Heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath are gearing up for one last performance with their original lineup, but the weight of expectation is palpable, particularly for bassist Geezer Butler. The iconic quartet – Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward – will reunite on July 5th at Birmingham’s Villa Park for a special event titled “Back to the Beginning“.
This final show serves as both a farewell after fifty years of influential music and a benefit concert, with proceeds supporting Parkinson’s and children’s charities. While the cause is noble, the pressure is immense.
“I’m already having palpitations,” Butler confessed in a recent interview with The Guardian. “In fact, I had a nightmare last night. I dreamed everything went wrong on stage, and we all turned to dust. It’s important that we leave a great impression, since it’s the final time that people will experience us live. So it has to be great on the night.”
The reunion marks the first time the original four have shared a stage since 2005 and comes after months of careful planning and reconciliation. Ozzy Osbourne and drummer Bill Ward had reconnected, partly prompted by Osbourne‘s health challenges. Osbourne even joked that holding the gig at the home stadium of Aston Villa, the football club Butler avidly supports, helped seal the deal: “My first thought was: that’ll make Geezer f**king happier.”
Guitarist Tony Iommi admitted he initially had reservations about performing again after the band’s previous farewell tour. “I’m the one that said, ‘I don’t know if we should do it’, because we did a farewell tour and I didn’t want to get into that thing like all the other bands are doing, saying it’s the last tour and then reappearing again,” Iommi stated. “But I’ve been convinced, because we’re doing it for a reason. No one’s getting paid or anything,” Iommi admitted. The charitable aspect, combined with the opportunity to give fans a final moment with the original lineup, gave the event the genuine purpose he needed to back it.
Despite the charitable purpose and the members’ desire for closure, questions remain about the logistics, especially regarding Ozzy Osbourne‘s physical condition following his health struggles. “I think Ozzy might be on some kind of throne,” Iommi speculated about the stage setup. “But I’m in the dark as much as anybody else.”
Health issues on the side, Osbourne is totally sure about performing. “I’ll be there, and I’ll do the best I can. So all I can do is turn up,” he affirmed in a recent interview with The Guardian. He revealed the concert was conceived by his wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne, as “something to give me a reason to get up in the morning.”
As July 5th approaches, fans anticipate a historic and emotional night, marking the definitive end of Black Sabbath‘s legendary live career.
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