Band will have another commitment on the day, which forced Rob Halford to refuse a Sharon Osbourne offer, despite the excitement with the event
THE Judas Priest discovered too late Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath They will be at a farewell show in July 2025. So the band will not be able to participate in the festivities, the singer revealed Rob Halford the Metal Hammer.
A talent agent in Germany recruited the band to perform at the commemorative concert of another metal classic: Scorpions. The commitment will take place on the same day as the farewell OzzyJuly 5th. Sharon Osbourne still tried to find a solution and offered a round trip to England, but the Judas Priest refused.
Everything had already been announced and was a great event: Scorpions and Priest. Suddenly I get a call from Sharon saying: ‘RobbieI know you have this show with Scorpionsbut you may consider going to do something with Ozzy And the class? He would love to see you. ‘”
Halford considered the offer of Sharon To transport the band in a private jet between the concerts, but the singer didn’t want to risk something doesn’t work as expected.
Even with a private plane, something can go wrong, or the weather at that time of year can cause problems … I was absolutely devastated, “he said.
However, he said he was excited for the event, even if the Judas Priest It wasn’t there, as this reinforces Birmingham’s status like the heavy metal cradle. Just like the Black Sabbaththe Judas Priest formed in the city (and coincidentally, the former guitarist of the Priest, Kk Downingwill present yourself in the farewell).
In addition to Osbourne and Black Sabbaththe concert, entitled Back to the beginningwill have presentations of Metallic, Guns n ‘Roses, Tool, Slayer, Panther, Gojira, Alice in Chains and many others. The event will take place at Villa Park in Birmingham. “All my friends will be there too, great bands and artists,” he said Halford the Metal Hammer. “It’s a wonderful and epic moment for the Sabbath and the heavy metal. “
The vocalist may be losing the farewell to Black SabbathBut you should find some comfort to know that he was really one of the few who accompanied the band from the beginning. In 2020, he told the Rolling Stone What was it like to see the first shows of Sabbath in clubs in Birmingham. “I have vacancies to see them. I can only remember the first songs, like a cover of ‘Evil Woman’. There was still some free improvisation happening when they played live, but essentially intensity of the metal was dominating. “
He was also present when the original formation of the Black Sabbath said goodbye to the end of the tour No More Tours of Osbourne in 1992. At the time, Ozzy He was concerned about his health and decided to make a last presentation before reversing the decision a few years later with the tour RETIREMENT SUCKS.
THE Black Sabbath had met with Ronnie James Dio. When the idea of ​​opening the final shows of Osbourne, Dio left and Halford He became his singer for two shows. The rest of the band – the guitarist Tony Iommithe bassist Geezer Butler and the drummer Bill Ward – Then he joined Osbourne To the bis later that night. Halford also led the Sabbath by a short set in Camden, New Jersey, in 2004 when Ozzy It got sick.
Article published on May 9, 2025 at Rolling Stone. To read the original in English, click here.
+++ Read more: Tom Morello says he’s ‘honored’ to be a music director of the last Black Sabbath show
+++ Read more: Ozzy Osbourne will not have a complete show with Black Sabbath in the final presentation
+++ Read more: the two great controversies surrounding the final show of Black Sabbath
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.
