Geezer Butler Recalls ‘Shock’ Of Seeing Ozzy Osbourne’s Condition At Final Rehearsals: ‘I Didn’t Realize How Ill He Was’

In a new interview, Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler has opened up about the emotional experience of reuniting with his bandmates for the “Back To The Beginning” concert, revealing his “shock” at witnessing the true extent of Ozzy Osbourne‘s declining health during rehearsals. Speaking on his wife Gloria Butler‘s podcast, “Gabbing With Girlfriends“, Geezer provided a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the preparations for the band’s final performance.

Reflecting on the rehearsals leading up to the July 5 show, Butler described the moment Ozzy first joined him, guitarist Tony Iommi, and drummer Bill Ward.

“The only shocking bit was when Ozzy came in. I knew Ozzy was very ill, but I didn’t realize how ill he was,” Geezer admitted (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “We started — me, Tony and Bill — rehearsed for the first two days… And then on the third day, Ozzy came in and he was helped in by two helpers. And I was just shocked to see him like that.”

Despite his frail condition, Ozzy‘s spirit remained. “Of course, being Ozzy, he had to crack a few jokes and things. And they had like an armchair set aside so he could sit down to sing through the songs, ’cause he couldn’t stand up,” Butler recalled. He explained that due to Ozzy‘s limited stamina, they carefully selected the songs for the set. “Ozzy could only do it once, could only rehearse, go through the songs one time and then he’d leave and we’d sort of carry on.”

The reunion was particularly meaningful for Butler as it marked the end of a long period of silence with his “oldest friend.” He revealed that a falling out between their wives had kept them apart for years.

“Because you and Sharon [Osbourne] had fallen out, I didn’t see Ozzy at all for about six years after the last gig,” Geezer told his wife during the podcast. “Then you and Sharon [were] talking and everything was okay again, and it was great to finally get to talk to Ozzy again… It was just great to be back together again after all these years. I mean, he’s probably my oldest friend. I’ve known him for 57 years, so it was great to get back together again.”

While the sight of Ozzy‘s condition was jarring, Butler said the old band chemistry returned instantly, complete with familiar inside jokes. “When we get together, it’s almost like we’ve just seen each other the week before… There’s never any sort of egos or resentments for each other. It’s just a bit of a laugh fest when Tony picks up on taking the p*ss out of Bill as usual,” he shared.

Initially, Butler had some reservations about the show, primarily concerning the health of his bandmates. “I suppose I was just wondering how everybody would do. I knew Ozzy wasn’t in the best of health. I knew Bill hadn’t been well for a while,” he said. However, the significance of the location—Villa Park, home of his beloved football team Aston Villa—made his participation an immediate certainty. “I said ‘yeah’ straight away, ‘I’ll do it.'”

Reflecting on the event, which took place just 17 days before Ozzy Osbourne‘s passing, Geezer expressed profound gratitude for the way things unfolded. “I’m so glad it happened like that, that we finished on such a great note,” he concluded.