thanks” to play “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple
+++ Follow Rolling Stone Brasil @rollingstonebrasil on Instagram
+++ Follow journalist Igor Miranda @igormirandasite on Instagram
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.