Sharon Osbourne and Tony Iommi spoke to Planet Rock, in a suite overlooking the pitch at Villa Park to discuss the incredible Back To The Beginning show being staged there on July 5th. As well as what it means to be planning both Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne‘s final gig, the pair also discussed set lists, Bill Ward’s return to the band, the significance of Sabbath finishing their career in Aston, Geezer Butler‘s excitement at finally playing Villa Park, how Tom Morello helped book the bands, and much more, watch the interview below.
For more details about, Back To The Beginning, please click here.
15 Responses
Sharon is quite scary looking. She looks like Calabash from Clash of the Titans.
It is the Ozempic, people on it, get what is called “Ozempic face.”
I wrote a comment about this a couple of days back and nothing has appeared on screen. I don’t know why this is, but let me please try again.
When I heard that Black Sabbath were back again for one final time, I’ll be honest and say that you couldn’t get the smile off of my face. Black Sabbath are, and have been for many years, “My Band”. They have been my main go to when things have been a little rough and I needed a pick-me-up. They have helped remove a lot of pain and isolation, and like so many others around the world, Tony Iommi is the reason I picked up a guitar. I’m by no means the best, but I know enough to get me through and use it as a tool for relaxation.
I was, however, in two minds about trying to go. I have been in “Concert Retirement” since 2017. I also thought about Ozzy and his health. Here is a man that is 76-years-old, with Parkinson’s, and sadly will never get any better. I’ve been lucky enough to see him before age and health started getting the better of him. I’ve seen him jumping ten feet in the air, running around the stage like a man possessed and telling us to “Go f***in Crazy!!”
This is now no longer the case.
This led me to wonder whether or not I should go. This man, and this band, have been a major part of my life for about 28 years now. Anyone who knows me can tell you at least one thing about me: “His favourite band is Black Sabbath.” I think that having seen Ozzy at the last RNRHOF, I didn’t really want to see him in the condition he is in and wanted to keep the memories of when I have been able to see him, both solo and with Sabbath, as well as meeting him personally, at the front of my mind. That is what put me in two minds.
But then I thought about it again from a different point of view: “Go and say thank you and goodbye and all the best”. With that I started to warm towards making the 180 mile trip to Aston, Birmingham: THE birth place of Heavy Metal.
Then I saw the ticket prices…..
Golden Circle standing (I’m guessing the first 50-100 rows): £412.50
General Pitch Standing: £262.50
Seating: Prices from £197.50 – £662.50
That made my decision for me. It’s not that I couldn’t afford it, I’m just not prepared to pay that sort of money for a concert; even with a charitable side to things. I may still make a donation directly to the charity that is benefiting, but as well as tickets I also have to think about staying in a hotel for at least a couple of days and the cost of travelling. Times everything by two and things soon add up.
So with a heavy heart, I won’t be making the trip. It is quite the line-up: Sabbath, Ozzy solo, Metallica, Slayer, appearances from Jake E. Lee, KK Downing, Wolfgang Van Halen and Sammy Hagar to name a few. I just don’t understand why the prices have to be so high, but there you go. As for saying thank you, I have since realised that I have already thanked Ozzy personally: I did it when I met him in 2009 at one of his book signings for his autobiography. I held my hand out and simply said: “Thank you for everything.”
He replied: “You’re very welcome; God bless you sir.”
Black Sabbath, their music and influence, will live for a very long time. They are the inventors of this wonderful thing we all know and love called Heavy Metal. Without them, music would have been quite boring I am sure. And look at what it help to create; some of them (Metallica) are on the bill with them for one last show.
Sorry if this has gone on too long, but I had to get this out.
“Mr Tony Iommi; Mr Geezer Butler; Mr Bill Ward; Ozzy Osbourne: Thank you for everything – I, like many others, salute you!!”
Great post,
Just to let you know, your initial one, never made it into the back end for approval
Hopefully, they will film this event, so for the many who cannot afford to attend, we will get to see it.
Hello again Dana
Thank you for the comment and explanation about my initial post.
Don’t ask me why, but I got and have been getting the thought – from totally out of nowhere, “Ozzy Live Stream” for a few days now.
I guess we shall have to wait and see.
Yes, I was also wondering, if they may air it “live” somwehere, myself.
Excellent post, DJH. I love your passion for “your band”. Keep loving their music….it will live forever.
Hello Rattlehead
I’ve only just seen your comment so apologises for the delay (if you see this that is!)
Thank you for your kind words, they are much appreciated. I’m quite sure I will love their music for a very long time. I’ll admit that I haven’t listened to it much over the last couple of years or so, but when I do I’m always transported back to 1997 when I firstly got into Ozzy (after seeing him on a TV chat show that was on at the time here in England) and then learnt about this band he used to be in.
Then I heard them…..and the rest as they say is history.