Mammoth frontman Wolfgang Van Halen has revealed new, specific details about his planned performance at the “Back To The Beginning” tribute concert for Ozzy Osbourne, sharing that he was slated to play guitar on Black Sabbath classics before a last-minute schedule change made his appearance impossible.
In a new interview with Metal Hammer, the acclaimed multi-instrumentalist explained the frustrating logistical conflict that forced him to pull out of the historic July 5 show in Birmingham, UK.
“With Back To The Beginning, things kept changing,” Van Halen said. “We had the flights and the hotel booked and paid for – with our own money, actually. At one point I was supposed to play guitar on [Black Sabbath song] Sweet Leaf, then it was Changes.”
He continued: “What happened was, I had this Creed tour, and they moved the rehearsal schedule back for Back To The Beginning, and we couldn’t make it at that point. It was a bummer!”
While the missed opportunity to perform alongside his heroes was a disappointment, Wolfgang was still able to pay a powerful tribute to Osbourne at another major event just last year. He was part of the all-star supergroup that performed at Ozzy‘s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in October 2024. He recalled his conversation with the Prince of Darkness after that performance.
“I got to shoot the shit with him for about 10, 15 minutes,” he remembered. “He gave me a hug and I asked, ‘Was that alright?’ He said it was ‘bloody brilliant’.”
It was during that time that Wolfgang was able to forge a unique, personal connection with Ozzy by sharing stories his late father, Eddie Van Halen, had told him about the infamous 1978 tour that featured both Van Halen and Black Sabbath.
“I asked him a couple questions about stories my dad had told me from when they toured together,” he continued. “I can’t give specifics, but just to know that my dad wasn’t making stuff up was a fun thing!”
While fans were denied the chance to see Wolfgang Van Halen take on “Sweet Leaf,” his heartfelt tribute at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame provided a cherished and “bloody brilliant” memory for both him and Ozzy. As he continues to forge his own legacy, his band Mammoth is set to release its third studio album, The End, on October 24.
Mammoth U.S. Tour Dates:
- Nov 1, 2025: Las Vegas, NV – House Of Blues – Las Vegas
- Nov 4, 2025: Dallas, TX – House Of Blues – Dallas
- Nov 5, 2025: Houston, TX – House Of Blues – Houston
- Nov 7, 2025: Orlando, FL – House Of Blues – Orlando
- Nov 8, 2025: Atlanta, GA – The Tabernacle
- Nov 9, 2025: Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore – Charlotte
- Nov 11, 2025: Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring
- Nov 14, 2025: Montclair, NJ – Wellmont Theatre
- Nov 15, 2025: McKees Rocks, PA – Roxian Theatre
- Nov 18, 2025: Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre
- Nov 19, 2025: Detroit, MI – The Fillmore – Detroit
- Nov 20, 2025: Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live!
- Nov 22, 2025: Onamia, MN – Grand Casino Mille Lacs Event Center
- Nov 23, 2025: Green Bay, WI – EPIC Event Center
- Nov 25, 2025: St. Louis, MO – The Factory – Chesterfield
- Nov 26, 2025: Chicago, IL – House Of Blues – Chicago
- Nov 28, 2025: Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom
- Dec 2, 2025: Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
- Dec 3, 2025: Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
- Dec 6, 2025: Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre
